Muskoka Outdoors Network

Without acting to appeal by Monday June 13, 2011, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) will not be able to proceed with a lawsuit that could have closed hunting on National Wildlife Refuge System land parcels.

A recent press release from the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, a group dedicated to protecting the rights of sportsmen, shares that,

"This long-running case began in 2003, when the Fund for Animals, which later merged with the HSUS, filed a lawsuit to stop hunting on 39 refuges. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with other organizations, intervened on behalf of sportsmen. Anti-hunting groups later expanded the lawsuit to nearly 60 refuges. USSAF defended this case for eight years, through many rounds of hard-fought and costly briefing, providing stability in the defense as the U.S. attorneys assigned to the case changed frequently over that time. 
Judge Gwin’s April 2011 ruling stopped HSUS' attempt at using the National Environmental Policy Act to close hunting on these refuges. In making the decision, the judge noted that “Plaintiffs, however, are not entitled to an inviolate sanctuary for their preferred uses – Congress has determined that, to the extent possible, hunters, fishers, observers, photographers, and educators must share the refuge.”
 The 1997 Refuge Improvement Act, championed by the USSA, made hunting, fishing and other wildlife oriented activities priority uses on refuge units. The Act also mandated hunting and fishing activities be "facilitated"."

For more details visit the USSA website

Muskoka turkey hunters will want to consider attending the National Wild Turkey Federation's 1st Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet being held at the Muskoka Riverside Inn in Bracebridge, Ontario. The date of the event is Thursday June 9, 2011 with a 5:30 pm start time.

The purpose of the dinner event is to raise funds to benefit Muskoka's wildlife and turkey habitat conservation efforts and to support our area's hunting and conservation culture. Live and silent auctions will feature items donated by businesses in Muskoka.

For ticket information contact Perry Beirness at 705-385-0500 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Bill draft 1080, as presented to the Maine Legislature by Representative Alan M. Casavant (D- Biddeford), could criminalize bear trapping and bear hunting with dogs.

In a news report from the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, the hunting advocate group quotes, Skip Trask, of the Maine Trapper's Association. Skip says,

“Maine has more bears per square mile of habitat than any other state and the population is continuing to expand. This fact doesn’t matter to animal extremists who try to attack our bear harvesting methods every chance they get,” said Skip Trask with the Maine Trappers Association.  “Trapping and hunting with dogs are important and necessary tools for managing our large black bear population.”

For more details on this bill and how you can help visit the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance website.

Muskoka Outdoors Opinion:

This news hits home for me.  Ontario saw it's government cave to anti-hunting propaganda and pressure to eliminate a spring bear hunt.  Despite a strong and healthy black bear population, perceived public backlash, during an election year, removed a cost-effective management tool. It is one thing to stop hunting when population numbers are being impacted negatively, but another thing to stop hunting at the whim, and demand, of anti-hunting groups.

I hope Maine can end this bill from being passed.

The 2011 Perth / Lanark Gun, Hunting and Sportsman Show will be held on April 16 and 17, 2011.  The venue for the constantly growing event is the Lanark Community Centre.  Please note this location change from previous years.

Visitors to the event can expect to see military items, knives, gun parts, archery gear, ammunition, fishing tackle and equipment, antique and modern firearms, hunting gear and buy/sell/trade new and used collectibles.

Admission: $6

Times: Saturday 9am to 4pm and Sunday 9am to 3pm

Tables are available for $40 for the weekend.  Vendor inquires can be made to Jeff at:

905-623-1778 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it