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 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)

For over 100,000 Ontario residents, the month of October is a time to dig out the hunter orange clothing and participate in the annual moose hunt. The Ontario Conservation Officers Association (O.C.O.A.) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) want to wish all Ontario hunters a safe and successful hunt.

“During the moose hunt, Conservation Officers (C.O.’s) will focus their activities on violations that threaten our moose herds and public safety,” says O.C.O.A. President Dan VanExan. “Officers will be out in force � conducting uniformed patrols, running road check stations, and undertaking specialized investigations targeting habitual violators.”

“Responsible hunters strive to maintain the highest standards of public safety and have a profound respect for wildlife,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director Mike Reader. “Hunters and anglers led the conservation movement in North America more than a hundred years ago, and to this day are leading efforts to conserve and enhance wildlife throughout the province. Hunters are partners in wildlife management, and they respect wildlife seasons and limits which ensure a sustainable harvest, today and into the future.”

Every year, C.O.’s investigate cases of moose carcasses that are found abandoned in the bush. This often occurs when hunters mistakenly shoot an animal for which they are not licensed, and leave the animal to rot because they are afraid of being charged for their mistake. C.O.’s are hunters themselves, and have the utmost respect for someone who calls to report accidentally shooting the wrong moose. Hunters are encouraged to report any accidental kills immediately, and to trust officers to respect this cooperation during their investigation.

“Officers will have zero tolerance for anyone who allows a moose to spoil,” said VanExan. “Walking away from an honest mistake and allowing a valuable game animal to be wasted is an offence that no one should tolerate. Help us do our jobs by reporting this illegal and unethical behavior.”

Anyone who observes illegal or unsafe hunting activity is asked to help C.O.’s protect our natural resources and ensure public safety by calling the M.N.R.’s violation reporting line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7677), or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information about natural resources regulations and enforcement, please visit the O.C.O.A. website at www.ocoa.ca or contact your local Conservation Officer.

Representing more than 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the province’s largest nonprofit fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, and the voice of anglers and hunters.

Contact
Lezlie Goodwin
Communications Coordinator
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
705-748-6324 ext 270

Dan VanExan
President
Ontario Conservation Officers Association
(613) 478-6132

*Press Release used with Permission

For those of you who missed the deadline yesterday, the Ontario MNR has JUST extended the deadline until July 6, 2009. Hunters with a valid hunting version Outdoors Card can apply to the Antlerless Deer Tag Draw by phone using the automated phone system 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800- 288-1155. The deadline for telephone applications is now 11:55 p.m. (ET) on July 6.

Consider yourselves lucky.

A press release from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) stated that they appreciated the gesture from the Ministry. OFAH Biologist, Ed Reid, said that,

“The annual allocation of antlerless deer tags to licensed hunters is the most effective means the Ministry of Natural Resources has for managing deer populations and reducing potential deer conflicts with people. It is important that all eligible deer hunters have a chance to obtain available deer tags.”

There has been a change in the Ontario Antlerless Deer Draw deadline for 2009. It comes much earlier this year. The date is:

June 30, 2009.

Call the automated draw phone line NOW: 1-800-288-1155