Changes Coming to Alberta Bighorn Regulation

Nice to WSFAB on top of this! From their Facebook Page:


Are you concerned about proposed changes to Alberta's sheep hunting regulations rolled out by AESRD at the AGMAG earlier this month? Do you feel that no changes should take place until proper scientific evidence and data is brought forth supporting the need for change? If so, then let Kyle Fawcett, Minister of Environment, know that making these changes, without first proving a need for change, is unacceptable. To help you do this, WSFA has prepared a letter that you can easily insert your name, print off, sign and mail in to Mr, Fawcett. The letter is availble at the following link http://www.wsfab.org/pdfs/esrd4.pdf If you agree with this, and are as concerned as we are that the face of sheep hunting may unnecessarily change forever, then please take a few minutes to send him this letter. Mr. Fawcett's contact information is available at: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home

Pack Dogs on the Radio

The CBC Eyeopener interview I did on pack dogs this morning is up. http://www.cbc.ca/eyeope…/episode/…/12/01/hunting-with-dogs/

More on Pack Dogs and Broken Promises

Below is my latest letter regarding pack dogs. I know I've asked my friends way too many times to send in your own letters but I'm asking again. We have a new minister of ESRD and he needs to hear from pack dog supporters. Even if you just take a few seconds to say you support pack dogs it would help the cause a lot. The addresses to send it to are below. Just copy and paste them into your email. Thanks for all the support everyone...it is making a difference. I've done a ton of newspaper, radio and magazine interviews this week.


Dear Honourable Kyle Fawcett:
I am writing to you as a voter in Alberta and a pack dog proponent that has been a victim of broken promises and bureaucratic shuffle both by your predecessors and your staff for the past five years. It is my hope that with Mr. Prentice's promises of a new government, that our elected officials' words will actually mean something, especially when uttered in the most sacred of all political venues, the legislature. As the new Minister of ESRD, it now falls on your shoulders to clean up the mess left by your predecessors and to get control of a staff that is guided more by personal agenda than the direction of the Minister and the wishes of Albertans.
For the past five years I have been involved in a campaign to have pack dogs legalized in Alberta and during that time I have been told by your staff that they were working diligently on it, Ms. McQueen responded to Ms. Blakeman's question in the legislature regarding pack dogs with, "
Mrs. McQueen: Yeah. I was actually surprised, hon. member. For those that don’t know about it, with regard to the pack dogs that actually just wasn’t allowed. So what I’ve directed the April 15, 2013 Resource Stewardship RS-299 department is: this is something that’s just common sense and that should be allowed, and let’s get moving on this. I was surprised that that didn’t happen already. It’s something I certainly wasn’t aware of. When those that were advocating for it brought it to my attention and to the ministry’s attention – in my mind it’s a nobrainer, and let’s just move on it," and Minister Campbell posted on his FaceBook page, "I've received a number of messages requesting the use of pack dogs for hunting. I personally don't see an issue with it and it makes a lot of sense.
We are in the initial stages of consultations to review and renew all the regulations in the Wildlife Act … including those governing the use of pack dogs.
Unless we hear some strong opposition during these consultations, we will be allowing hunters to use pack dogs.
The change would allow big game hunters to use dogs to carry supplies while still prohibiting dogs from being used for hunting."
Yet, despite all these assurances that pack dogs will be permitted, your staff recently responded to the Calgary Metro News with "Duncan MacDonnell, a public affairs officer with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, said the province plans to revisit the law through a series of public consultations over the next nine months but currently the evidence isn’t conclusive when it comes to dogs and bear safety.
“Some experts suggest the presence of a dog can reduce bear encounters while other say that, in certain situations, the presence of a dog can antagonize a bear,” he said."
How did we go from this being a no-brainer to this? There is an obvious disconnect between your staff and the direction of the Minter. I would be very keen to see this evidence that a trained pack dog can antagonize a bear. I've supplied your department with reams of anecdotal evidence regarding pack dogs reducing human/bear conflict and I have seen nothing to the contrary from your staff. I read nothing more into Mr. MacDonnell's comments than yet another attempt to bury this issue in a pile of bureaucracy. The facts are that pack dogs are permitted in every other North American jurisdiction that has mountain hunting opportunities, there are no documented cases of a hunter accompanied by a pack dog being mauled or killed, dogs are already permitted in the same area with hikers, bird hunters and cougar hunters and according to your own staff this law was never intended to apply to pack dogs but only to pursuit dogs.


This change has the support of Alberta's largest conservation organization, the Alberta Fish and Game Association and during the past five years, hundreds of letters and emails have been sent to your two predecessors from Albertans in support of this change. I have done several radio, newspaper and magazine interviews recently regarding this issue and I have written about it in my own magazine columns. The recent tragic death of Mr. Cross drives home just how dangerous the mountains can be, especially for a solo hunters. The power is in your hands to save future Albertans from a similar fate. I have sought legal advice that says this change could be made immediately without opening the Wildlife Act but your staff seems to disagree. To me this is just more bureaucracy at its finest but if that is indeed the case, the power is within your hands today to issue a Ministerial Order of Non-Enforcement and allow Albertans to use pack dogs immediately, increasing their safety. How many more people must die?


Your staff seems to find time to further personal agendas like banning spears and atlatls but they can't seem to make time to increase personal safety for Alberta hunters despite Minister McQueen telling them to make it happen immediately. There is something wrong here.
I've attached a backgrounder on pack dogs to help you better understand this issue and I've attached a couple letters from pack dog users in the NWT and Yukon that really drive home the increased safety these dogs bring to the mountains.

Thank you for taking the time to review this material.


Yours truly,
T.J. Schwanky

esrd.minister@gov.ab.ca; highwood@assembly.ab.ca; Edmonton.Centre@assembly.ab.ca; Danielle.Smith@assembly.ab.ca; draytonvalley.devon@assembly.ab.ca; west.yellowhead@assembly.ab.ca; travis.ripley@gov.ab.ca; minister.energy@gov.ab.ca; ron.bjorge@gov.ab.ca; premier@gov.ab.ca; calgary.klein@assembly.ab.ca

Home From Namibia

Outfitter: Leopard Legend Hunting Safaris

PH: L'wyk Jansen Van Vuuren

Sesfontein Conservancy, Namibia

Rifles: Rocky Mountain Rifle, 375 H&H, Zeiss 2.5-10x50 Victory HT, Handloads with 250gr GMX
Rocky Mountain Rifle, 7mm Rem Mag, Zeiss Conquest HD 3-15x42, Hornady Superformance 139gr GMX
Footwear: Lowa Z-8S GTX and Lowa Renegade.

We had originally planned to go to Tanzania this year but those plans kind of fell apart at the last minute so we were left scrambling to find a hunt. We heard that L'wyk had gained the rights to hunt the Sesfontein Conservancy in Namibia and he had an opening in July so we jumped at this unique opportunity. The conservancy hadn't had a full-time outfitter in it since 2009 so there was the promise of some exceptional heads as well.

Getting to this remote part of Namibia took us nearly 5 days from the time we left home but we were greeted with a very well-appointed bush camp with all of the ammenties including flush toilet and shower in our tent. L'wyk's wife Julene joined us and she definitely kept us well fed with local game.


We arrived late in the day and only had time for a quick drive near camp but we saw lots of springbok, including one that was close to 16 inches. L'wyk assured us we'd see plenty in that class. We also saw some gemsbok before settling into camp for our first night.





The following morning we headed deep into the 650,000 acre conservancy and found several large herds of springbok. I took a great ram at a little over 200 yards with the 7mm.


Once we had him on the truck, we went to check out a few other herds and found a really tall ram for Vanessa. After a lengthy stalk, she put the big ram down with a perfect heart shot. We decided to head back to camp to drop the springbok off before heading out for the afternoon.

Near one of the springs, we came upon five desert lions, including two very well-maned males. Later we also saw a puff adder that had just caught a bird and we got some great photos and video. We saw many more springbok, Hartman's zebra, ostrich and we tried a stalk on a very nice steenbuck but we just couldn't get close enough for a shot. As we were heading back to camp, we spotted several giraffe, including a spectacular, very dark male. We had a plan for the following day.

We were up early the next morning and with a truck full of help we headed out in search of the big giraffe. It was around 10 in the morning before we finally located him and he was right in the middle of a wide open plain with several females. It wasn't a great scenario but we managed to get within about 175 yards under the cover of a few mopane trees. I felt steady on the sticks but my attempt at a high neck shot resulted in a clean miss. I was devestated as the giraffe took off at a gallop. We followed in hot pursuit and the big male stopped for one look back. When L'wyk let me know he was 280 yards away I knew I was going to have to opt for a body shot, something I wasn't keen on doing. The 250-grain bullet hit the giraffe hard and he ran for 20 yards before crashing to the ground. I was very relieved.

It took the better part of four hours to get the huge beast skinned out and cut into manageable-sized pieces. We loaded half of the meat on the Land Cruiser and headed to town. Our first stop was the school where we dropped off two quarters and the remainder was taken to the conservancy office. The people in town were so happy to see us with all of the meat. The conservancy truck followed us back out to pick up the remainder of the meat and the intestines and organs. We hunted the remainder of the afternoon had had a couple blown stalks on gemsbok and ostrich. Stalking game in the wide open Namib desert was proving to be a real challenge.

The following day we tried to stalk ostrich a half dozen or more times and ended up getting busted every time. Of all the game we encountered, the ostrich were by far the toughest to get near. Around lunch time, we spotted several ostrich in a wide-open plain and decided to try and make a play. We walked all the way around a mountain but were disappointed to find the closest we could get was 600 yards. We'd brought a bipod along in case we encountered some long shots and as Vanessa snuggled in behind the 7mm, she felt confident she could make the 622 yard shot. It seemed to take forever for the bullet to get there but the big male ostrich raised his wings, stumbled backward a couple steps and fell to the ground. It was indeed a perfect heart shot that broke his far side leg on the exit.

Late that afternoon we stalked a herd of Hartman's zebra and I took down a big stallion. When we reached him, we noticed that he had been attacked by a lion a day or two earlier and he had huge pieces of his rump and flank torn out. It was doubtful that he would have lived from the injuries. It was undoubtedly the lions we'd seen a couple days previous that had caused the injuries.

On the way back to camp, we spotted a huge springbok ram that Vanessa decided to take. He led us on a bit of a chase over a mountain but she ended up with a 16-inch plus ram.

The following day we drove to a massive plain to the north and saw hundreds of springbok and good numbers of giraffe, zebra, ostrich and gemsbok. We tried unsuccessfully to stalk some ostrich and gemsbok. While driving through a particularly rugged canyon, we spotted a really big klipspringer that I managed to put down. He ended up measuring 4 1/4 inches with huge bases.

Later in the afternoon we saw some elephant along a dry riverbed and then we saw an old bull gemsbok that had worn his horns down considerably. Vanessa shot him in the heart at a little over 200 yards. While not overly long, he was very heavy and quite old.

The following morning it was Vanessa's turn to try for zebra and she shot a beautiful stallion late in the morning.

On the way back to camp we made a couple more plays on some ostrich and the closest we could get was 535 yards, so I decided to take the shot. I hit the big bird on the shoulder and he went down on the spot. He was definitely my hardest earned trophy of the trip.

Very early the following morning Vanessa got a quick opportunity at a big spotted hyena and managed to hit him right in the shoulder. We saw numerous spotted hyena and brown hyena tracks every day. Never have I seen an area so thick with hyena.

That afternoon we stalked a group of zebra stallions. After following them for about 30 minutes, one of the stallions decided he'd had enough of us and started to charge us from about 300 yards. When he got to about 30 yards, he stopped and I shot him square in the chest. He must have figured we were lions to act so aggressively. We saw some fresh rhino tracks at a spring but never did see the rhino.

There had been a couple of brown hyena coming into camp every night and while leaving early the following morning we saw one just outside of camp and I wasted no time putting him down with the 7mm.

Late that afternoon it was the PH's turn to shoot and he took a big Hartman's zebra stallion.

On our final day in the conservancy, gemsbok were on the hit list and we found a herd of 17 late in the morning.There was one particularly good bull that caught our attention. They were in a horseshoe canyon that there appeared to be no way out of but much to our surprise, they scaled the near vertical wall and I ended up taking a 400 yard shot just before they reached the top. I hit the bull a bit high and thankfully he made it over the mountain and down the other side where I was able to put him down with another shot.

This was our second trip to Namibia and our second conservancy hunt and it won't be our last. The Sesfonein Conservancy is very open and you see game all day long. While there we tried meat from everything we took except for the hyena and were surprised at how good the giraffe was. The klipspringer was likely my favourite but all African antelope tastes so good. We delivered several thousand pounds of meat to the village and inject some much needed cash into their economy. Namibia is a very safe country and for those looking for a taste of true wild Africa, these conservancy hunts really are an economical way to do it.

No New World Record for Alberta

From Boone and Crockett
Found Bighorn Misses World's Record Mark
MISSOULA, Mont.--A long winter buried in snow apparently swelled the horns of a bighorn sheep that died of natural causes. The ram was found this spring by Alberta wildlife officials and green-scored as a potential new World's Record.

Following the Boone and Crockett Club's mandatory 60-day drying period, the ram's horns lost an astounding four inches in net score. The original scorers reconvened to find that every measurement was smaller on both horns.
Still, with a final score of 205-7/8, the ram ranks No. 5 all time. It has been entered into Boone and Crockett records on behalf of the citizens of Alberta.
The reigning World's Record, taken by a hunter in Alberta in 2000, stands at 208-3/8.
"Though it's not a World's Record, it is another tremendous specimen symbolic of continuing, successful conservation programs. For that, we congratulate Alberta wildlife officials," said Richard Hale, chairman of the Club's Big Game Records Committee.
Hale added, "Biologists speculate this latest ram died of old age in early summer 2013, so the horns were exposed to the elements through the remainder of summer, all fall and all of a wet, snowy winter. Apparently, the horns absorbed an incredible amount of moisture, because four inches of shrinkage during the 60-day drying period is very rare."
The Boone and Crockett Club, long recognized as the leading authority on big-game recordkeeping, requires air drying all trophies at habitable room temperature for 60 days immediately prior to final scoring. It's a rule made precisely for this kind of situation.
"By standardizing the scoring process as much as possible, we ensure the credibility of our records. That's very important for the biologists who use these data to compare and contrast outstanding habitat, strong recruitment into older age classes, sustainable harvest objectives and other elements of sound wildlife management. It's also important to sportsmen in that all trophies are being treated as equally as possible," said Hale.

Lowa joins the Outdoor Quest family

Outdoor Quest TV is proud to announce that Lowa has joined the Outdoor Quest Team as our official footwear sponsor. We have all been long-time Lowa fans and couldn't think of a better fit for our style of hunting. I can't wait to try out the new Z-8S GTX on our trip to Namibia in July. Lowa's Task Force line is a real hit with law enforcement and military across the world and it looks like this line should be a perfect fit for much of the hunting we do. We are honored to be able to work with such a quality company.

The Tale of a Lion

The vultures circling overhead were our first indication that something was amiss. We'd been down this same trail the previous afternoon and everything had been normal but now, it was obvious that something had not made it through the dark African night. As we drove closer we could see a bloody corpse under a thorn bush. It was a large male blesbok and most of the hind quarters had been consumed. Our professional hunter, Gielie and tracker Jefferi carefully surveyed the scene, like two CSI detectives looking for clues. Finally, Gielie looked up and said, "Lion kill."

We were half way through a 14-day South African safari with AAA Serapa Safaris and had taken some great plains game trophies already including black wildebees, Burchell's zebra, red lechwe, sable, blesbok, steenbok and impala but so far lion had eluded us....well kind of. We'd seen plenty of tracks from male lions and one huge male the previous day but it was lioness that was on Vanessa's list. AAA Serapa Safaris is a true oasis in the remote South African savannah that offers hunting for over 30 species of plains game and four of the big five African animals can be found on the massive 46,000 acre property but it is their incredible lion hunting that they a world renown for. While they offer some of the best maned lions in Africa, they offer the more affordable option of hunting female lions as well. All of the lion hunts are tracking hunts on foot and shots typically come at very close range. Lion or lioness, it is the true dangerous game experience.

 

"Looks like a couple young males and maybe a female," Gielie said to no one in particular. "Let's drive around a bit and see if we can sort the tracks out."

An hour later we located two tracks and Gielie felt that it was a young male and a female traveling together. "Are you ready?" A broad smile enveloped his face as he looked Vanessa squarely in the eye.

Vanessa reached for the .375 H&H and climbed down off the truck. Gielie figured the tracks had been made some time during the night but he felt that following them was worth a try. He carefully explained the plan to Vanessa and went over shot placement in detail for a variety of scenarios and then placed his huge hand on her shoulder in a reassuring manner. Vanessa dialed the scope down to its lowest power, chambered a round and slid the safety rearward. She took a position behind Gielie and Jefferi. The hunt was on.

For the next several hours the track led us through the thick cover. At times it was simple to follow and at others it took the skill of both Gielie and Jefferie to unravel. While I've had the pleasure to see some masterful trackers at work, they paled in comparison to the skill these two men possessed. Occasionally, they would lose the track in the hard ground but after a few minutes of circling, Gielie would whistle for us to join him. He wanted Vanessa close behind. If we encountered the lioness, it would likely be close and the possibility of a charge was real. While I was just the cameraman on the hunt, my heart was racing rapidly and every sense in my body was at the highest alert. While every Capstick cliche about hunting lions in the long grass raced through my head, I kept reminding myself that this was the real deal. We were hunting an animal that would just as soon see us dead as alive and it was well enough armed to accomplish that in the blink of an eye.

Gielie motioned Vanessa over. "They lied down here," he said in a hushed tone.

In the sand, even I could see the unmistakeable imprint of the lion's hip and her long tail. There was only one track now and even though no one said it, we all knew we were close. As I rounded a thorn bush, I saw Gielie motion to Vanessa to come to him. He was extending the legs on the shooting sticks. I searched frantically to find the lion and then there she was, bedded deep in the shadows, only 20 yards away. Her yellow eyes showed disdain and seemed to stare right into the depths of my soul. Her tail twitched and she emitted a low guttural growl just to further emphasize her disapproval at our presence. Vanessa had the rifle trained on her but there was no shot. The lion was lying with her butt to us. Gielie whistled. The lion growled.

The stand off lasted for several minutes. Vanessa's eye never left the scope and the lioness' icy stare remained locked on us. Suddenly, she rose and walked out the back of the bush she'd been lying in. Gielie grabbed the shooting sticks and urged Vanessa to follow. The lioness was now out of sight and we held our breath at each step. We knew she was close. But how close? Then, movement about 40 yards distant caught our eye. The lioness was standing in the open. "Shoot her in the shoulder," Gielie commanded.

The lioness lurched forward at the report of the shot and then disappeared from the small window of view that we had. Everyone was momentarily silent. The shot had looked good....excellent in fact but the prospect of following up the lion now faced us. There was a good chance she'd be lying in wait, ready to pounce. Hopefully we'd see her before she had that opportunity.

We moved slowly but deliberately. Vanessa was right at Gielie's side, rifle at the ready. While Gielie carried his rifle too, he had made it clear to Vanessa earlier that he would only shoot if someone's life was in imminent danger. This was Vanessa's hunt to finish. Suddenly, a bush off to our left moved and the tawny form of the lion revealed itself in the shadows. She was rising to her feet and readying for the charge. Gielie grabbed Vanessa's arm and pulled her to the right. She brought the 375 to her shoulder. While a tired cliche, time did seem to stand still at that moment. The lioness dropped her haunches in preparation to charge. We paced the distance off later....it was exactly eight yards. One bound and the lioness would be on top of us. She let out another low, guttural growl. Her face was covered in blood from feasting on the blesbok we'd found earlier. The report of the .375 started time in motion again. The 250-grain bullet struck the lioness perfectly in the heart and while her mind urged her forward, her body betrayed her wishes and she slumped to the ground. I took my first breath it what seemed like several minutes. Vanessa had fulfilled her dream of tracking and taking a lion on foot.

AAA Serapa Safaris is a true dichotomy. On one side you have the very traditional style hunting that involves tracking animals on foot with the most skilled professional hunters and trackers in all of Africa. The property is massive at 46,000 acres, the list of available species long, the trophy quality exceptional and the hunting very challenging. On the other hand you have a five-star lodge in the middle of the dry South African savannah. Owners Apie and Yolande Reynikie built this lodge with couples and families in mind. Hunters are housed in individual chalets that feature full bathrooms with soaker tubs that overlook the waterhole where a variety of animals are regular visitors. The main lodge features sun deck, swimming pool, library, billiards room, spa and a menu and wine selection to match. For the non hunters a variety of activities including horseback riding and wildlife photography are available.

We hunted equally hard for the final seven days of our trip, although none of the hunts were quite as tense as that of lion. I managed to take a great old eland bull after two long days of tracking as well as a very nice nyala and waterbuck. Both of these animals really allowed Gielie and Jefferi demonstrate their tracking skills. We spotted both animals as they were running off and in both instances, they were able to unravel the myriad of tracks and follow the individual animals for several hours before we were able to get in position for a shot. It truly was the most remarkable tracking I'd ever seen and it really added to the experience of an already incredible hunt.

Vanessa rounded out the hunt with a great springbok. While springbok were very plentiful, stalking them on foot and getting into range for a shot off sticks was another matter totally. But, after several blown stalks, Vanessa managed to put one down with her 30-06.

Our hunt with AAA Serapa Safaris was truly the hunt of a lifetime and is definitely a destination we will return to.

Check them out at:

www.lionhuntingsafaris.com

info@lionhuntingsafaris.com

or contact their Canadian representatives, Mark and Cindy Zimmermann directly at mczimmermann@hotmail.ca

Rifles

Rocky Mountain Rifle 375 H&H, 250-grain Hornady GMX handloads, Zeiss 1.2-5x36 Duralyte scope

Tikka T3 semi custom (Rocky Mountain Rifles), Hornady Superformance 165-grain GMX, Zeiss 2-10x42 HD5 with Rapid Z 600 reticle

Editing Final Episode for 2014

Just editing the final episode of Outdoor Quest TV for the 2014 season. I take a giant black wildebeest and a great impala with AAA Serapa Safaris. We also follow Mark Zimmermann as he takes an absolute monster of a gemsbok. Mark and Cindy ...are the Canadian booking agents for AAA Serapa Safaris. Then I talk about bullet selection and why we are such fans of the Hornady GMX for African game. Don't forget that all-new episodes of Outdoor Quest TV started airing this week on Wild TV.

What is that band on your barrel?

The most common question I get here at Outdoor Quest TV is what is that band on the barrel of my rifle. I wish I had some scientific answer but it's nothing more than a few wraps of electrical tape. I like to keep the end of my barrel taped up when hunting to keep debris out and this is just a convenient place to store some spare tape! Next week on Outdoor Quest TV we will be answering a bunch of viewer questions and sharing some tips for shooting better. Oh ya, and Vanessa shoots a big Alberta whitetail with her arm in a cast.

Broken Promises

See what Jet has to say about #brokenpromises

Pack Dogs and Broken Promises

Dear Friends, I am asking for your help to hold one of our politicians accountable for a promise she made to hunters in Alberta. On April 15, 2013, the following discussion took place in the legislature.

 

 "Ms Blakeman: There you go. Okay. I’m going to move on from the climate emissions and the CCS to a couple of odds and ends here. You and a number of us

 received questions about whether pack dogs were going to be allowed. I think that falls under SRD. Have you done anything about that?

 

 Mrs. McQueen: Yeah. I was actually surprised, hon. member. For those that don’t know about it, with regard to the pack dogs that actually just wasn’t allowed. So what I’ve directed the April 15, 2013 Resource Stewardship RS-299 department is: this is something that’s just common sense and that should be allowed, and let’s get moving on this. I was surprised that that didn’t happen already. It’s something I certainly wasn’t aware of. When those that were advocating for it brought it to my attention and to the ministry’s attention – in my mind it’s a nobrainer, and let’s just move on it.

 

 Ms Blakeman: Good."

 

 Sadly, it seems Mrs. McQueen was not good to her word and nothing has been done to legalize pack dogs in Alberta. I am asking if you would please take a few minutes from your busy schedules to send a letter to the new Minister of ESRD, the Honourable Robin Campbell and ask him to right this injustice immediately. Below is a sample email that you are free to use or please feel free to send him your own thoughts. Your email should go to: west.yellowhead@assembly.ab.ca; travis.ripley@gov.ab.ca; minister.energy@gov.ab.ca; draytonvalley.devon@assembly.ab.ca; ron.bjorge@gov.ab.ca; ifgazeley@gmail.com; ianstuart@cciwireless.ca; highwood@assembly.ab.ca; calgary.elbow@assembly.ab.ca; Edmonton.Centre@assembly.ab.ca and your own MLA.

 

 Sample letter:

 

 Dear Honourable Robin Campbell:

 

 I was very disheartened to learn that nothing has been done by your staff to legalize the use of pack dogs in Alberta despite promises by the previous minister of ESRD, the Honourable Diana McQueen that it would happen. I hope you will take actions to rectify this situation immediately and not allow it to become further mired down in bureaucracy. As Mrs. McQueen said, the use of pack dogs by hunters in Alberta is a no-brainer. Please do not allow this to be yet another broken promise made to the voters of this province.

 

 Yours truly,

 

 Your name

 Address

 phone number

 

 PLEASE SHARE THIS Email!!!!!!

 

Thanks,

T.J. Schwanky

 

Calgary Boat and Sportsmen Show is getting close!

WET N’ WILD WATERSPORTS

 

 

CALGARY, AB (January 23, 2014) – The doors to the 2014 Calgary Boat and Sportsmen’s Show will open at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 6^th and remain open through until 5:00 pm Sunday, February 9^th at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park.

 

This is one of the best opportunities if you are in the market for a new boat or outdoor related product,” says Laurie Paetz, Alberta Show Manager, “manufacturers will have all their new products on display and are offering some of the best prices of the season, ensuring you are geared up and ready to go as a soon as the ice is off the water.”

 

The Show floor will have over 20 million dollars of marine products and accessories on display, making it an outdoor enthusiasts dream.  The product range is extensive, everything from ATV’s, boat trailers, and camo, to water toys, tents and hunting gear. The selection of boats and water related products is truly mind is blowing.  Whether you are in the market for a new canoe or speed boat or anything in between you will find it on the Show floor. The Fishin’ Hole’s 33 Hour Savings Fishtacular is sure to be a hit, will all the newest fishing gear and outdoor products on display.  Many of the major fishing manufacturers will be on hand with product demonstrations and show specials.

 

For those who want to encourage their kids to develop a love of fishing and the great outdoors, be sure to stop by the Trigger X Kid’s Fishing Pond where for a $2.00 donation, kids under the age of 12 can fish for live trout.  All proceeds from this catch and release program benefit the Sarcee and Calgary Fish & Game Association.

 

There are countless educational experiences and interactive exhibits for members of the whole family including the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association area, the Alberta Birds of Prey informational sessions, Safari Jeff’s “Living Wild” interactive presentation, chainsaw sculpting demonstrations put on by “Chainsaw Jack”, and Derek Hatfield’s insider account of sailing around the world as a member of the Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges Canadian Team. There really is something for everyone, no matter in what area their outdoor interests lie.

 

Friday, February 7^th will be the one opportunity for show goers to meet Troy Landry from the Swamp People® television series on HISTORY®.  There will autograph signing following by a Q & A session. Check the website or on site signage for session times.

 

If you are looking to book an outdoor adventure trip then be sure to wander through the travel and tourism area.  Not only are there hunting and fishing travel destinations but well versed representatives from a number of areas that cater to outdoor adventure and lifestyle. Find something that  strikes a chord with your adventurous side whether it is a family house boating trip, safari, sea kayaking adventure or a hunting or fishing expedition, there are tons to choose from right at the Show.

 

(more)

 

 

 

Throughout the four day show our impressive line-up of feature presenters will educate and entertain audiences with seminars on a great cross section of hunting, fishing and outdoor lifestyle topics.  They include;  Brad Fenson, Outdoor Writer and Photographer, Claudio Ongaro, one of Canada’s largest Waterfowl Outfitters and expert outdoorsman, as

well as TJ Schwanky and Richard Mellon, co-hosts of Outdoor Quest TV.  Collectively these gentlemen have nearly a century of real life experience and never shy away from the opportunity to share their wealth of knowledge with fellow outdoorsman and women.

 

Be sure to enter to win this year’s Grand Prize, the Husqvarna Ultimate Outdoor Power Package valued at $3,000 along with a $2500 credit to spend on anything at the Show.  This grand prize is valued at $5500 and provided by Husqvarna and Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows.

 

Purchase your tickets on-line at ticketmaster.ca or present your WIN card at the door and receive $2.00 off the regular Adult admission price.