Muskoka Outdoors Network

Canada's first National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Congress will be hosted at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, May 27-31, 2012. According to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters this Canadian Congress will:

"... bring together leading fish and wildlife scientists, government leaders, federal, provincial, state and local fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and anglers and hunters to participate in plenary sessions, workshops, discussions and debates about the future of fish and wildlife resources in North America. If you manage or study fish and game populations, are involved in the outdoor community or your lifestyle depends on the sustainable use of fish and wildlife populations, you will want to join us in Ottawa, May 27 – 31, 2012." Entire Article Here

Be sure to visit the National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Congress website for more details.

According to a Globe and Mail news report, Toronto resident and legal gun owner (and collector), Peter Sedge, was removed from his home at gunpoint by Toronto police in May, 2008. His 120 legally stored, and collected, guns were seized by police as well. All 14 firearm related charges were dropped 10 months later and his guns returned. The lawsuit has named Toronto police and the individuals who told police about his large gun collection.

Mr. Sedge, through his lawyers, told the Globe and Mail that,

"... the arrest “completely unnecessary” because his client was licensed and had no criminal record. Ontario’s chief firearms officer, who is in charge of licensing, could have been called in to inspect the site or confirm Mr. Sedge’s licence and registration..." Entire Globe and Mail Article Here

Muskoka Outdoors is curious to see how this law suit will play out. What bothers me about the story, as reported, are a few glaring questions that need to be asked:

1. With a billion dollar-plus long gun registry in place, that police 'SAY' they check on 'every' call, you would think the fact that the man was a legal gun collector and owner would be noted before the raid?
2. Why a raid on a legal gun owner with no prior criminal charges? Why not arrive with the proper paperwork and inspection team at a more appropriate time of day. This is only speculation, but I doubt the person 'reporting' on Mr. Sedge called police minutes before midnight.
3. Should legal gun owners be worried that a raid will homing in on their private residences in very much the same way they occur for drug, gang and other criminal shake-downs? I would say yes. It happened in British Columbia, in 2008, for example. Four men were removing their encased firearms from their vehicle when a 'do-gooder' called it in. The men and long-guns were seized shortly after - then released. Read about that incident here.

Meanwhile, back in the world of crime and illegal gun users, the Liberal long gun registry is not even a concern. Police don't know where their guns are...

Canada's fishing legend, Bob Izumi, scored his first U.S. bass fishing tournament win last week.  Bob won the EverStart Series Northern Division event on 1000 Islands (July 28 - 30, 2011). WFN reports that his three-day bass total was 15 bass that massed a substantial 58 pounds and 1 ounce.

The WFN article shares Izumi's tackle secret for his historic event:

"... he [Izumi] caught all of his tournament fish in 24 to 42 feet of water using a drop-shot rig tipped with a 3-inch watermelon pearl Gulp! Minnow or a 3-inch green pumpkin Gulp! Fry. His rig consisted of a ½- to 5/8-ounce weight on 10-pound-test Trilene Fluorocarbon and either a G. Loomis or Shimano Crucial drop-shot rod." Entire WFN article here

Congratulations Bob!

*I was able to exchange emails with Bob last November with a set of interview questions. His responses are here.

Lake Vernon has recently been the site of a bizarre fish bite in a normally peaceful cottage setting. Muskoka's Cottage Country Now recently reported that on July 15, 2011 a swimming pre-schooler's foot was bitten by a fish while in the water with her parents. The youngster was taken to local Huntsville Hospital for treatment to multiple foot lacerations. The article suggests that the child's recent pedicure may have precipitated the rare attack:

"The mother suspects the toddler’s fancy pedicure may have had something to do with the attack; Anika’s toenails were brightly painted and decorated with butterfly stencils. Her wiggling, sparkly toes may have seemed like a delicious morsel to the hungry predator swimming by." Entire article and photos at Cottage Country Now

The young cottager is expected to completely recover.

Muskoka Outdoors theorizes that the offending fish was a Northern Pike (photo above) as it is the only fish species, in Lake Vernon, that is capable of these kind of injuries. Muskie are not currently present in the lake. We are fully capable to reduce and eliminate any hostile pike near your docks.