The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has recently announced changes to their Get Outdoors day camps. A recent press release says,

Three sessions of day camps are being offered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters as part of their award-winning Get Outdoors youth education and outreach program. The new O.F.A.H. Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre, which just opened in April, will serve as the base camp. Children ages 6 and 7 will attend the August 9-11 session, 8 to 10 year olds are set for August 16-18 and youth from 11 to 13 years will have the last session, August 23-25…Day campers will take part in scavenger hunts, create themed crafts, and learn to recognize wildlife and their calls. Scheduled special guests include the K9 unit (conservation officers and their dogs), and for the younger campers, the Paddling Puppeteers. A BBQ and awards presentation will wrap up every session. The day camps are modeled after the O.F.A.H.’s highly successful overnight Get Outdoors summer leadership camps that take place in July near Huntsville. Entire Article Here

There is currently a waiting list for the leadership camps. Don’t delay because it is expected that the day camps will fill quickly as well.

Watch highlights from last summer below (OFAH sent me some photos and I put them in a video format).

According to Global News,

“On Friday morning, the OPP recovered the body of Gavin Jamieson, of Tiny Township, east of Cedar Point, in Georgian Bay. Later in the afternoon, they pulled out the the body of 26-year old Matthew James Elson, also of Tiny Township.” Entire Article Here

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these 2 anglers.

Admission is $5 and to set-up your own display table the costs is $35.

Doors open on Saturday 9 AM to 4PM and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM.

The Tiverton Sports Arena is located:
King St. (HWY 21 N)
Tiverton, ON

Contact: Jeff at (519)386-5278 or (905) 623-1778
Email: Canadiangunowner@rogers.com

TO REGISTER:
Send name, address, phone number & date of birth for each person registering, with a cheque, to Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, 150 Front St. South, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 4S7.

Adults: $15.00 / Children Under 16: $5.00 – GST included.

Your registration form will be on file at Perch Festival Headquarters, Tudhope Park. Please pick up registration before you start fishing.

Opening Ceremonies:
Friday April 16, 2010 – 7:00 pm
ODAS Park, Fairgrounds Road

Special OPP Kids Day:
Saturday May 01, 2010 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tudhope Park, Atherley Road

Closing Ceremonies:
Saturday May 08, 2010 – 7:00 pm
Best Western Mariposa Inn, Memorial Avenue

Perch Festival Live Release Program is operated by the Orillia Fish & Game Conservation Club. For Club information, call 826-4263 or John at 325-2864

Visit the Perch Festival webpage

The TSS is introducing a “5 after 5” promotion where attendees pay only $5 for show entry after 5 p.m. For our frequent Red Rocket travelers, TTC Metropass holders will receive $5 off family admission to the show any time of day. Driving instead? Free shuttle service is being offered from Harbourfront parking areas.

March 17 to 21, 2010

“Since 1948 more than 5 million people have visited the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show and we look forward to hosting millions more at our new home at the MTCC,” said Show Manager Heather MacRae. “This year is poised to be the biggest and best on record.”

The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show continues to be a rite of passage into the spring season for anyone interested in the great outdoors. More than 400 exhibitors are slotted for the 2010 show offering an exciting lineup of the latest gear for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, canoeing, travel and boating.

The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show runs from March 17 – 21, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For complete show information visit: http://www.torontosportshow.ca
What: The 2010 Toronto Sportsmen’s Show

When: Wednesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 18, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 21, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
255 Front Street West, Toronto

Details: Adults: $17
Juniors: $11
Seniors: $11
Children: Free when accompanied by an adult (under six years)
Family Pass: $40 (two adults & two juniors)

For more information:
Heather MacRae, Show Manager
Tel: 905.361.5242
E-mail: macrae@sportshows.ca

For media registration and to receive show updates please contact:
Olga Petrycki
PUNCH Canada Inc.
T: 416.360.6522 x.226
E: olga@punchcanada.com

About CNSS
As a non-profit corporation, Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows is committed to conserving Canada’s outdoors and instilling Canadian youth with an appreciation for nature and outdoor activity. CNSS uses the proceeds from these shows to support and promote outdoor campaigns and programs in Canada. Since the first show in 1948, more than $31 million has been donated.

“Ice fishing is a great Canadian winter pastime and a very family-friendly activity,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “We invite families across Ontario to take the opportunity to head out to a nearby lake or pond during Ontario Family Fishing Weekend and drop a line. It’s a terrific way to connect with our natural resources.” “If you’ve never tried fishing, this is the perfect time,” said the Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources, of the upcoming license-free fishing opportunity.

Fast Facts:

• Safety first. Check conditions before you head out and frequently while out. Clear ice should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) for walking. Anything less is not safe. Carry rescue equipment and a whistle or cell phone.
• Across Ontario, Canadian residents do not require a fishing licence from February 13-15, but must follow all other fishing regulations, which can be found in the Fishing Ontario, 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. Copies are available online at www.ontario.ca/fishing and in print from ServiceOntario centres.
• OFFW events are currently registered for the following communities: Bancroft, Cambridge, Cardiff, Espanola, Ennismore, Hearst, Honey Harbour, Marmora, New Liskeard, Ottawa, Pefferlaw, Trout Creek and Verona. Other family-friendly events may also be planned so check your local listings. Visit www.familyfishingweekend.com for details.
• Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is an initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The program includes a winter weekend and a summer event in July which runs concurrent with National Fishing Week. The OFFW Steering Committee is comprised of the O.F.A.H., MNR, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association.

With 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading nonprofit fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario. To learn more, visit www.ofah.org.

*Press Release Used With Permission

Hon. Linda Jeffrey

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters reports that the Ontario MNR has a new Minister at the helm. The new Minister also ushers in a major change to the Ontario MNR’s Fish and Wildlife Division. An OFAH press release states,

As part of the provincial cabinet shuffle announced Monday, Linda Jeffrey, M.P.P. for Brampton-Springdale, will take the helm as the new Minister of Natural Resources. “We welcome Minister Jeffrey to the post, and look forward to working with her on matters of mutual importance to her ministry and Ontario’s anglers and hunters,” said Mike Reader, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.). “When it comes to the sound conservation management of our fish and wildlife, and respect for our heritage traditions, the Minister will have no greater ally than one of the province’s largest stakeholders, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.” Entire Article Here

The announcement of the new Minister to the MNR was post-amble to a previous important news release about the Fish and Wildlife Branch. OFAH shares that,

“The Natural Resources Management Division, that housed the Fish and Wildlife Branch has been eliminated under the new organizational chart, which now divides fish and wildlife responsibilities between two new divisions, Policy (Biodiversity Branch) and Provincial Services (Fish and Wildlife Services Branch). Given the successful track record of O.F.A.H./MNR partnerships in such biodiversity-driven initiatives as the Invading Species Awareness Program and Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program, the move may spark new opportunities to work toward a common purpose.” Entire Article Here

My Take: I’ll hold my judgment until we get through the next several months. It will be interesting to see what happens once the dust settles. I really only have two immediate thoughts on these announcements:

1. A more effective change would be an announcement about increasing the number of conservation officers in each WMU or FMZ. This would help ensure our resources are better protected and managed – not department changes.
2. I hope the department change does NOT mean that the dedicated funds from our fishing and hunting licenses will not be spread out to other department resources that have nothing to do with conservation initiatives.