The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is pleased to announce details of its Second Annual Youth Poster and Essay Contests

On March 10, by a margin of 62 to 35, the U.S. Senate passed an omnibus appropriations bill, providing fiscal year 2009 (FY09) funding for the majority of federal government agencies.  The House passed the bill on February 25 and President Obama signed it into law on March 11. 

The light goose conservation hunting season currently is underway in a number of states. From the 1970s through the 1990s, the populations of light geese, comprised of greater and lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese irrupted.  They increased to such an extent that their fragile breeding and nesting habitat in the Arctic sustained serious damage as a result of the birds’ overgrazing and excessive grubbing for food. 

An omnibus public land bill (S. 22) that cleared the U.S. Senate on January 14 failed to pass the House of Representatives on March 11, calling the measure’s future into question, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Ask your congressman and two U.S. senators to urge the Obama Administration to stop the National Park Service from its plan to stop the use lead ammunition and fishing tackle on its lands.

The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission will consider a slate of wetlands conservation proposals later today (Wednesday, March 11). The panel, which authorizes wetlands restoration and conservation projects for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will consider 32 funding proposals for grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), as well welcome its newest member, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA), who was appointed to the Commission on Friday.

J. Wayne Fears' column "The Food Plot Doctor" now a regular feature in Whitetails Unlimited Magazine.

ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman, along with representatives from other fisheries and wildlife conservation groups, attended a Senate majority leadership meeting in February to provide comments to Senate leadership and staff about key areas of concern. ASA provided comments on angler access, marine protected areas, fish habitat legislation and the Sport Fish and Boating Trust Fund reauthorization.

BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and Bass Pro Shops, the #1 Outdoor Retailer in America*, have formed a joint marketing alliance, BASS announced today. The relationship will allow each industry-leading company to integrate both brands across their respective platforms to further reach and educate outdoors enthusiasts on initiatives facing natural resources and to grow participation.

Check out the most recent issue of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's fisheries magazine, Eddies at www.fws.gov/eddies for the latest conservation and fisheries news.