Press Release: In just five short weeks, boaters, families and outdoor enthusiasts alike will descend upon the 63rd Toronto Sportsmen’s Show (TSS) – the largest combined outdoors, fishing and boating show in Canada. For five action-packed days, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will host thousands of visitors as they explore exhibits and enjoy entertainment highlighting the best in outdoor adventure.

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.

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.

The Hunting Business Marketing website rated my “Coyote Closely” blog post as being one of the top 50 posts of 2009.

Coyote howling at dawn

I don’t claim to be a good writer – I just love what I blog about. This is why it is nice to get noticed. I would like to thank Dayne Shuda for taking the time to read through and post a link to “Coyote Closely” from his website. It is a nice surprise.

More importantly, there are 49 more blog posts listed there that you NEED to read. They are awesome! I have not read through all the links yet, but I am working on it over the holidays. You will find some excellent blogs listed that you may not have even known existed. Visit the Hunting Business Marketing site here.

Thanks Dayne!

Bill C-391, An amendment to the Criminal Code (repeal of the long gun registry), passed a major hurdle in the legislative process earlier today when it was approved at Second Reading in the House of Commons.

For 14 years, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) has been determinedly fighting to scrap the long gun registry through media campaigns, rallies, presentations and meetings with public officials and politicians, and most recently, a national online petition.

The bill, a simple and straightforward piece of legislation was introduced earlier this year by Candice Hoeppner, Conservation M.P. for Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba. Once passed, the bill will provide for the repeal of the ill fated and much maligned long gun registry, created by the former Liberal government as part of Bill C-68 in 1995. The requirement to take firearms safety training, obtain a license and practice safe storage and transportation of legal firearms will not be impacted upon by the legislation.

“This is an important moment for law-abiding firearms owners across Canada. Since 1995, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, our provincial and territorial affiliates, recreational shooting organizations, hunters and farmers have been calling on the government to abolish the long gun registry, a paper trail nightmare which has cost Canadian taxpayers almost $2 billion dollars, a far cry from the promised $2 million dollar price tag,” said O.F.A.H. Manager of Government Relations and Communications, Greg Farrant. “We appreciate the fact that several members of the New Democratic and Liberal opposition in Parliament recognized the importance of this issue to their constituents and voted their conscience. Over the last few years, every major public opinion poll has clearly indicated that Canadians believe that the system has failed the test and hasn�t enhanced public safety or saved lives.”

The vote was one step in a long process that has seen law-abiding firearms owners across Canada and almost 80,000 signatories on petitions earlier this year urging the government to end the long gun registry. Two major police associations, some police chiefs and many frontline police officers across Canada have also indicated that they support elimination of the long gun registry.

“There is still much work to be done before Bill C-391 is finally passed, however this speaks to one important aspect of the government�s larger commitment to scrap Bill C-68. Ms. Hoeppner has shown a great deal of perseverance and has fulfilled a commitment to her constituents. She deserves a great deal of credit for recognizing the problem and tackling the issue head on,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader. “The bottom line is that criminals don�t register firearms. Instead of creating a paper chase for the law-abiding, the system needs to be revamped to focus on law breakers who use illegal firearms, many of them smuggled into Canada from the U.S., to commit crimes in our communities.”

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

Contact
Greg Farrant
Manager, Government Relations and Communications
705-748-6324 ext 236
705-875-0274 (cell)

Lezlie Goodwin
O.F.A.H. Communications Coordinator
705-748-6324 ext 270

*Press Release Used With Permission

Outdoor Canada has released their annual Canadian hunting forecast. It covers most major game species. Follow the link below to visit their website:

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Belleville Police Service are asking hunters to help in the recovery of a 66-year-old man who has been missing since March of 2008.

The O.F.A.H. first issued a call to hunters on this case in October of last year. Calvin Wallace Vanness was last heard from at 2:30 PM on March 26, 2008 when he called his brother in Arden, Ontario. He was expected at his brother�s house at 6:30 PM that day, but never arrived. Five days later, his vehicle was recovered in the car pool lot at Highway 401 and Highway 38 in Kingston, Ontario.

The investigation has been classified as a homicide. “Hunters are in the field at this time of year and are very familiar with their natural surroundings,” said Greg Farrant, O.F.A.H. Manager of Government Relations and Communications. “Belleville police approached us to ask our members and others to watch for anything that might assist them in this case, as hunters have been helpful in finding persons in the past.”

The Belleville Police Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Calvin Vanness. The reward, which expires on July 15, 2010, will be apportioned as deemed just by the Belleville Police Service.

Hunters and area residents are asked to pay careful attention to anything out of the ordinary, such as unusual ground displacements or depressions, garbage bags, sleeping bags, comforters, clothing, or personal property, but are asked not to disturb anything. Call the Belleville Police Service at 613-966-0882 as soon as possible.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

Contact
Lezlie Goodwin O.F.A.H. Communications Coordinator
705-748-6324 ext 270

Detective Peter L. Goulah
#15 Criminal Investigations Branch Belleville Police Service
613-966-0882 ext 2322 613-848-4632 (Cell)