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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

- CONSERVATION -
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) are excited to announce the recent purchase of 2,463 acres including 45 miles of shoreline along the Yadkin and South Yadkin Rivers in Davie, Davidson and Rowan counties.
- ENFORCEMENT -
Schools and education groups throughout Arkansas will have additional funding for conservation education thanks to fine money collected by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
- EVENTS -
Sensory Safari, which will be held at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo on Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon, will engage students with special needs throughout eastern Nebraska in wildlife, nature and natural resources through educational stations.

- FISHING TOURNAMENTS -
On day two of the 2019 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, anglerswill be permitted to use only Berkley products.
- GIVEAWAYS -
Guns & Gadgets Daily introduces their latest giveaway, created in Beto O’Rourke's honor for his “ ell, yes, we’re coming to take your AR-15, your AK-47” comment: the Molon Labe Giveaway. Between now and midnight on October 31, 2019, we’re giving away a custom-painted, one-of-a-kind AR-15, and an AK-47 to match, to one lucky winner.
- HUNTING -
Michigan's Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend is statewide, Sept. 21-22, for youth 16 and younger.
- INDUSTRY -
Davidson’s announced that Christopher Goodall has been promoted to the position of sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern call centers in Greensboro, NC and Chapin SC. Goodall joined Pro Force in 2015 and worked in both Shipping/Receiving, law enforcement sales and distribution.

Mossy Oak Properties-Tennessee Land and Farm, a full-service rural land brokerage based in Franklin, Tennessee, is pleased to announce it will be adding a Clarksville office location this month.
In addition to the popularity of Ravin crossbow products, Zanders has also seen steady growth in their archery accessory sales.
CSSI announced the addition of 2 more sales experts to the CSSI Sales Team. Beverly Boulware and Leslie Patino bring the total of new team members to 10 with 250+ combined years of experience.

 

Camfour Inc., a wholesaler of firearms, ammunition and accessories, announces that Christopher DiCenso is the new President of Camfour and its subsidiary Hill Country.

- JOBS -
Anyone interested in pursuing a career as a Michigan conservation officer is encouraged to review eligibility guidelines and submit an application for the Department of Natural Resources’ 10th conservation officer academy, set to start July 12, 2020, at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Dimondale.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Hard Core Apparel’s new REGULATE Series consists of four versatile and hardworking garments that can be worn as primary outerwear or as warmth-on-demand layering apparel as conditions dictate.
SureFire, LLC has launched an informational video on its revolutionary Optimized Bolt Carrier. The OBC  is designed to increase the reliability of an M4/M16/AR variant during both unsuppressed and suppressed firing.

 

- ONLINE -
Anderson Manufacturing announced that it launched a redesigned website with expanded online shopping capabilities. Coinciding with the launch, the company offers the AM-9 PCC Giveaway.

- ORGANIZATIONS -
The meeting , which will discuss red snapper, amberjack and other gulf fishery rules, will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel and Casino, located at 151 Beach Blvd. in Biloxi, Mississippi.
- PODCASTS -
The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) has announced the launch of a new podcast, the Alabama Bass Trail Podcast presented by Phoenix Bass Boats, (http://www.alabamabasstrail.org), a podcast providing detailed coverage of the latest ABT news and events geared toward fans of the fishing trail and its Tournament Series and other fishing enthusiasts.
- PUBLISHING -
This issue of Concealed Carry Handguns features numerous articles on handguns, ammo, gear and tactics.
This issue of Survivor’s Edge goes head-to-head with Hurricane Dorian in a new special “Disaster Preparation Guide” section. Also in this packed issue is the life-saving stories, gear reviews, and how-to instructions.

The cover story in Tactical Life is on Phantom Rescue, the gray men who strive to end human trafficking, a global criminal enterprise. In addition to these stories, there’s news on the latest optics, suppressors, handguns and tactics.
- RADIO -
National Collegiate Bass Fishing Champion team of Cole Floyd and Carter McNeil from Bethel University talk about what it takes and what it feels like to win it all.
Live from the 34th Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, it’s gun rights across the US and the world, this week on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk Radio.
- SPONSORSHIP -
Berger and Barrett Firearms have teamed up to sponsor a bonus stage during the 2019 NRA World Shooting Championship in Glengary, WV.

- SPONSORSHIPS -
If winning an FLW tournament has anything to do with paying your dues, Brian Latimer has a receipt paid in full.
Classic hunting rifle maker Montana Rifle Company has signed-on as the newest Corporate Sponsor of Safari Club International.
- STATES -
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled five meetings across the state in October to present its proposed waterfowl season and zone structure for the 2021-2025 waterfowl hunting seasons.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will close its Indian Fort Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River at Reed Point for four weeks starting Sept. 30 to rebuild the access road.

Summer’s winding down, but it’s still hot. The Utah Division of Water Resources is holding its fourth annual “H2Oath: Utah’s Water-Wise Pledge” competition among Utah’s colleges and universities.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a special proclamation today in the Governor’s Conference Room at the state capitol recognizing Sept. 22-28, 2019, as Arkansas Hunting and Fishing Week.
Colonel Joel Wilkinson of the Maine Warden Service, who was appointed colonel in 2008, is retiring on September 20. Commissioner Judy Camuso has placed Lieutenant Dan Scott in the position of acting colonel.
- TELEVISION -
Terry finishes his annual trip to hunt with Steve McCain at Wide Open Outfitters. Hunting the lagunas and freshwater ponds never seems to get old when Redheads and Pintails are constantly burning up the Mojos.
From dynamic waterfowl hunting action on Heartland Waterfowl, to chasing big bucks on Red Rising, to finding your true passion for hunting with two-time NFL Pro-Bowler Trent Cole in Blitz TV, Sportsman Channel has this season’s strongest hunting lineup.
Join musician, hunter, conservationist and dad, Nick Hoffman, as he embarks on his new season of Nick’s Wild Ride, airing on Outdoor Channel, Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. 

 

- VIDEO -
Angler and biologist Jeremy Wade admits his scariest fishing moments are not catching large, predatory fish but what the future holds for those fish as they vanish from troubled freshwater systems.
- VOLUNTEERS -
Volunteers are needed October 6 to help clean Monroe Lake’s shorelines, and they will be treated to a cookout for their efforts.
Volunteers are needed for a property cleanup at Blue Grass Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) for National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28.
 

EDITOR’s NOTE: The following was sent by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.


Data show that since 1970, the U.S. and Canada have lost nearly 3 billion birds, a massive reduction in abundance involving hundreds of species, from beloved backyard songbirds to long-distance migrants.

September 20, 2019—A study published yesterday in the journal Science reveals that since 1970, bird populations in the United States and Canada have declined by 29 percent, or almost 3 billion birds, signaling a widespread ecological crisis. The results show tremendous losses across diverse groups of birds and habitats—from iconic songsters such as meadowlarks to long-distance migrants such as swallows and backyard birds including sparrows.

"Multiple, independent lines of evidence show a massive reduction in the abundance of birds," said Ken Rosenberg, the study’s lead author and a senior scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy. "We expected to see continuing declines of threatened species. But for the first time, the results also showed pervasive losses among common birds across all habitats, including backyard birds."

The study notes that birds are indicators of environmental health, signaling that natural systems across the U.S. and Canada are now being so severely impacted by human activities that they no longer support the same robust wildlife populations.

The findings show that of nearly 3 billion birds lost, 90 percent belong to 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, finches, and swallows—common, widespread species that play influential roles in food webs and ecosystem functioning, from seed dispersal to pest control.

Among the steep declines noted:

  • Grassland birds are especially hard hit, with a 53-percent reduction in population—more than 720 million birds—since 1970.
  • Shorebirds, most of which frequent sensitive coastal habitats, were already at dangerously low numbers and have lost more than one-third of their population.
  • The volume of spring migration, measured by radar in the night skies, has dropped by 14 percent in just the past decade.

"These data are consistent with what we’re seeing elsewhere with other taxa showing massive declines, including insects and amphibians," said coauthor Peter Marra, senior scientist emeritus and former head of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and now director of the Georgetown Environment Initiative at Georgetown University. "It’s imperative to address immediate and ongoing threats, both because the domino effects can lead to the decay of ecosystems that humans depend on for our own health and livelihoods—and because people all over the world cherish birds in their own right. Can you imagine a world without birdsong?"

Evidence for the declines emerged from detection of migratory birds in the air from 143 NEXRAD weather radar stations across the continent in a period spanning over 10 years, as well as from nearly 50 years of data collected through multiple monitoring efforts on the ground.

"Citizen-science participants contributed critical scientific data to show the international scale of losses of birds," said coauthor John Sauer of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). "Our results also provide insights into actions we can take to reverse the declines." The analysis included citizen-science data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey coordinated by the USGS and the Canadian Wildlife Service—the main sources of long-term, large-scale population data for North American birds—the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and Manomet’s International Shorebird Survey.

Although the study did not analyze the causes of declines, it noted that the steep drop in North American birds parallels the losses of birds elsewhere in the world, suggesting multiple interacting causes that reduce breeding success and increase mortality. It noted that the largest factor driving these declines is likely the widespread loss and degradation of habitat, especially due to agricultural intensification and urbanization.

Other studies have documented mortality from predation by free-roaming domestic cats; collisions with glass, buildings, and other structures; and pervasive use of pesticides associated with widespread declines in insects, an essential food source for birds. Climate change is expected to compound these challenges by altering habitats and threatening plant communities that birds need to survive. More research is needed to pinpoint primary causes for declines in individual species.

"The story is not over," said coauthor Michael Parr, president of American Bird Conservancy. "There are so many ways to help save birds. Some require policy decisions such as strengthening the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We can also work to ban harmful pesticides and properly fund effective bird conservation programs. Each of us can make a difference with everyday actions that together can save the lives of millions of birds—actions like making windows safer for birds, keeping cats indoors, and protecting habitat."

The study also documents a few promising rebounds resulting from galvanized human efforts. Waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) have made a remarkable recovery over the past 50 years, made possible by investments in conservation by hunters and billions of dollars of government funding for wetland protection and restoration. Raptors such as the Bald Eagle have also made spectacular comebacks since the 1970s, after the harmful pesticide DDT was banned and recovery efforts through endangered species legislation in the U.S. and Canada provided critical protection.

"It’s a wake-up call that we’ve lost more than a quarter of our birds in the U.S. and Canada," said coauthor Adam Smith from Environment and Climate Change Canada. "But the crisis reaches far beyond our individual borders. Many of the birds that breed in Canadian backyards migrate through or spend the winter in the U.S. and places farther south—from Mexico and the Caribbean to Central and South America. What our birds need now is an historic, hemispheric effort that unites people and organizations with one common goal: bringing our birds back."

###

Citation: Rosenberg, K. V., A. M. Dokter, P. J. Blancher, J. R. Sauer, A. C. Smith, P. A. Smith, J. C. Stanton, A. Panjabi, L. Helft, M. Parr, and P. P. Marra. 2019. Science.

Organizations Behind the Study:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the greatest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on rapid advancements in science to halt extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (Bird Conservancy) is a Colorado-based nonprofit that works to conserve birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education, and land stewardship. Our work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico, and beyond. Together, we are improving native bird populations, the land, and the lives of people. Bird Conservancy’s vision is a future where birds are forever abundant, contributing to healthy landscapes and inspiring human curiosity and love of nature.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit member-supported organization dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is Canada’s lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues. It informs Canadians about protecting and conserving our natural heritage, and ensuring a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for present and future generations.
Advancing Georgetown's commitment to the environment, sustainability, and equitability, the Georgetown Environment Initiative brings together students, faculty, and staff from across disciplines — from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, public policy, law, medicine, and business — to contribute to global efforts to deepen understanding of our world and to transform the earth's stewardship.  

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) is dedicated to understanding, conserving, and championing the grand phenomenon of bird migration. Founded in 1991, and part of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, SMBC scientists work to conserve migratory species through research and public education that foster a better understanding of migratory birds and the need to protect diverse habitats across the Western Hemisphere.

 

Cornell Lab mailing address is:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd
Ithaca, NY  14850

OUTDOOR WIRE
Event Calendar

SEPTEMBER 19-20
NSSF CMO Summit

St. Simons Island, GA

https://www.nssf.org/cmosummit

SEPTEMBER 20-22
34th Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference

Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021

OCTOBER 9-13
Ducks Unlimited Inaugural Eastern Continental Shoot

Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy, Branson, Missouri Info: https://www.ducks.org/easternshoot

 
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