Page 1 News For The Garden State Prsrt Std U.S. POSTAGE Outdoors Enthusiast PAID Newark, NJ Permit No. 973 Vol. 47, No. 8 August 2014 One Dollar Organized May 24, 1935. Serving All the Sportsmen & Women of NJ

Counties: Atlantic - Bergen - Burlington - Camden - Cape May - Cumberland - Essex - Gloucester - Hudson - Hunterdon - Mercer - Middlesex - Monmouth - Morris - Ocean - Passaic - Salem - Somerset - Sussex - Union - Warren NJ FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Assoc. of Field Trial Clubs of NJ - NJ Bass Federation - Jersey Coast Anglers Assoc. - NJ Beach Buggy Assoc. - NJ Chap. of Nat. Wild Turkey Fed. - NJ Ducks Unlimited - NJ State Council Trout Unlimited - NJ Trappers Assoc. - NJ Waterfowlers Assoc. - United Bow Hunters of NJ

Waterfowl Big Cats in New Jersey? Numbers

by Martin Kurtyka Looking Just There have been many recent report- Ducky ed sightings of big cats, i.e., cougars, in the eastern half of the United States, including New Jersey. I personally have had half a The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dozen people tell me that they have seen in early July released its report on 2014 cougars here in the Garden State. “Trends in Duck Breeding Populations,” Item: A lifelong Sussex County resi- based on surveys conducted in May and dent and outdoorsman told me that he early June. Total populations were esti- watched a cougar on his family’s farm in mated at 49.2 million breeding ducks in broad daylight sometime during the 1980s. the surveyed area. This estimate repre- The cat ran across a field and climbed a sents an 8 percent increase from last tree, where it sat for about an hour. His year’s estimate of 45.6 million birds, and mother also saw the cat. is 43 percent higher than the 1955-2013 Item: A farmer who lives just north of long-term average. This continues a High Point in New York State tells me that three-year trend of exceptional water his trail camera has captured pictures of conditions and population numbers for cougars. many species. Item: A friend who is a retired biolo- “It looks like another good water- gy teacher and life-long outdoorsman fowl breeding year for a good portion of recently had a cougar run across the road the prairies and the boreal forest,” said just in Pennsylvania, just across the Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall. Dingman’s Ferry Bridge, perhaps 50 yards “Precipitation in the form of snow and in front of his car in broad daylight. rain has provided sufficient water to fill Item: A friend saw a road-kill cougar important wetlands in key breeding habi- on Route 23 several years ago. Police were tats. We hope this will result in good pro- duction and another great flight of birds at the scene. Are mountain lions taking up permanent residence in New Jersey? Not so fast, accord- Item: A Morris County newspaper’s migrating in the fall. DU and its partners ing to the experts. Greg Hume photo, courtesy wikipedia.com. sporting column reported another cougar continue to work hard to protect and road kill on Route 80 near Berkshire restore habitat to provide for the needs of Valley. when the cat was shot and killed in 1938 in cougars aren’t still seen in the northeast,” these birds and so much more. While we These are just a few of the anecdotal Maine. Although the eastern cougar was he remarked. “Cougar sightings are com- still have much work to do in delivering reports from credible sources. But does listed on the endangered species list with monly reported in New England—50 a habitat and securing key conservation that mean we have cougars breeding in the the first Endangered Species Act in 1973, year in Vermont alone—but wildlife offi- policies for sustaining these populations, Garden State or one of our neighbors? the US Fish and Wildlife Service has since cials say that most of them are actually we are heartened by the good results we There are some documented cases as declared the species extinct. (Editor’s note: bobcat, lynx, and even large housecats.” have seen in the past few years.” well. A mature male cougar was killed on see this publication’s editorial in the April, Still, some of these sightings really The main determining factor for the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Connecticut 2011 edition.) are cougars: “Cougars do turn up,” duck breeding success is wetland and in July of 2011. This cat weighed 140 According to Mark McCollough, the McCollough says, but in the 110 con- upland habitat conditions in the key pounds and was born in southwestern Fish and Wildlife Service’s lead scientist firmed instances of a cougar being seen in breeding landscapes of the prairies and South Dakota. It roamed 1,500 miles to the for the Eastern cougar, hunting the white- the eastern U.S. or Canada, all were traced the boreal forest. Conditions observed east, spending some time in Minnesota and tail deer to near-extinction in the early to escaped animals that were brought to the across the U.S. and Canadian survey Wisconsin, where it was seen, pho- 1900s left any eastern cougars little prey to northeast from other parts of the country, areas during the 2014 breeding popula- tographed on trail cameras, and identified eat. Those cougars turned to domestic ani- or even South America. tion survey were improved or similar to by scat sample DNA testing. It was nick- mals for their food. Farmers saw cougars “Some authors believe that as many last year. Total pond counts for the U.S. named the “St.Croix cougar” during this as a threat to their livestock, and hunted as 1,000 cougars are in captivity in the and Canada combined showed 7.2 mil- time, 2009-2010. them to extinction. U.S. and Canada,” McCollough says. lion ponds, which is similar to the 2013 According to a blog post by John R. McCollough says that sightings of Although the FWS could not verify that estimate and 40 percent above the long- Platt on Scientific American’s website, the cougars in the eastern US are possible, but number, finding real counts of captive term average. last verified sighting of a native Eastern rare. “Reports from DU biologists indi- Cougar (Puma concolor couguar), was “That doesn’t mean, however, that see Cats, p. 11 cate a strong breeding effort across the prairies,” said DU Chief Conservation Officer Paul Schmidt. “This is despite typically isolated pieces of cover. That’s late winter conditions that delayed nest- Turning the Tide on the when I slow down and take a finesse ing activity in some areas by one to two approach with a Slider head or a finesse weeks. We need more moisture in the jig.” Western Boreal Forest and in parts of The approach varies slightly depend- southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, and Dog Days of Summer ing on a couple of variables. The first is the higher-than-usual water levels have amount of tidal fluctuation. On a river like posed some challenges for nesters in the by Pete Robbins ern impoundments, but even when the air the Delaware where the tidal swing may be Eastern Region. But overall this is a temperatures creep toward a sweltering seven feet, he’ll focus most heavily on cur- good breeding season, and depending on In his young career as a national tour- triple digits, he can still find most of his rent breaks and eddies. The fish want to be local conditions hunters across North ing pro, New Jersey angler Adrian Avena fish ultra-shallow. near the flow, but they simply aren’t strong America should look forward to another has learned what summer means on the big Unlike Kentucky Lake or Rayburn, enough to muscle through the heart of it. strong fall flight.” bass factories of the southern United though, where it’s possible to camp out on On waters where the fluctuation is less dra- “This spring, as has been the case States. one spot and seine a big school for hours matic, the fish may be more capable of for the past several years, saw abundant On the Tennessee Valley Authority on end, on the Delaware or the Upper staying in a particular area throughout the moisture across much of North impoundments like Kentucky Lake, it Chesapeake Bay or the Potomac, Avena changes. The second variable is the pres- America’s most important duck breeding means finding the deep ledges and waiting said it’s often necessary to keep moving as ence of submerged aquatic vegetation. areas,” said DU Chief Biologist Scott for the current to turn on. On Texas lakes the day progresses. Again, while the fish may reposition them- Yaich. “That bodes well for duck breed- like Conroe and Sam Rayburn, it once “People don’t understand how much selves in the grass as the water rises or ing success this summer and, we hope, again means looking deep, either for off- these fish move with the tide,” he said. “At falls, the areas typically offer everything for hunting this fall. But we remain con- shore structure or outside grass lines, often high tide, you want to be fishing pads and they need in terms of cover and forage cerned with the continuing and escalat- in 20 or 25 feet of water. shoreline wood cover, power-fishing with throughout the day and they can stay close ing loss of nesting habitat in these areas. And that’s why he likes fishing the a spinnerbait, buzzbait or crankbait, with by. Where there is no vegetation off the Because ducks need water, wetlands to tidal waters of the mid-Atlantic during the the trolling motor on high. The fish will shoreline, bass are likely to make more hold the water and upland habitats to hottest days of the year. They may not really be spread out. Then, on the lower successfully raise their young, the ongo- offer the same quality bass as those south- tide, the fish can only be on a few places, see Dog Days, p. 9 see Ducks, p. 10 Please inform the membership office (see page 2) of any change of address. Page 2 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS August 2014

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President - Pola Galie Federation Office (609) 321-0093 P.O. Box 10173 Trenton, NJ 08650-0173 609-859-2648 Corresponding Secretary - Jerry Natale Sharon Irick, Assistant Manager ([email protected]) WEB Page Address - www.njsfsc.org FOR MEMBERSHIP INSURANCE E-mail Address - [email protected] CALL 609-321-0093 Articles and Advertising must be submitted no later than the fourth Friday of each month for publication the second month thereafter.

Published monthly by the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc., a statewide organi- zation of clubs and associate members serving all the sportsmen and women of New Jersey. The organiza- tion is incorporated under the laws of New Jersey as a non-profit organization. The newspaper is a membership publication. The opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the Federation, unless stated otherwise. Direct any changes of address to the Sportsmen News, PO Box 10173, Trenton, NJ 08650-0173. In notifying us of a change of address, give both your old and new address. Be sure to give your zip code. Send label from your last copy if possible. Reprint permission is granted provided use is made of the following credit: Reprinted from: New Jersey Federated Sportsmen News: Author’s By-Line (if any) OFFICERS State President - Pola Galie, PO Box 56, Waretown, NJ 08758 N. Vice President - John Rogalo, 4003 Waterloo Road, Stanhope, NJ 07874 C. Vice President - Ray Szpond, 2079 Lyde Place, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 S. Vice President - Tom Weeast, 81 Kake Avenue, Williamstown, NJ 08904 Membership Director - Treasurer - Gary Wolff, 47 Meadow Rd., Edison, NJ 08817, fax 732-777-1458 Asst. Treasurer - Stacey Rubsam, 1044 River Road, Green Bank, NJ 08215 Corresponding Secretary - Gerard Natale, 83 Victor Avenue, W. Long Branch, NJ 07764 Recording Secretary - Patricia H. Blazer, 149 Route 45, Salem, NJ 08079 NRA Rep. South - Paul Rivas, PO Box 251, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 NRA Rep. North - Irv Luizza, 43 West St., Box 111, Annandale, NJ 08801 REGIONAL DIRECTORS N. Region - Jim Cosmano, 61 Payne Road, Andover, NJ 07860 N. Region - Eric Spinks, 62 West Stewart Street, Washington, NJ 07882 C. Region - Susan Rothermel, 16 Nicholas Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527 C. Region - Charles Hendrickson, 621 Burke Road, Jackson, NJ 08527 S. Region - Perry Doyle, 323 Birmingham Road, Pemberton, NJ 08068 S. Region - Ron Jones Conservation Director Emeritus - George Howard, 219 Sidney Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867 Natural Resource Director - Rob Winkel, 111 12th Avenue, Seaside Park, NJ 08732 Chairman, Operation Game Thief - Past President, Board of Directors - Ed Cuneo, 15 Villa Drive, Berlin, NJ 08009 County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs Information Directory

County Meeting Date & Time Location Contact Phone Number 2nd Thursday of month, 8:00 PM Germania Gun Club Atlantic Eric Gaupp 609-513-8542 except July and August Moss Mill Rd., Egg Harbor, NJ 3rd Thursday of month, 7:30 PM Bergen Ramsey Outdoor, 240 Rt. 17 North, Paramus, NJ Frank Dara 973-523-2640 except July and August 2nd Thursday of month, 7:30 PM The American Legion Burlington Bill Schultz 856-235-3344 except July and August 39 Pemberton-Julistown Rd., Pemberton, NJ 3rd Wednesday of month, 7:30 PM Square Circle Sportsmen Club Camden Bill Schemel 856-931-5009 except July and August 97 Clementon Rd., Gibbsboro, NJ Cape May (please call for up-to-date information) Ken McDermott III 609-412-3811 2nd Thursday of month, 7:30 PM Menantico Gun Club Cumberland Bob Russell 856-327-2197 except July and August Union Rd., Maurice River Twp., NJ 2nd Thursday of month, 8:15 PM Bloomfield Civic Center Essex Carmine Minichini 908-964-5713 except July and August 84 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 2nd Tuesday of month, 7:45 PM George Ruch Building Gloucester Thomas Weeast 856-629-9465 except July and August 14 St. and Highland Ave., Williamstown, NJ Northern Region Office of Fish & Wildlife, Hunterdon 2nd Thursday of month, 8:00 PM Loren Robinson 908-782-1076 Clinton WMA, 26 RT 173 W, Hampton, NJ 3rd Monday of month, 7:00 PM Sportsmen’s Center Mercer Rick Moore 609-882-2202 except July and August US Highway 130 N., Bordentown, NJ 1st Wednesday of month, 7:30 PM Polish American Citizen’s Club Middlesex John Messeroll 732-828-8543 except July and August 66 Adirondack Ave., Spotswood, NJ 4th Wednesday of month, 7:30 PM 4 F’s Gun Club Monmouth Ken Ganson 732-566-0841 except July and August Burke Rd, Freehold, NJ Mine Hill American Legion Post 391 Morris 1st Tuesday of month, 8:00 PM John Rogalo 973-691-9355 1 Legion Place, Mine Hill, NJ 07803 1st Tuesday of the Month 7:00 PM VFW Post 4703 Ocean Larry Cella 908-839-0193 except July and August 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527 Last Monday of month, 7:30 PM The Wayne Civic Center, Room 3 Passaic Richard Weber 973-697-1814 except June and July 1006 Hamburg Tpk., Wayne, NJ Tuesday after 3rd Friday of month, Salem County Sportsmen Clubs Salem Dave Cesarano 856-223-0409 7:30 PM except Jul., Aug., and Dec. RT 40, Carneys Pt., NJ 2nd Wednesday of month, 8:00 PM Somerset Fish & Game Protective Assoc. Somerset Joe Griglak 908-526-9026 except July and August 445 Milltown Rd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Sparta Ambulance Building Sussex 2nd Wednesday of month, 8:00 PM Dick Strobel 973-697-3989 14 Sparta Ave., Sparta, NJ 1st Monday of month, 8:00 PM Union County Engineering Building, 1st Floor Union Ray Szpond 908-403-5798 except July and August 2335 South Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 4th Wednesday of month, 7:30 PM Pequest Trout Hatchery Warren Eric Spinks 908-268-2599 except July and August RT 46, Liberty Twp, NJ August 2014 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Page 3 AT THE OUTSET: NEW JERSEY STATE FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN’S CLUBS, INC. Some Relief from Christie Individual Application - Select type of membership desired. The word is in, and Governor Send Check or Money Order Christie has vetoed that bill. You know, FOR TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE TO: NEW JERSEY STATE FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN’S CLUBS, INC. A2006, the one that would have made a P.O. BOX 10173, Trenton, NJ 08650-0173 firearm’s magazine illegal if it can accom- modate more than 10 cartridges. C. Smith photo Tim * INSURED SPORTSMAN MEMBER - $35.00 each Before I go any further, I am well Receives $1,000,000 excess liability insurance, membership aware that the NJ State Federation of of the typical accusations that gun-friendly certificate, and Federation’s Monthly Newspaper (12 issues) Sportsmen’s Clubs is not a gun-rights-lob- proponents make, things like “many peo------$______* INSURED SPORTSMAN MEMBER HOUSEHOLD bying organization. But I think it fair to say ple aren’t so hostile to firearms ownership; MEMBER - $30.00 each that a goodly percentage of the member- it’s just the vocal minority” and “the main- Receives INSURED MEMBERSHIP without newspaper ship has a keen interest in firearms, their stream media is doing its best to skew the ------$______use, and the political positioning that sur- issue,” could in fact be true. The online * SPORTSMAN MEMBER - $20.00 each rounds them. arm of New Jersey’s largest news publish- Receives Federation’s Monthly Newspaper (12 issues) and The statement Christie made accom- ing organization (nj.com, representing Membership Card such newspapers as the Star-Ledger, ------$______panying his veto was a long one, with * SPORTSMAN HOUSEHOLD MEMBER - $5.00 each more than four pages of typewritten Trenton Times, Jersey Journal, and more) Receives SPORTSMAN MEMBERSHIP without remarks. Among his strong language were ran a poll shortly after Christie’s veto (“Do newspaper a number of cogent and intelligent obser- you agree with Christie’s veto of this ------$______vations, like the following: bill?”), and the response was “yes” by a “We will not settle for grandstanding large majority. * reform in name only. We can insist that Then, interestingly, a few days later, Check if Emblem Patch Is Required - $5.00 each $______elected officials pass laws that will bring that website ran the poll again, getting (not about meaningful change. Mass violence surprisingly) the same results. This rerun * Check if you wish to make an additional donation to will not end by changing the number of was accompanied, in blogs and social the NJSFSC Legislative Fund $______bullets loaded into a gun. It will end with a media, by numerous comments along the August 2014 TOTAL $______serious commitment to elevating our lines of “didn’t get the results they wanted, response to mental illness, a declaration so I guess they’ll keep doing it until they *Name______Date of Birth______that we will not let our discomfort with this do.” At least one observer accused nj.com *Address______disease threaten our children, our families, of deleting most or all of the pro-Second- and our communities. It will end by taking Amendment comments from the *City______*State______*Zip______seriously our duty to incarcerate violent “Comments” stream. I cannot make any criminals, not by criminalizing the conduct statements on the accuracy of that accusa- Telephone No.______Email______of law abiding citizens to score political tion, but if that person had actual proof to County ______Legislative District______points. I am ready to lead that fight.” back up that claim, then it would indeed be A couple of weeks prior to his veto, telling. Club Name______I’d sent a letter (hardcopy, in an envelope, The politics of firearms, their owner- *Required Information with a stamp and everything) to him, urg- ship, and their use will undoubtedly be ing him to make that veto. It was a careful- with us well into the foreseeable future. If * Please add me to your eDelivery Newspaper distribution list! ly crafted letter, in which I did my best to any of us are interested in maintaining our Email______point out to him that both reason and polit- ability to have and use them for legitimate Instead of receiving a hard copy of my NJ Federated Sportsmen News by mail, I opt to have it ical reality led inevitably to the same and legal purposes, then we must keep an eDelivered to my inbox at no additional cost! result: vetoing the bill. I have no way of eye on three things: our legislators, the knowing how much of an effect my letter media, and the pulse of the general public. Benefits of eDelivery: may have had on him or even if he saw it; When you come down to it, each of the · It’s Convenient! — View and/or save documents for future reference I was nevertheless gratified when I saw the three can be surprisingly independent of · It’s Fast! — No more waiting on paper copies to arrive in the mail · It’s Green! — Help make a positive environmental impact news. the other two. As more and more fallout from this Return your renewal with the eDelivered box checked and by entering your email address veto has accumulated, it seems that much Oliver Shapiro, Editor twice in the boxes provided. Please check box to activate eDelivery!

tributed to college scholarships totaling That is all well and good - but what is LETTERS TO THE EDITOR $5000. Other events have been supported the legal definition of a “personalized as well, such as feeding families in need handgun”? Well, New Jersey statute through the Turkey Hunters Care project defines this explicitly in 2C:39-1(dd): “Bucked Up.” which has provided 250 Thanksgiving “’Personalized handgun’ means a Most of the decals were perfectly meals over the past three years. handgun which incorporates within its acceptable. In fact, my favorite said Currently the chapter is working with design, and as part of its original manufac- “Vegetarian is Old Indian Word for Bad the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, ture, technology which automatically lim- Hunter.” But how do these other offensive Landis Sewerage Authority, NJ Outdoor its its operational use and which cannot be messages find their way on our vehicles Alliance environmental projects, South readily deactivated, so that it may only be and clothing for all the world to see? Jersey Quail Project, and Ducks Unlimited fired by an authorized or recognized user. There’s nothing macho about these to support a bobwhite quail restoration ini- The technology limiting the handgun’s messages. In fact, they have a reverse tiative in Cumberland County. operational use may include, but not be Let’s Clean Up Our Act effect and they seriously blemish all This year’s banquet will feature limited to: radio frequency tagging, touch hunters and our hunting tradition at a time turkey calls from custom call makers, memory, remote control, fingerprint, mag- Dear Oliver, when we frequently come under fire from hunts, fishing trips, artwork, collectibles netic encoding and other automatic user anti-hunting groups. and much more. identification systems utilizing biometric, Some readers might not like what I’m I am also puzzled why such a minor- Come on out and join the flock for an mechanical or electronic systems. No about to say, but it has to be said. ity of hunters would expose these mes- evening of fellowship, fun, and supporting make or model of a handgun shall be First, let me make it clear that I’m a sages to women and children. Do they a great cause. deemed to be a ‘personalized handgun’ hunter. I’ve hunted game from Alaska to really believe they are being macho, when To reserve your tickets contact Lou unless the Attorney General has deter- Africa to the Arctic Circle. I’ve killed in fact they are really exposing themselves Gambale ([email protected] or 609- mined, through testing or other reasonable game from whitetails to Cape buffalo. I as lacking any kind of moral standard? 350-3134). means, that the handgun meets any relia- make no apologies for my stances or my I see no reason for these offensive We hope to see you there. bility standards that the manufacturer may dedication to field sports. In my family, messages on trucks and clothing. They require for its commercially available passing along the hunting tradition with accomplish nothing except providing Tony Zarych handguns that are not personalized or, if bow, rifle and shotgun is an integral part of ammunition for any person or organization via email the manufacturer has no such reliability our heritage. My grandson Steven killed that opposes hunting. standards, the handgun meets the reliabili- his first deer last year with same shotgun Let’s clean up our act. We owe it to Comments on “Smart Guns” ty standards generally used in the industry I’ve used for more than 40 years. the reputation and future of every hunter for commercially available handguns.” But something happened to me the and the next generations of young hunters. Dear Oliver, Read that last portion again! It is very other day that I must share with you. I important: “No make or model of a hand- found myself behind a pickup truck dis- Vin T. Sparano In Robert Brunisholz’ “Smart Guns... gun shall be deemed to be a ‘personalized playing a variety of hunting decals. One Waretown, NJ Not” column in the July 2014 newsletter, I handgun’ unless ... the handgun meets any showed a bowhunter drawing his bow was surprised to see Robert not mention reliability standards that the manufacturer from a treestand with the words “Death NWTF Events Coming Up the actual wording of the law and its inap- may require for its commercially available From Above.” Next to it was another decal plicability to the smart guns (“personalized handguns that are not personalized.” with the message “I kill deer.” I’ve seen Dear Oliver, handguns” in NJ legalese) currently in What smart gun technology today these signs before and I always found them existence. Don’t take the anti-gun lobby’s can even come close, let alone meet, the offensive and damaging to the image of The Tri County Longbeards NWTF word for it that the NJ personalized hand- reliability standards of today’s non-person- most hunters. Chapter supporting the Greater South gun/”Smart Gun” law should be triggered alized “mechanical” handguns? Think When I got home, I went online and Jersey area has some exciting upcoming and halt the sale of mechanical handguns. about it - what battery doesn’t run out of searched for “hunting decals.” What I saw events to talk about. Based on the actual law, it should not. Let power over a certain period of time? What was even more shocking. Here are some of The Chapter will be hosting its 4th me explain. electronic device won’t fail over time or the messages: “How Ya Like My Meat annual Hunting Heritage Banquet on NJ Statute 2C:58-2.5 says, in part, even work without a functioning power Now” with a silhouette of a buck having Friday, August 22 at the beautiful “...following the preparation and delivery source? Any mechanical handgun of today sex with hunter; “Work Can Kiss My Ass. Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course of the list of personalized handguns which by its very nature would have compara- I’m going Duck Hunting.” (4049 Italia Avenue, Vineland NJ 08361). may be sold in the State ... no person ... tively higher reliability than any handgun Here are a few other samples: A duck This has become a premier event for shall transport into this State, sell, expose that requires a working battery or electron- call with the words “Blow Me,” a beer can supporting conservation, habitat and youth for sale, possess with the intent of selling, ic chip (it is not a matter of “if” - batteries with antlers and the words “Beer Season;” programs in South Jersey. assign or otherwise transfer any handgun “Ditch The Bitch Let’s Go Hunting” and Past banquets proceeds have con- unless it is a personalized handgun ...” see Letters, p. 4 Page 4 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS August 2014

desired depth while chumming; and a cou- It’s Party (Boat) Time in Canyon Country ple of cork or plastic floats to suspend a bait at a preferred level when necessary. For jigging I always have several 6- to 12-ounce diamond and Vike style by Milt Rosko This happy angler will chromed jigs, along with an assortment of have lots of delicious Butterfly and Saltiga jigs with Gamakatsu Because of skyrocketing fuel prices, steaks from this long- Assist hooks in 6/0 through 8/0 size. with both gas and diesel nearing the four- For a newcomer uncertain how to rig, dollars-per-gallon mark these days, many finned albacore he it’s best to seek the advice of the crew. boaters are finding the canyons out of hooked aboard Capt. Several party boats hold information ses- reach financially. Quite a difference to Bob Bogan’s Gambler sions on the way to the fishing grounds, when I’d have the Linda June filled at our out of Point Pleasant explaining the schedule and what to antic- home’s dock at 79 cents a gallon, and Beach. Anglers regu- ipate, including how to respond when a today costing five times as much, and still larly score with yel- neighboring angler or you hook up. climbing. With no end in sight on the price lowfin tuna, big eye They’ll also assist in properly rigging you, rise, it reminded me of something I did so that you’re all set upon reaching the when I grew older, and found the challenge tuna, dolphin, wahoo, fishing grounds. (plus that of being both captain and mate broadbill swordfish The party boats usually begin this on my own boat) to be somewhat daunting, and mako sharks, with type of fishing in August as inshore fishing was to switch to a party boat. the fishing often con- and participation begins to taper, and there While it’s long been a certain bus tinuing right through are times when it continues until company’s mantra “Go Greyhound and to Thanksgiving. Milt Thanksgiving, based on weather, water leave the driving to us,” quite a few of Rosko photo. temperatures, and migration patterns. As Jersey’s long-range party boats have such it’s important that you be prepared for adopted, in part, some of that creed, which any contingency. Bring warm clothes as is a great way for recreational anglers to fall approaches, short boots, foul-weather opt out of both the financial and physical rently using for striper gear, a washcloth and towel, toothbrush obligations of running your own boat to and blues would serve and paste, any medication you’re accus- the canyons located upwards of 100 miles them well should they tomed to taking, and you’ll be all set for a from Jersey ports. elect to join the canyon good trip. Catch some shuteye on the trip It’s also a great way for interested fraternity. to and from the grounds, and towards this anglers who may never have thought about And a fraternity it end I always carry a sleeping bag, which this challenging fishing to join in on the is, as anglers of all ages makes for creature comfort if all the rental fun and games of seeking a variety of and financial means bunks are filled. tunas, including the yellowfin, bluefin, big join together to board Most of the boats that specialize in eye, and albacore, along with such game the relative handful of this fishing have galleys on board, where a adversaries as broadbill swordfish, mako packets that make this hot dog or hamburger is readily available. sharks, dolphin and wahoo, to mention a trek of 24 to 48 hours Some of the party boats have dedicated few. All are exciting and challenging to duration to the far off- chefs on board who really show off their catch, and each one is absolutely delicious shore fishing grounds. skills with bacon, eggs, sausage, and pota- table fare. If this strikes a toes for breakfast, along with freshly made Looking back to when I first began chord, and you’re soups and stews later in the day or night the trek to the canyons I’m reminded of the thinking of giving it a (often during a lull in action) that are cer- rather heavy and awkward tackle we used try, let me explain. To tain to satisfy your appetite. to tangle with the bulk of the gamefish, begin with, if your rod is in the 6.5- to 7- 300 yards of 40- or 50-pound-class braid, Between the professional crews on which on average ranged from 20 to 60 foot range and rated for 30- or 40-pound- it’ll do just fine. Lots of guys even use a board and the dedicated anglers with you pounds, with only the occasional broadbill, test line, then it’s a go. As to a reel, thanks heavy spinning outfit with great results. at the rail, you’ll feel right at home. Don’t shark or big eye topping that weight range. to being able to use braided line, you won’t Remember, you’ll have 900 feet of line, hesitate to seek their council with respect Fast forward six score years, and many need a large, heavy reel. Today’s reels have and if a gamefish cleans you out, it to rigging and techniques to be used, and anglers already own tackle suited to this excellent drag systems, and a levelwind deserves to get away. by all means get plenty of rest on the way exciting fishing, perhaps not realizing the feature can be a help as it retrieves the line As to terminal rigging, essentially it to the grounds, for only until you’ve expe- same medium-weight outfit they’re cur- neatly on the reel. If it’s capable of holding falls into two categories. One is for using rienced a blitz can you appreciate that natural bait supplied on board while either reserve of energy you have. Often there’ll drifting or anchored and chumming, and be a half dozen or more 30- to 50-pound the other is jigging when tuna are schooled yellowfins or albacore hooked simultane- 100 feet or deeper and not responding to ously, as anglers move quickly up and chum. down the rail and around the boat, passing My tackle box includes a dozen mini the rod over and under other lines, as reels barrel swivels; a selection of a couple of scream, until the scrapper you’ve hooked coils of Seaguar pink fluorocarbon leader is within range of the mate’s gaff. material in 40- to 60-pound-test; an assort- Believe me when I say this will all ment of a dozen Mustad, Eagle Claw, and test your physical mettle to the utmost. I Lazer Sharp hooks designed for natural know. I’ve been that route, and just can’t bait in 6/0 through 8/0 size; a dozen larger wait to get on board as soon as the sched- size rubber core sinkers to get the bait to a ules are posted on the Internet.

from Letters, p. 3 must meet or exceed those of the world’s police and military forces). WILL run out, electronics WILL fail). And if they cannot meet those relia- How many of your electronic gadgets have bility standards, those being called “smart you owned that have failed once they guns” today are not - by the strict letter of reached a few years of age, or just ran out New Jersey law - not “personalized hand- of battery power because you forgot to guns” and thus do not and cannot trigger charge it or the battery has gone bad? In New Jersey’s personalized handgun that same time, how many of you had a statutes. handgun deteriorate to the point of being Mechanical handguns have been unable to fire? designed and refined for well over 100 I would bet if you took a revolver that years and have stood the test of time. Their has been sitting in Grandma’s dresser reliability is so strong and the reliability of drawer and hasn’t seen the light of day for personalized handguns is so weak compar- decades, it would fire just as well as the atively that even anti-gun New Jersey leg- day it was assembled. Can you even come islators that wrote this law exempt police close to saying anything of the sort for bat- officers from having to use personalized tery powered or electronic devices? No, handguns! (2C:58-2.5(b)). Why? Because you cannot. Therefore, by the very nature they know personalized handguns are not, of the case, today’s battery-powered and and will never be, as reliable as a trusty old electronic personalized handguns cannot S&W revolver or even a Glock semi. meet any reliability standard required for today’s commercially available, non-per- John Mazzitelli sonalized mechanical handguns (whose Gloucester Township reliability standards today are so strict they Memberships Available AtlanticCountyGamePreserve.org Need Extra Papers? If your club, organization, or county needs extra copies of the Federated News for an upcoming event or display, please contact the Editor of this publication (973-533-1260; [email protected]) AT LEAST SIX WEEKS IN ADVANCE of the date in question. August 2014 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Page 5

by Bob Brunisholz

Time sure flies when you’re having fun. In fact, when you get as long-of-tooth Crappie Action is Usually as yours truly, time flies whether you’re having fun or making a trip to the dentist for a root canal. It seems like only yesterday when I Anything But wrote a piece for a Pennsylvania-based publication about crappie fishing. It does- n’t always work out for me, but I should at tiny, bright spinner. But if you’re having least get a C- for trying. Trying, that is, to difficulty getting them to cooperate, try come up with a lead that will keep the fathead minnows or shiners in the 1½- to reader reading. Subsequently, my first sen- 2½-inch class, but when doing so, use a tence was something like, “There is good gold hook in sizes 6, 4, or even 2. reason they call crappie the King of Also, instead of hooking the minnow Spring.” or shiner through the back at a 90-degree I have no way of knowing whether angle to the backbone, try running the that lead sentence kept some readers read- hook parallel and just off to the side of the ing, or if they used the newspaper to wrap backbone. The reason is simple: Crappies their next fish. The point is, it was a have extremely thin lip skin and a good, spring-oriented feature, and that is where I solid hook set will often tear right through went astray. The implication, of course, is the light tissue. If the minnow is hooked that springtime is when the best crappie parallel to the backbone, chances are good fishing occurs. Upon further reflection, I your quarry will get hooked in the roof of should have, perhaps, written something the mouth as opposed to the lips. Ergo, one like: Crappie, a Fish for All Seasons. crappie that did not get away. I wrote the original lead with good Additionally, anyone who thinks of intentions since we’d just slogged through himself as a serious crappie angler will the final gyrations of one horrific winter never leave home without a good supply of and, I assumed, that (like me) most out- tube jigs in various colors. The brighter door types were itching to put icy roads colors like fluorescent orange and char- and multi-plowed driveways behind them treuse are good bets, but red, green, and and get out on a stream, lake, or pond. The yellow often work as well. Also, small current problem, quite obviously, is that Mepps spinners will often do a number on spring long ago receded into our mental your local crappie population. Just remem- rear view mirrors. To top that off, it will be ber to keep your bait, hooks, and rigs on only a matter of some few weeks before the small side. we begin seeing those reds and oranges Keep in mind, fall is just around the appear in the tops of the hardwood forests. corner and soon crappie, like all fish, will So, according to my well-intentioned lead, be seeking plenty of vittles with which to one would guess that we’ll have to wait put on some added weight to see them until next spring for fast crappie action. William Lewis of Jackson hoists the state-record white crappie that he caught on May 2, through the colder months. Now you should be looking for crappie along weed But let’s back up that truck. Back up 2009 while fishing Mercer Lake. The fish weighed three pounds and 11 ounces, with a 14 to the part about crappie being a fish for all edges, drop-offs, and structure, or any seasons. 3/4-inch girth and 18-inch length. Note the random appearance of the dark spots on the combination of the three. Certainly one needn’t wait until next side of the white crappie which is unlike the parallel and vertical “stripes” of dark spots Finally, you’ll be missing a lot of fun spring to enjoy tying into some nice-size found on the black crappie. Photo courtesy New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. if you fish for crappie with your standard crappies. By changing tactics, and some- bass rod and reel. Try light or ultra-light times baits, good crappie action can be a crappie has spots that are not aligned, but or eight. In addition, the white crappie has tackle, and line size shouldn’t be much season-long experience, and if you speak seemingly scattered along the sides. That the same number of spines in both the dor- more than four-pound test. to experienced ice anglers, there is no little tidbit was how I determined the dif- sal and anal fins. So, if the crappie you just Just because spring has long ago “specific season” that is best. Crappie ference between the two for decades, until caught has seven spines in the dorsal fin, come and gone, late summer and early fall action occurs year-round. I began doing a little research on both but five in the anal fin, you just caught a are also great times to try for crappie. It’ll In addition, if you’re seeking slab- species and my first stop was the IGFA black crappie. Thank you, IGFA. be the most fun you’ve ever had without size crappies, remember those big crappies website. What a difference a bit of knowl- Finally, here are a few tricks that laughing. Well, okay, you can laugh, but are commonly found dwelling among edge can make. most experienced crappie enthusiasts only after the crappie is in the net or in the smaller crappie. Both the black and white According to the IGFA, aside from probably know already, but if you’re new boat. crappie can top out as large as 18 inches, the alignment of the aforementioned spots, to the game, give these a try. One last thing: Because crappies are and that’s saying something when you’re the two species can also be distinguished In my experience, the crappie, espe- so much fun to catch, if you have a on the reel side of the battle tools. They are from each other by the number of spines in cially a hungry crappie, will inhale just young’un or two, or even grandkids, by all a scrappy fish, and are a pure delight on the dorsal fin. The white crappie has six, about anything from a worm to a grub to a means bring them along. light or ultra light tackle. whereas the black crappie will have seven So, how large can crappie get? The current world record—maintained by the Florida-based International Game Fish Association—for black crappie is five Need To Sell pounds (and 0 ounces), taken from a pri- vate lake in Missouri by John Hozstman in Something? April of 2006. The IGFA title for white crappie is five pounds and three ounces, Try placing a Classified Ad in the NJ taken by Fred Bright while fishing Enid Federated Sportsmen News! The Dam in Mississippi in 1957. News reaches your target audience As for New Jersey, Andy Tintle was fishing Pompton Lake in 1996 when he of dedicated sportsmen and women decked a four-pound, eight-ounce black throughout New Jersey - contact the crappie, and William Lewis took a three- Editor for more information. pound, 11-ounce white crappie out of Mercer Lake in 2009. Though fishing methods do not vary much for the two species (black or white), there is a common misconception among some anglers that the white crappie is a Prime Deer & bottom feeder, whereas the black crappie is famous for suspending in heavy brush, Turkey Hunting picking up morsels of food wherever bait- fish, insect life, or tiny marine organisms Available tend to gather. That’s not necessarily true. The white crappie is definitely not a bottom feeder, though it does have a ten- in my 200 acres. dency to tolerate warmer water tempera- Need a few hunters, tures than black crappie, and therefore can sometimes be found in shallow weed cover must belong to the NJ and even in discolored (muddy) water. Rarely will one find black crappie in mud- State Federation of died waters, especially in shallow bays or Sportsmens Clubs, or be silted streams. That, however, does not mean the white crappie is a bottom feeder. prepared to join. It wasn’t all that long ago when I Property is off Route 23 thought I knew the only way to tell a white crappie from a black; both have those in North Jersey. roundish-style bodies similar to your stan- dard, everyday sunfish. Each species have extremely small heads in comparison to Please call to see prop- their bodies, but the white crappie has spots that are precisely arranged in vertical erty, 973-580-4670. bars on each side. Conversely, the black Page 6 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS August 2014

Flicker Minnow, and Rapalas Tail Dancers; all of these will also put some Hunting Hybrids fish in your livewell. If night fishing, make sure to employ Live Targets Blueback Herring Double Prop. They’re not cheap, by Lou Martinez so attach them to 20-pound mono, and use heavy baitcasting equipment such as an As the sun started its descent, my Abu Garcia C-4 reel and a medium-heavy longtime friend and mentor Bob to heavy Quantum Flipping Stick. Don’t McDowell decided to make one more forget to set the drag properly. trolling pass on his way in. Watching the Live bait aficionados would do well All-Star rod nodding up and down in its to use alewife or shiners in 10- to 20-foot rod holder, I held out hope that the Buck depths, using egg sinkers and slip floats to Perry Spoon plug we were utilizing would keep your bait in the strike zone. work its magic. Remember to loosen your reel’s drag a bit This piscatorial pursuit had come because when one of these hybrids hit, into being after Bob had admitted, “Lou, you’ll think that you are fighting a smallie you know those plugs you told me to try on steroids. Not only will they try and rip out… well, they don’t work.” the rod from the holder, they fight like I was kind of taken by surprise Rocky Balboa caught in the corner. They’ll because I had learned to use them with pound the stuffing out of you, and just Guide Captain Dave Vollenweider, of the when you think that you’ve got them beat- Live To Fish Guide Service, and I truly en, the minute they see the boat it’s “adios, believed that these long forgotten spoon brother,” and prepare for Round Two. plugs could and would catch anything. We Back to the fishing with Bob, on our enjoyed fantastic results on Greenwood second pass, his rod doubled over, and as Lake and did fantastic on walleye, muskies the line screamed off his reel, stopping the and smallmouth bass; surely they’d work boat, he expertly worked the fish into my on McDowell’s home water. So I sort of waiting net. After a little CPR (catch, invited myself to his little piece of heaven, photo, release) we let it go and watched as and it was on our first pass over a structure it rocketed away, apparently towards break, that Bob’s rod went off. The author hoists a hefty hybrid that was released to fight another day. Lou Martinez China. Although the fish wasn’t what we photo. A few more passes kept us busy with were hunting, he had caught a nice hefty perch, largemouth bass, and a bunch of largemouth. I winked at him as I netted the pickerel taking our plugs. It made for an bass, and chuckled “see, I told you they seeking. caught in Culvers Lake, tipping the scales extremely enjoyable afternoon, as dark- work!” Hybrid stripers are genetic crosses at a whopping 16 pounds and four ounces. ness crept up on us. Bob had just purchased a really nice between a white bass and a striped bass. It We chose to troll Bob’s lake with Bob suggested we make one last 16-foot skiff, attached an eco-friendly 9.9 was introduced into NJ waters in 1984 by large Rapala F-18s. These lures mimic her- pass. It was a good call, because my rod hp gas motor, as well as all of the acces- the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and fish- ring, the hybrids’ natural prey; they cruise suddenly went off, and I too got to experi- sories necessary to make it into a truly fine ing has never been the same. It is a vora- at 8-12 feet deep and you’d better be ready ence the thrill of victory, as I battled my fishing machine. Comfortable seats, sonar cious feeder that excels in deep warmwater to hang on to your rod when one of these hybrid striper to the boat. Scooping him and other fish-finding equipment, he had lakes, such as Lake Hopatcong, gonzos comes a knockin’. They hit hard, up, Bob asked if I wanted to take the 8- also added stress-relieving rod holders to Manasquan Reservoir, and Spruce Run fight harder, and head to the lake’s bottom pound beauty home for supper. complete the package. Reservoir. The months of August and when they see the boat. “No thanks, let’s let him get bigger” I haven’t mentioned yet that his little September are prime time to catch these Other good choices would be Live was my reply. slice of Heaven is loaded with hybrid big freshwater fish. They commonly grow Target’s Smallmouth Bass and Thanks Bob, and hope to see you striped bass, and that is what we were to 10 pounds, and the state record was Largemouth Bass crankbaits, Berkley’s soon. We’ve got more stuff to try out!

by Vin T. Sparano

Catfish and .22 rimfire rifles have a lot in common. Both are great equalizers The Catfish Challenge of sportsmen of all ages. And plinking with a .22 or catching a mess of catfish is just If you prefer, you can use worms, plain fun. hellgrammites, crayfish, small carp, min- It’s apparent that the rest of the world nows, and even small sunfish. If cut bait is has also discovered that catfish taste good. your choice, you can use chunks of carp, This ugly fish has become so popular that sunfish and almost any kind of meat. Oily it is now raised commercially on catfish fish attract catfish faster and more effec- farms, and it’s rare to see a supermarket tively than other baits. You can also use that doesn’t sell Cajun-spiced catfish fil- commercially available blood baits, as lets. If you haven’t gone catfishin’ in well as chicken and beef livers. awhile, now may be the time to try it again. You can create stink baits for catfish. You won’t need a lot of expensive Cut baits and dead minnows, for example, fishing tackle to catch a catfish. Just about can be left in the sun to rot. When they any rod and reel will work just fine. Where start to smell so bad that you don’t even you fish and what you use on the end of want to touch them, put them on a hook your line is more important than the tackle and you’ll catch a catfish. in your hand. Nearly all rivers and lakes There are hundreds of recipes for cat- hold catfish, but there are certain places to fish, but the simplest and tastiest way to look first. cook a catfish is in a hot skillet. Here’s a Tailrace waters below dams where basic recipe, but don’t be afraid to alter it currents from two turbines collide, for to taste. In my egg mixture, for example, I example, is a good spot to try for catfish. A face only a mother, or perhaps a freshwater angler, could love. Follow the author’s add Tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper to For this kind of water, tie a three-way advice to increase your views of this worthy gamefish. Brian Gratwicke photo, courtesy give it some extra kick. This recipe will swivel onto your line. On one swivel eye wikipedia.com. feed six people. attach a 6-inch length of line and a sinker. Take a half-dozen skinned fillets On the remaining eye, tie an 18-inch leader from ½ to 1-pound catfish, and sprinkle with a baited hook. Almost any kind of bait upstream and let your bait bounce off jug, so you can find them easier in the both sides of each with salt and pepper. will catch a catfish, but live minnows drop-offs and in the bottom of those holes. dark.) Mix two beaten eggs with two tablespoons might work best for this tailrace fishery, You will also find catfish at the What makes a good catfish bait? of milk. Dip fillets in egg mixture and roll especially where the current will be the mouths of small feeder creeks, where Almost everything. I’ve heard of fisher- in cornmeal. Place the fillets in frying pan slowest. worms, grubs, and other food wash into the men using small mice, diced laundry soap, with 1/8 inch of hot oil and fry to a golden If you prefer a more relaxed fishing river. Work the edges of muddy water with rotten meat, hot dogs, and other strange brown on both sides. Drain on paper tow- trip, find some small streams and rivers. your bait. (Catfish frequently feed better at baits. Fortunately, there are easier baits to els, and serve. Look for deep holes and drop-offs. Cast night; you can mark these hotspots with a find and use.

staked, anchored, or floating waterfowl hunting blinds in the field overnight or for Game Code Changes Proposed extended periods of time. Permit the harvest of foxes with cen- terfire or rimfire rifles during the special The NJ Fish and Game Council voted Turkey Hunting Areas. nutria; six additional days for beaver and permit season in section 5.19. to propose several amendments to the Eliminate the lottery for the fall otter) for areas stocked with pheasants. 20-gauge shotguns are allowed and 2015 - 2016 Game Code at its July 8 meet- turkey season. Add coyote mortality report require- effective for deer hunting, and coyotes are ing. Increase weekly permit quotas in ment, and add coyotes to the Automated allowed during the firearm deer season, Among the proposals are: Turkey Hunting Areas 14 and 22. Increase Harvest Report System. and should be allowed for taking coyote. Require bobcat trappers to report the permit quotas in these same THAs for the Legalize foot encapsulating traps Mandate the wearing of a hunter incidental capture of a bobcat within 24 fall turkey season. (editor’s note: these are different from orange hat by all those engaged in hunting hours. Increase trapping opportunities for leghold traps) as an alternative trapping for small game. Add Turkey to the Automated mink, muskrat, nutria, beaver, and river tool to snares. For a complete description of the pro- Harvest Reporting System for spring and otter by allowing trapping on all Wildlife Require trappers using cable posed changes, visit http://www.njfishand- fall seasons. Management Areas prior to January 1 (31- restraints to use relaxing locks. wildlife.com/pdf/2014/gamecode15pro- Open fall turkey hunting in all 46 additional days for mink, muskrat and Prohibit hunters from leaving any posal.pdf August 2014 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Page 7 T EDERATION NUAL JOIN F /CWF CONFE D AN RENC 2N 2014 E

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The second annual Wildlife and Galie. Alsheimer. Conservation Conference was held June 6- 2. Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ 10. Current and past winners of the 7, 2014 at the Tropicans Casino and Resort Executive Director David Wheeler, President Jeannette A. Vreeland Women’s Award: Kerry in Atlantic City. This event was well attend- Pola Galie, and NJDFW Director Dave Lucas, Pat Blazer, Pola Galie, and of course ed and there were many seminars over the Chanda (right) present the NJ Beach Buggy Jeanette A. Vreeland. two days. Two of the highlights were semi- Association (accepted by Vince Cochrane) nars by world-known authority Charles with the first Annual Directors Conservation The banquet capped off a great weekend of Alsheimer. The first one was on photogra- Award. education and enjoyment. Pictured at their phy and the other on whitetail deer hunting. 3. Additional NJBBA members (Tim Burden, tables here are: left; Paul Harris, third from left) accept the On Saturday night the banquet was held, first Annual Directors Conservation Award. 11. Beginning far left and going clockwise featuring good food and food friends. The 4-7. NJSFSC President Pola Galie presents around the table: Ed Markowski, David Federation’s new President Pola Galie awards to the 2014 recipients: Rob Winkel Wheeler, George Snyder, Frank Virgilio, presided over the presentations of various (George Howard Award, photo 4), Anthony Penny Virgilio. awards. It was a great evening and event, Mauro Sr. (Frank Valgenti Award, photo 5; 12. Beginning far left and going clockwise and we hope to see you next year. Ed Markowski pictured here accepting on around the table: Susan Rothermel, Ray Mauro’s behalf), Ray Szpond (Keith Griffiths Szpond, Charlie Hendrickson, Rick Moore, Pictured above are: Memorial Award, photo 6), Kerry Lucas Jerry Natale, Irv Luizza, Lou Perry, Ron (Jeannette A. Vreeland Women’s Award, Wiggins. 1. Assistant Director of Central Services photo 7). (NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife) Paulette 8. New President Galie shown with outgoing Nelson swearing in NJ State Federation of President Frank Virgilio. Bill Schemel photos. Sportsmen’s Clubs President Elect Pola 9. Galie with featured presenter Charles Page 8 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS August 2014 Sorry Charlie, but On The Road Mom’s Riding Shotgun

by Rick Methot “Go ahead, say it,” I grudgingly said to my wife adding, “You know you want to.” ricaded the space between the front seats diner. It’s just a simple four-word declara- with duffel bags so he couldn’t leap into I was nervous and talked to my broth- tion, a feeling of righteous superiority for my wife’s lap (to claim his rightful road er, who sighed heavily, then moved it out one who utters it with smug satisfaction. trip spot, of course). of my dog’s range. The recipient slumps in submission in the There was a guy walking his dog, and Meanwhile his dog is regarding realization that he indeed committed an my wife made chit-chat and asked where Charlie as a living sex toy. A lot of gyra- egregious error in judgment. his pet rides when he travels. “Oh, he tions over a very stressful weekend. Poor Charlie was caught in the mid- always sits in the passenger seat with his I dog sat most of the time. dle; or rather he was caught in the back of head out the window,” the man replied. I spent one night with Charlie in a the new and squeaky clean SUV registered “I don’t believe this, are you guys South Burlington motel. We watched TV, to my wife. Charlie is a two-year-old and ordered that the canine pal o’ mine ride with dogs all alike?” my wife said. I shared some pizza (only crusts for him) Brittany Spaniel who lives to hunt pheas- in the back in a doggie crate. believe it was a rhetorical question. and allowed my wife some relaxing time ant, gnaw on real beef bones, and stick his It was purchased for Bailey, the The man, however, jerked a thumb out at my brother’s place before joining me head out the window on road trips while aforementioned Lovable Mutt; not Charlie toward the parking lot. “That’s why I got a the next night before heading back to New perched in the front passenger seat. the Wonder Dog in Training. Thus it was fifth-wheeler; my wife can ride in back and Jersey. This makes for a happy, freckle- not a real crate, like the metal or hard plas- the dog in front.” Charlie slept a lot of the way, proba- faced, ears-flapping-in-the-wind dog rid- tic kind hunters use when transporting bird Bingo, there’s an $85,000 solution. bly tired from fending off my bro’s over- ing in my five-year-old crossover (not a dogs to the field or the nifty coops on We made it to Vermont with our 44- sexed dog’s lunges. Not much else to do in real truck) vehicle that is chewed, wheels they use down South to give clients year-marriage shaken but not broken. Vermont I suppose. scratched, and decorated with white dog and dogs a ride to the quail hunting Charlie met Ollie, my brother’s five- I should probably look into one of hair. (My wife’s silver ride has black cloth grounds. year old Brittany. The latter has free reign those doggie restraint seat belts, as a upholstery. Charlie is not a good fit.) It was one of those cloth and mesh over his four acres and about 200 in state canine cavorting in the front seat can be We were faced with a long drive and fold-down contraptions. land behind the place. dangerous. four-day stay in Vermont to visit family. Charlie rides shotgun, as I men- Charlie blew that deal when he lifted To wit: when we first got married we My kids damn well better do the same if tioned. My wife, for some strange reason, his leg on my sister-in-law’s couch, this had a $10 pet store mutt named we’re both still around at 92, as are my insisted she sit in the front passenger seat after he marked his “Charlie was here” “Schaefer,” after the “more popular than parents. instead of in the back with the luggage and scent on the garage couch. Bud” beer we drank back in 1970. On a Here was the problem. We have two cooler full of venison and pheasant for my You have to realize that garage “man Sunday drive to Spruce Run Reservoir we dogs and as anyone with pets knows, they brother. rooms” are a big thing in Vermont. My passed cows, close to the fence on a wind- are a major factor if you like, or feel obli- Charlie was offended at being brother has a TV, wood stove, beer fridge, ing two-lane. Schaefer leaped out of an gated, to travel. bumped from first class to steerage. He chairs, and a couch in his garage. open rear window after them. Upon realiz- One, a 12-year-old mixed breed, goes was also a little ticked off. So he ate the The other testaments to testosterone, ing they were very large animals capable to the kennel. She loves it, her chill-out crate. delusional touchstones or not, are his of stomping him into a spot of mutt jelly, vacation free from her loony housemate. A clue something was amiss came humungous Fat Boy Harley and a bunch of he ran back to the truck, tail tucked. Charlie, however, is not kennel material. from his whining. My wife unhooked her John Deere machinery for slicing and dic- I’d like to think Charlie’s too smart to Last time we boarded him he had the seat belt, at 70 mph on the NY Thruway, ing dirt and grass, and the right to wear pull such a stunt. I hope so; he cost about screaming poopies for two weeks. and half crawled into the back to find that beat up John Deere hats. $950 more. The only place I’d board him is from Charlie had chewed though the mesh sid- Charlie was tethered dangerously We’re headed to the Florida Keys whence he came, Quail Hollow Kennels in ing of the “crate” and got a tooth caught. close to the Harley, which I feared would next winter for a spell. Charlie’s coming Carney’s Point. However, that’s nearly a It’s funny now. Not so much then. topple if Prince Charles, strong as the along. “How” is still to be decided. two-hour drive south; wrong direction. There were words uttered, some discour- proverbial ox, got his long leash tangled Meanwhile, to her credit regarding So with the kennel out, there was aging. and he pulled. The bike weighs about as taking Charlie to Vermont, my wife never only one way we were going to Vermont: We pulled into a rest stop to take much as the average cement truck and has said, “I told you so.” taking Charlie. My wife was not thrilled, Charlie out, folded down the crate and bar- more chrome than a classic New Jersey I wish she would. NJ DFW Law Enforcement Bureau Reports: February ‘14 Conservation Officers reported a firearm hunting license, hunting deer with age to property while hunting, and posses- inches (16 counts), setting snares without total of 6487.2 hours of duty. During a muzzleloader during closed season, fail- sion of a loaded firearm within 450 feet of deer stops (16 counts), did hunt within 450 patrols, officers performed 1186 field ing to fill out the harvest report immedi- a school playground. feet of a residence, did unlawfully possess inspections of hunters, fishermen or trap- ately upon killing, and taking an antlerless five turkeys, did fail to tag or register all pers, with 160 summonses issued. deer with a muzzleloader without a valid Southern Region Highlight the turkeys, did hunt turkey without valid Estimated penalties collected during this permit. The second individual was issued permits, did fail to use harvest data tag and report period by Conservation Officers summonses for hunting without a valid CO Toppin investigated an ongoing record harvest data via electronic deer came to $32,652.14. firearm hunting license and hunting deer trespassing complaint on posted private check system (12 counts), did hunt without with a muzzleloader during closed season. property in Franklin Township, Gloucester a license, did hunt deer without archery Northern Region Highlight County. CO Toppin conducted a foot permits (six counts), over the daily bag Central Region Highlight patrol of the area and observed a hunter limit for fall bow season (two antlered Officers Driscoll and Ocampo, along placing bait out for deer hunting near his deer), trespassing for purpose of trapping with Lt. Sutton, responded to a complaint CO Szalaj and Lt. Szulecki respond- deer blind. However, the hunter did not and hunting, possession of beaver without from the West Milford Township Police ed to a report of a dog shot by a hunter at hunt that evening. a possession seal, possession of redtail Department regarding closed season deer the Kirby’s Mill Elementary School in CO Toppin returned the following hawk parts, and unlawful possession of an hunting. West Milford Police responded to Medford Township, Burlington County. day and again the hunter did not use the endangered species (bobcat). a residence regarding a deer that had died The dog owner had taken his 4-year- blind, but he observed the same individual in the person’s back yard. The resident old pit bull/Staffordshire terrier mix to run setting snares between the trees in the area Marine Region Highlights stated that she had heard a gunshot and at the school fields. He let the dog off of the bait pile. After watching him set all shortly afterwards observed the deer come leash and the dog started running away the snares, CO Toppin apprehended the On January 18, COs Woerner and into her yard and lay down. from the school buildings. unlawful trapper. The trapper admitted to Moscatiello inspected a crab dredge vessel The Officers were able to back track When the dog was approximately setting the snares to catch deer for meat. in the commercial port of Belford, the blood trail from the deer and foot 200 yards away, the owner heard one shot CO Toppin continued to interview the sus- Monmouth County. The vessel had been tracks in the snow, where they located a and saw his dog fall down. He ran up and pect and was invited into the house so the dredging for blue claw crabs in the New cell phone, a pair of camouflage gloves, found his dog dead on the ground. He saw suspect could write a voluntary statement. York Harbor prior to landing in Belford. and various food wrappers and cigarette a hunter standing at the edge of the school While in the house CO Toppin conducted During the inspection CO Woerner noticed butts. The Officers continued following property about 35 yards away. an interview and obtained the written a half full bushel of hard clams on the two sets foot prints to a gas station on The dog’s owner contacted Medford statement. Based on information provided deck. Route 23. They reviewed the surveillance Township Police Department who during that interview, Conservation As the captain and crewman footage from the gas station and observed responded and took the hunter into cus- Officers from the Southern Region execut- offloaded their catch of crabs, empty a Dodge Ram truck leaving the parking lot tody. The hunter had been hunting on pri- ed a search warrant several days later. The bushel baskets were placed on top of the shortly after the complaint was received. vate property adjacent to the school prop- officers recovered processed deer meat, 41 bushel of clams in order to conceal them. A reverse 911 was performed by erty. He fired one shot at what he claimed leg hold traps, five unregistered turkeys Crabs and conchs are the only species that West Milford PD, which produced the he thought was a fox. He indicated that he and parts, 12 unregistered deer and parts, a can be landed under New Jersey’s com- identity of the owner. Officer Driscoll was approximately 70 yards from the dog. bobcat (an endangered species in New mercial crab dredge regulations. After responded to the suspect’s residence, He was 253 feet from the baseball field Jersey), a redtail hawk tail section, and a speaking with the captain and crewman, where he obtained a written confession backstop. beaver without a possession seal. Woerner boarded the vessel and took pos- from the suspect and the identity of the A necropsy done on the dog showed The hunter/trapper was cited for session of the clams. Moscatiello pho- second suspect. that she was killed by a six 00 buckshot attempting to snare deer, trapping without tographed and counted the clams while He then responded to the second sus- pellets, one of which lodged in the brain. a license, not having a snare certificate, Woerner issued a summons to the captain pect’s residence and obtained a confession Lt. Lacroix and CO Mascio assisted with setting untagged snares (16 counts), set- for the possession of 122 containerized from him. The first individual was issued the investigation. The hunter was charged ting snares with an opening greater than 12 hard clams, while engaged in the catching summonses for hunting without a valid with careless discharge of a firearm, dam- inches (16 counts), setting snares above 24 and taking of crabs by dredges. August 2014 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Page 9 The Sporting View

by Marty Boa

Bizarre Dog Behaviors: Why They Do What They Do

Conscientious pet owners, including following are some of the dog behavior those of us who own hunting dogs, take a patterns recently addressed by Dogs in general, and sporting dogs in particular, exhibit “prizing” behavior by parad- keen interest in our charges and their wel- Vetstreet.com. ing around with an object that they have retrieved. Here the author’s Lab Maggie Mae fare. Observing a dog’s behavior goes with Tail chasing is an activity that some shows off a prize, in this case a scrub brush. Marty Boa photo. the territory, and while dog watching is dogs may enjoy as a way of releasing usually an amusing activity it sometimes excess energy. However, it may also signal causes one to ask the question, “Why does an obsessive-compulsive disorder, or the my dog do that?” presence of physical health problems such ing or annoying, it will need to be reduced medical problem and a vet need not be While some dog mannerisms may as flea allergy dermatitis or the need for through training, preferably under the consulted unless a dog does this in the seem bizarre or even undesirable, many anal gland expression (draining). If the guidance of a vet or veterinary behavior absence of a causative event. The exact others tend to be harmless, meaningless, or owner cannot distract a dog from chasing specialist. cause of head cocking is unclear, but even positive in nature. For instance, the her tail or if a medical problem is suspect- “Why does my dog bark at nothing?” behaviorists believe that canines may do it members of most sporting dog breeds like ed, a vet should be consulted. Dogs bark for many reasons. Your dog when they are trying to make sense of what to retrieve and want to please. They enjoy “My dog licks and chews his feet, may be warding off or confronting an they hear, a theory that supports evidence picking things up and bringing them to why?” This columnist comes from a long interloper or prey of which you may or of the high level of intelligence that dogs their master. line of dog owners. We’ve had several may not be aware, or she may be commu- possess. Pup may be listening for a key Frequently they display a behavior dogs that made a habit of licking and/or nicating stress or discomfort, making a word such as “dinner” or “fetch” that may called “prizing,” whereby they parade chewing their legs and/or feet. After a request or demand, or simply wanting to signal an upcoming fun event. She may around with an object in their mouth, while this got to be annoying and we play. Pup may bark because she wants din- also tilt her head so as to zero in on the showing it off to everyone. This is a posi- would refer to it as the “vicious vice” aka ner, or heard a squirrel’s chatter, or a far- location of a particular sound. tive behavior in that it shows that the dog “nicking.” There are some unknown rea- away howl, or simply because she is glad “Walking in circles before lying wants to please its master by retrieving sons and many other known reasons why a to see you. down?” This behavior is noticeable and with pride. In ordinary prizing, many dogs dog might exhibit this behavior. Some Behaviorists have categorized bark- arouses one’s curiosity, but does not indi- will circle around the immediate area dogs are just fastidious and simple groom- ing into the following categories: territori- cate a problem. The act of circling in and while displaying a great aura of accom- ing is not a cause for concern; however, al barking, alarm barking, attention-seek- around a bedding area is common in dogs plishment and self-esteem as if to say, incessant licking or chewing needs to be ing barking, greeting barking, socially and is believed to be an instinctive behav- “Hey look at me and see what I have and addressed by a vet if it comes on suddenly facilitated barking, frustration-induced ior throwback to when the wolf-like ances- what I have accomplished” along with or results in a sore, odor, bleeding, oozing, barking, illness or injury barking, and sep- tors of today’s dogs lived in the wild and “please praise me.” loss of hair, limping, redness, discol- aration-anxiety barking. needed to pat down a grassy, weedy area to With some basic training, most good oration, or swelling. Such signs and symp- A dog that barks at absolutely noth- make a comfortable nesting spot. Dogs dogs can make the transition from prizing toms may indicate pain or infection. There ing may be exhibiting compulsive barking, will perform this ritual despite the fact that around in circles to delivering to hand. are many other reasons why a dog may lick which is especially suspect when such under most in-house living conditions such Sniffing or scenting every inch of a given or chew himself, including an autoimmune barking is accompanied with a pattern of action has little or no effect on the comfort area is another positive behavior that response or allergic skin disease from irri- repetitive movement like running along a of a resting place. Over the years, howev- shows that dog is interested in scent and tants such as dust, grass pollen, or a partic- fence or pacing in a circle. Some dogs bark er, I have noticed that most of the dogs I may want to hunt, especially if he or she ular food, feeling bored or stressed, a for- excessively, at what appears to be the have owned preferred a bed that is not shows curiosity in the surroundings by eign body such as a thorn, splinter, or a slightest disturbance. Fortunately, certain overly thick or fluffy. poking into every nook and cranny and glass shard or burr imbedded in skin or measures can be taken to help reduce her Thrashing toys. Once, while dis- otherwise exploring the territory. paw. A dog may lick or chomp a specific sensitivity and/or the volume and frequen- cussing dog behavior with a circle of dog Then there are other actions, such as area so much that it results in a raw ulcer- cy of the response. Consult with your vet- owner friends, this question came up; chasing their own tail, barking at nothing, ated sore called a lick granuloma. The best erinarian, a board-certified veterinary “Dogs seem to enjoy vigorously shaking a or circling around a bedding area before course of action here is treatment adminis- behaviorist, a certified applied animal toy and hearing it squeak. Do they like to laying down, that cause us to wonder. It tered by a vet. Lick intervention by the behaviorist, or a qualified certified profes- do this because they think they are playing should be noted that any extreme behavior owner can help in prevention. sional dog trainer if you really want to stop with another dog or killing something?” that seems unhealthy or dangerous calls “Why does my dog lick me?” Dogs the noise. The group answered in unison with a for consultation with a veterinarian. lick members of their people pack, espe- “Eating poop – what’s that about?” resounding “Killing something!” When a The veterinarians and pet experts at cially their masters, to show affection and Coprophagy is the medical term for the dog does this he or she is simply acting Vetstreet.com recently released a report on to get attention. Dogs use such licking as disgusting habit of eating feces. If your like a dog and doing what dogs do instinc- numerous canine behaviors that are of con- an exploratory tool and for tasting as when dog does this he may be hungry, or has tively. Most dogs are programmed to kill cern to dog owners. These behavior analy- pups lick their mothers in order to find taken a liking to the smell or taste of stool. prey, and hunting dogs are no exception ses may answer some questions related to food. It may also be a trickle down affec- His diet may be lacking a certain necessary and toy thrashing is simply another exam- what many might consider strange behav- tion thing – pups’ mothers lick them so nutrient or nutrients, or he may be amused ple of primal instinct coming out in play iors. they lick the people they love, who may by the act itself. As is the case with other behavior at home. Vetstreet.com is a web-based infor- also taste good! A dog with obsessive- behavior problems, this is another one for For additional information on dog mation service that provides valuable compulsive behavior issues may turn to the vet. behavior visit Vetstreet.com and look for information and services to pet owners and excessive licking of objects or himself. All “My dog cocks her head, is there a more on the topic in future editions of this pet care professionals so that they may bet- dogs lick at one time or another; it’s their reason?” Cocking the head to one side, column. ter understand and care for their pets. The nature. But if licking becomes overwhelm- also called head tilting, is usually not a from Dog Days, p. 1 tide is almost always the last hour of out- vides enough going and the first hour of incoming. You weight to pierce Avena shows us that it isn’t simply dramatic changes in location, increasingly want to be in areas with current and find the cover and idle talk. Follow his advice to put seeking the less plentiful shelter of indi- those eddies. In a place with a 7-foot tide force the fish to more bass in the boat. Pete vidual pieces of rock, wood or manmade fluctuation, there are only so many places bite, but not so Robbins photo. cover. they can be, so it’s easy to target them.” much that it Regardless of the available cover and A wide variety of lures will work on overpowers structure, the presence of constantly-flow- tidal rivers at this time of year, and Avena them. Finally, ing oxygenated water allows the fish to may keep a dozen or more Halo rods when the bite is stay relatively shallow. Even on the rigged up in the locker of his Bass Cat particularly Delaware, where your high-tide honey boat, but he said that location is often more tough, he dotes hole may be completely dry at low tide, the important that a particular presentation. on a Reaction fish want to be close to the main channel of Accordingly, he urges tidal water anglers Innovations the river or the flowing water of a tribu- to spend more time on figuring out where Flirt Worm, a tary. They’ll merely adjust as the water the fish have moved before trying to dis- sub-five-inch comes in and out, to stay near that fresh cern their particular palette. finesse presen- moving water. In these situations, Avena is Nevertheless, as a starting point, he tation with no a strong proponent of running the tide, said that he likes a Lucky Craft BDS1 negative cues to seeking the ideal combination of isolated crankbait for power fishing. It presents a turn fish off, cover and moving water that positions fish small profile but moves a lot of water. The available in a predictably to wait for the prey buffet. Caramel Apple color is one of his variety of colors to match any water clari- fish of our tidal waters don’t know it. Stay “Grass rivers are a little bit differ- favorites, as it represents both sunfish and ty and forage base. shallow, keep moving and run the tides, ent,” he said. “You can sometimes sit on a yellow perch. When he’s able to slow The mid-Atlantic temperatures of and it’s possible to load the boat with big grass bed all day, but even there, to be con- down, oftentimes he’ll primarily flip with August may feel like those of deep south river bass while our southern counterparts sistent, you have to run the tide. The best a 3/8-ounce Zorro Booza Bug jig. It pro- Texas or the bowels of Mississippi, but the sweat it out on the ledges. Page 10 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS August 2014

Revolver Lubes and BLACK POWDER NOTES a New Six-Gun Series by Joe Bilby Reader Art Sweisfurth, who is also a lubricant smeared on the front of a cylin- subscriber to Backwoodsman magazine, der, had on preventing the dreaded multi- advised me that that publication recently ple chamber ignition or “chain fire” in published a letter on revolver lubricant revolvers is, however, open to question. from one “L Wagner” of Gettysburg , We have no historical evidence of Civil it worked well, but smelled horrible. Pennsylvania, who advised that he had War-era soldiers or civilians greasing the Bill, whose expertise is greatest in been a cap-and-ball six-gun shooter for the front of their revolver cylinder chambers, Confederate ordnance matters, went on to last half-century. Wagner advised that he and few complaints of multiple ignition. note that there was no standard bullet had “found an excellent material to avoid Actually, earlier 19th-century com- lubricant composition specified in the flash-over ignition.” It is the common wax plaints of chain fires were almost invari- Confederacy and that each arsenal used its toilet seating ring – the floor base upon ably traced to loose-fitting percussion own favorite formula. Some Confederate which the toilet sits and by which it is caps. A loose cap or two would fall off facilities used 1/3 beeswax and others used sealed. when the handgun recoiled, exposing the 1/2 beeswax combined with tallow or an Wagner maintained, wrote Art, that rear of one or more chambers to flashover otherwise undefined “grease,” but with no the wax is “effective, clean, not prone to fire, and consequent ignition of multiple explanation of the source. melting in the heat, and isn’t as messy as chambers. Frontal cross ignition is possi- Crisco.” He concluded by noting that ble, of course, if the bullets or balls used to New Uberti Six-Guns “these seals are inexpensive and available load the six-gun are undersized and can from any hardware store, labeled as ‘Wax move forward with recoil. If a ball shaves While on the subject of 19th-century Toilet Bowl Gasket.’” lead on loading, however, firing more than style handguns, it might be a good time to Even if he hadn’t disclosed that he one chamber at a time due to frontal igni- mention that Uberti has announced that it had been shooting cap and ball handguns tion is well nigh impossible. is introducing six new models in its for 50 years, Mr. Wagner’s mention of Lubricant smeared over the front of a “Horseman” series of single-action army Crisco as a black powder lubricant would chamber can, however, keep fouling down, style revolvers. The new offerings include have given his age and experience away. although that did not matter much in the two new calibers, .22 LR and .44 Magnum, When I started shooting muzzle-loaders, Civil War, when revolvers were rarely, if each available in the traditional three bar- both rifle muskets and cap and ball ever, reloaded in action. Today’s range People using this venerable product “back rel lengths of 4¾, 5½, and 7½ inches. revolvers, in the 1960s, it was the most shooter, of course, wants to fire more than in the day” for their range lube needs may The Horseman is a Colt Model 1873 commonly used range lubricant. six rounds in a session, and lubricant helps recognize the packaging. Chemical clone that incorporates a modern transfer- “Back in the day,” we would smear in that case. My solution has been to use Heritage Foundation photo, courtesy bar safety system, making it safe to load Crisco over the lubrication rings of our Wonder Wads behind a round ball, and a six rounds in the cylinder rather than hav- wikipedia.com. Minie balls and in their hollow bases, and bit of grease on the cylinder pin, but some ing to leave the hammer down on an empty slather it on the front of our revolver cham- still like moist lubricant. The less messy chamber. The fit, feel, and finish of the bers once powder and ball were loaded – the better, though, so Mr. Wagner’s toilet had analyzed SPG, a popular and effective Horseman is similar to the original Colts, although automotive water pump grease bowl wax suggestion is actually pretty black powder lubricant, and “found that it but the transfer bar, as well as a coil main- was an alternate favorite as well. It good advice. was beeswax and peanut oil,” further not- spring, provide significant internal mod- worked, for sure, and you could load and My own preference in lubricants for ing correctly that “any non-mineral oil, be ernizations that Uberti claims make their fire a rifle musket all afternoon without Minie balls is a beeswax/tallow mix, simi- it safflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or guns “stronger and easier to handle.” cleaning if you lubed the bullets with lar to the original formula. As an aside on corn oil, can be mixed with beeswax to Horseman models also have a wider trig- Crisco – and I never had a revolver “chain lubricants, I asked my friend Bill Adams to produce a decent lube.” Bill mixed Mobil ger than the original Colts. For more infor- fire.” It was, however, a messy procedure. venture an opinion and he advised me that 1 synthetic motor oil and beeswax for sev- mation on the full line of A. Uberti prod- What effect Crisco, or any other a friend of his with access to a laboratory eral years for his own use and recalled that ucts go to www.uberti.com.

NEED TO SELL SOMETHING? from Ducks, p. 1 Mallards: 10.9 million, which is sim- Northern pintails: 3.2 million, which ilar to the 2013 estimate and 42% above is similar to the 2013 estimates and were ing loss of grasslands and wetlands across the long-term average. 20% below the long-term average. Advertise your product or service the Prairie Pothole Region will increasing- Gadwall: 3.8 million, which is simi- Redheads: 1.3 million, which is sim- ly impact the number of ducks in the fall lar to the 2013 estimate and 102% above ilar to their 2013 estimates and were 85% in the NJFSN to reach a target flight in the long-term.” the long-term average. above the long-term average. audience of thousands of dedicat- The spring surveys provide the sci- American wigeon: 3.1 million, Canvasbacks: 0.7 million, which is ed outdoorsmen and women. entific basis for many management pro- which is 18% above the 2013 estimate and similar to their 2013 estimates and were grams across the continent, including 20% above the long-term average. 18% above the long-term average. Contact the Editor of this paper hunting season dates and bag limits. The Green-winged teal: 3.4 million, Scaup: 4.6 million, which is similar (see p. 2) for more information. four flyway councils and the US Fish and which is similar to the 2013 estimate and to the 2013 estimate and similar to the Wildlife Service Regulations Committee 69% above the long-term average. long-term average. met in late July to recommend the season Blue-winged teal: 8.5 million, which Black ducks (Eastern Survey Area): structure and bag limits for 2014-15. is similar to the 2013 estimate and 75% 619,000, which is similar to the 2013 esti- POACHING Individual states will make their specific above the long-term average. mate and similar to the long-term average. selections within a federal framework of Northern shovelers: 5.3 million, View all the data and get a species- season length, bag limit and dates. which is similar to the 2013 estimate and by-species breakdown at www.ducks.- IS A CRIME Species estimates are: 114% above the long-term average. org/DuckNumbers. Events for August, 2014

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 YOU ARE ITS VICTIM 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

RVTA Fishing Knee Deep Club YOU CAN HELP! Contest Catfish Derby fishrvta.com kneedeepclub.org If you have information on a poacher, PLEASE call today - you 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 could be helping to insure a good Appalachian Knee Deep Club Bowmen 3D future for our wildlife. Catfish Derby Archery Shoot kneedeepclub.org appalchianbowmen.org CALL: 1-800-222-0456 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Calls are toll-free Appalachian NWTF and confidential. Bowmen 3D RVTA Meeting Banquet/Auction Teddy Bear Charity Archery Shoot fishrvta.com tricountylongbeard- Shoot/Picnic Contributions are welcome - make appalchianbowmen.org snwtf.org njsta.com your check out to: 24 25 26 27 28 28 30 Operation Game Thief PO Box 10173 Trenton, NJ 08650-0173 31 August 2014 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Page 11

ing. He pulled no punches. can disguise their seismic blasting as “Shame on Rutgers University for something other than an oil-related pro- allowing themselves to be used in the pro- gram, in this instance a program that can and posed climate study using seismic testing benefit humanity, they can launch their Tight Lines purportedly to track changes in sea level seismic testing program with no public for the last 60-million years,” he wrote. hearings, and no notice for the public to “Rutgers has joined with Columbia comment. That’s pretty devious.” Straightaway Shots University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth So, I asked Lovgren: where does that Observatory, the National Science leave commercial and recreational Foundation and the University of Texas to anglers? assess deep sea sediments from today to 60 “The ship (for seismic testing) sits by Robert Brunisholz million years ago to better understand cli- somewhere down off the coast of the mate change and historical changes in sea Carolinas. Just waiting, I’d guess, to find level. This will purportedly allow us to out where or when to start, or whether to prepare for drastic changes that some sci- start at all. The program was scheduled to entists predict will happen because of begin June 2 or 3, but so far, nothing has global warming. I think Hurricane Sandy happened and we hope it stays that way,” Sizing Up Seismic Testing has done a pretty good job of that already.” Lovgren said. But Lovgren wasn’t finished. In fact, Fote also responded to an email in he was just getting started. which I inquired about the current situa- For some reason, I felt an uneasy standing, when gasoline prices soar— “Less than two years ago the fishing tion. His response was timely and fitting: compulsion, or perhaps an excuse, to offer especially when due to inept and bungling industry and environmentalists united in a “The battle continues,” Fote wrote. readers prior to getting into the nitty-gritty government policies—if I had bumper successful effort to stop a proposed oil I’ve always scoffed at the tree-hugger of this month’s column. The reason for my stickers proclaiming, “Drill, baby, drill!” industry study that would take place along contingent of so-called environmentalists angst focused on the fact that hypocrites or “Drill Here, Drill Now!” I’d stick ‘em the whole Atlantic Coast,” Lovgren contin- and still do. Given my druthers, I’d con- are not exactly my favorite people, and for on my Jeep. ued, “and last for a period of eight years struct an oil well right smack on top of an my money, many politicians (from both That said, back to seismic testing. using seismic testing to locate oil and gas endangered three-toed salamander’s nest sides of the aisle) as well as their deep- According to the May edition of the reserves hidden deep beneath the ocean or sink a drill bit dead center in a snail pocketed corporate donors fit nicely into Jersey Coast Angler’s Association floor. That testing would have allowed the darter’s breeding ground if it would create that category. I, for one, do not wish read- newsletter, publisher Tom Fote of Island ‘level A taking’ of an estimated 138,612 jobs here in the U.S. and help wean us ers to lump me in with that same group of Heights said Texas A&M and Rutgers marine mammals.” Note that the term from Arab oil. charlatans, thus the need for an explana- recently proposed seismic testing to take “taking” is a euphemism for serious bodily I would not, however, wreck one of tion. place some 15 miles east of Barnegat inlet. harm and death. the world’s top-rated marine fisheries. We’re dealing today with a process The testing of rock formations would, both And where can one find someone as Admittedly, sometimes the other side, or labeled “seismic testing” or more appro- institutions claimed, aid in researching cli- straight-talking as a commercial ship’s more specifically in this instance, my side priately, seismic blasting. The so-called mate change that supposedly took place captain? (the capitalists among us), has to be reined testing is (or was) slated to take place some “60 million years ago,” according to “The total hypocrisy of the proposal in also. Big Oil and lots of additional cor- along the coastal areas of New Jersey, right Fote. was exposed by the simple fact that the porations sometimes tend to be like the smack atop of some of the world’s finest Fote and I have both been down the National Marine Fisheries Service was proverbial Missouri mule: sometimes grounds for food fish as well as game fish road and around the bend a few more times enforcing an almost total ban on marine somebody has to whack them upside the and thousands of other species of marine than your average 30-year old angler, and mammal takings by the commercial fish- head with a two-by-four to get their atten- life. Fote can spot fallacious credenda at more ing industry, shutting down whole fisheries tion, and in this instance, Jim Lovgren held As this column unfolds, you will see than 200 yards. if they killed a couple of dolphins or turtles a righteous and solid, albeit metaphorical, the testing was supposedly for the purpose “They must think anglers and our and causing millions of dollars in lost two-by-four in his hands: his pen. of determining how much (or how little) legislature are stupid,” Fote wrote. “We all income,” Lovgren added. “Now, however, Though so-called Big Oil carefully global warming is affecting planet earth. know [that] if you are doing work to study they will be allowing more marine mam- avoided getting their collective finger- By-the-by, global warming never did live rock formations, you are actually looking mal deaths in a year through seismic test- prints on this most recent seismic blasting up to its label, so the scam artists who run for oil and gas. Every legislator I spoke ing than would have been caused by com- program, Lovgren pointed out it was more this world-wide swindle changed its title to with recognizes this ruse.” mercial fishing in decades.” than mere suspicion that caused him to “climate change.” So, precisely what is seismic testing, Agree with Lovgren or not, I was conclude the reason Big Oils’ prints are not Climate change, in the sense that it is and why are anglers opposed to it? delighted with his tell-it-like-it-is, no- on the current program is because they preached by Al Gore and his team of scien- Fote explained the process in the holds-barred letter. So I called him at his wore gloves when the crime was commit- tific sages, has become a form of institu- June edition of the JCAA’s newsletter. In home. ted. tionalized duplicitousness that would order to “read” the so-called geological “This issue goes back a little more “Though there are enough circum- make former stockbroker and financier features below the ocean’s surface, scien- than two years when this seismic testing stantial indications that anyone with an Bernie Madoff look like Mother Teresa, tists “…blast the ocean with sound pulses was attempted once before,” Lovgren told ounce of common sense could link big oil but that’s a column for another day. that are orders of magnitude louder than a me, noting this most recent attempt to to the seismic testing program, there is also There are, however, some who say jet engine,” Fote explained, “and those revive seismic testing involved an end-run more than merely suspicion. Their own this seismic testing was to benefit the bot- pulses occur every five seconds, 24 hours around anglers and those concerned about proposal states, ‘the information gathered tom line of those unethical and unscrupu- a day, for 30 days. These explosive sounds a dramatic loss of marine life. “At that may be useful to the oil and gas industry.’ lous profiteers called “Big Oil.” And that will have devastating impacts on all time, however, they didn’t even try to hide If that happens, we can expect a full-court my friends, is where the potential for label- marine life, including whales, dolphins, the fact that they planned the testing to press to drill off of New Jersey’s coast,” ing yours truly a hypocrite come into play. sea turtles, food and sportfish and shell- benefit the oil industry. But we banned Lovgren said. For the record, I am not an adversary fish,” Fote noted, adding, “they (the puls- together with recreational anglers, com- Lovgren has it right. Shame on of so-called Big Oil. I firmly believe that a es) will also harm New Jersey’s tourism mercial fishermen, environmental groups, Rutgers, Texas A&M and the others free market capitalist system is what made and fishing industries.” and New Jersey’s Department of involved in this recent attempt to skirt pub- this nation great and a land of opportunity. The proposed testing is funded by the Environmental Protection was of immense lic hearings by being less than truthful I fully recognize that oil companies are in National Science Foundation, a govern- help.” about what is really going on here. business to make a profit. Were they not, ment agency in the business of doling out “During that first attempt, we shut Finally, there is a petition anglers can they would have gone the way of the grants, in conjunction with Rutgers, the them down because public hearings were sign that will aid in shining some public buggy whip decades ago. They have share- University of Texas (Texas A&M), and required, and those opposed to the pro- light on this most recent seismic blasting holders and board members to whom they Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty gram turned out in great numbers, includ- issue. Simply plug in “Clean Ocean must answer, and if the person at the helm Earth Observatory. ing the state’s DEP,” said Lovgren. But Action” into your Internet search engine fails to produce those obscene (as seen by In the June edition of JCAA’s they must have learned a lesson from that and you’ll find a link that will bring you to the left wing) profits, s/he would soon be newsletter, Jim Lovgren, a commercial first aborted effort. a site on which you can sign the petition. looking for other means of gainful fishermen out of Point Pleasant, wrote a “Now, it’s two years later and this employment. And to avoid any misunder- scathing retort concerning seismic blast- time they must have figured out that if they from Cats, p. 1 including Ontario’s Ministry of Natural which have wandered east from the Prairie cougars are breeding here. However, as the Resources, which said there is conclusive States in search of females. Spatz also Cougar Rewilding Foundation’s 15 years cougars is difficult because many are held evidence—including paw prints and noted the inaccuracy of reporting, citing a of investigations have come up empty, he illegally without permits, he says. feces—that cougars do still live in the California study concluding that 95% of has to admit the fish and game agencies are Meanwhile, cougars from other parts Canadian state. The last confirmed eastern sightings in cougar habitat are something correct. With the exception of Florida, of the country have slowly been migrating cougar in Ontario was killed in 1884, and other than cougars, generally house cats. there is no evidence of cougars breeding in east, much as coyotes have spread none have been photographed since then.” Spatz said that he had really hoped New Jersey, or anywhere east of the Prairie throughout the country in recent decades, (The ministry does acknowledge the possi- that the position of state fish and game States. although McCollough said it “seemed bility that the cougars might not be native agencies in the east was wrong, and that unlikely that any had gotten anywhere to the area.) close to New England yet.” John Lutz, director of the Eastern I recently asked the opinion of Len Puma Research Network, a group dedicat- Wolgast, Ph.D., professor emeritus of ed to finding evidence of the cougar’s con- wildlife ecology and management at tinued existence, told Pennsylvania’s Club News Wanted! Rutgers University and a former member Times Leader that they have collected of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council. 11,000 reports of cougar sightings since Wolgast agrees with Mr. McCollough: any 1965. “There will be more reports to prove resident cougars in New Jersey are [the FWS] wrong,” he said. Is your club holding a special event? escaped or released pets, if not other cats As a follow-up to my talk with Len misidentified as cougars. There are no Wolgast, I called Chris Spatz of the Cougar Celebrating a landmark anniversary? Let breeding pairs in the state, he says. Rewilding Foundation (www.eastern- In spite of the above, there are those cougar.org). Chris lives in New York State, the rest of the Federation know! Send your who believe there is a breeding population and has investigated big cat sightings in of cougars here. Again, from the Scientific the NJ/NY area for a decade. news to the Editor of this paper (contact American blog: I expected Spatz to disagree with “The declaration of the eastern Len Wolgast, but he didn’t. He said that information on Page 2). cougar’s extinction raised hackles from cougars in the eastern US are either numerous people and organizations, released/escaped pets or young males Page 12 NEW JERSEY FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS August 2014 Please Patronize VISIT THE FEDERATION ON THE INTERNET AT Our Advertisers www.njsfsc.org

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