Groups seek to protect endangered bird's Prairie dance floor

(CBC) - Six conservation groups launched a lawsuit against the federal environment minister on Valentine's Day to protect the Prairie habitat needed by the endangered sage grouse to strut its spectacular mating dance.
The bird, native to southeast Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan, gather in breeding grounds called leks every spring. The males fan out their tail feathers and puff air in and out of air sacs on their necks, pushing out their chests. They perform for several hours a day to attract females, while all birds hoot and cackle.
The display delights nature watchers from around the world. But the leks are being squeezed out by human activity, including oil and gas drilling, highway expansion and cattle grazing, say the groups.
The application launched Thursday asks a judge to reject Environment Canada's recovery strategy for the bird. The group argues the federal plan doesn't protect the breeding grounds critical for its survival, as required by Canada's Species at Risk Act. The birds have been on the endangered species list since 1998.
Research suggests human activity inhibits the sage grouse's courtship dance.

Dates, love, romance. Find it all at Date.ca.
"We know that sage grouse in other areas, perhaps two kilometres or more, they're disturbed by human activities. In other words, if you've got a certain density out on the landscape they are affected by it," said Cliff Wallis, vice-president of the Alberta Wilderness Foundation, which is part of the legal action.
"The Alberta guidelines that are in place only use setbacks of 500 metres, so we have a wide disparity between what the birds need and what the provincial guidelines are."
The population of the birds in Canada has gone from 6,000 to about 600 in the last few decades, and the number of active dancing sites has gone from 82 to 17, according to Wallis.

Miriam Wood, spokeswoman for Environment Canada, said in an e-mail to the Canadian Press that some critical habitat for the grouse is protected through Parks Canada and further habitat will be identified by next December.
"The issue is currently before the courts and it wouldn't be proper to comment further," she wrote.

Upcoming Events

The executive of the Brooks and District Fish and Game Association have a number of very interesting events planned for this year. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to come out to the many fun and informative activities scheduled.

FIREARM CLEANING CLINIC
Learn the proper cleaning techniques for various firearm actions.
- Tuesday February 19, 7:30 PM, Brooks Clays and Feathers clubhouse

GPS COURSE
Learn the many applications of a GPS unit. This evening will be valuable to beginners and people who have been using a GPS for some time.
-March TBA

HUNTER EDUCATION
Classes will be running for 4 weeks Mondays and Wednesdays starting March 3
and ending March 26. If interested please contact:
Rick or Donna 378-2352 Bill 378-3601

ANTLER/HORN MEASURING EVENING
This will be a fun evening for anyone with antlers or horns they would like measured. Bring them out; big or small.
-Tuesday April 15, 7:30 PM Pete and Patty Green’s shop

RIFLE/ARCHERY RANGE WORK BEE
-Tuesday May 20, 7:00 PM Fish and Game rifle/archery range

SPORTING CLAY/TRAP SHOOT
Opportunity for everyone to come out and try sporting clays or trap shooting.
-June TBA, Brooks Clays and Feathers Club

FALL MEMBER & CELEBRITY TUNE-UP SHOOT
Come out and tune up your shooting skills and enjoy the shooting demonstration
put on by local celebrities.
-Sunday September 7, Brooks Fish and Game rifle range.

Memberships available at: Wildlife Taxidermy, Sportside Source for Sports, Home Building Centre and Alberta Prairie Meats.

2008 GUN SHOW SCHEDULE

Lloydminster F&G Gun Show January 19 & 20 Lloydminster Convention Centre

Lethbridge Gun Show February 9 & 10 Exhibition Grounds

Vegreville Gun Show February 23 & 24 Vegreville Social Centre

Calgary Easter Gun Show March 21 & 22 Roundup Centre

Consort Gun Show April 19 & 20 Consort Sportex

Red Deer Gun Show May 3 & 4 Westerner Park

Sundre Gun Show June 14 & 15 Didsbury Hockey Arena

Hanna Gun Show July 19 & 20 Hanna Curling Rink

Calgary Thorncliffe Show September ?? Thorncliffe Centre
5600 Centre Street North

Alberta Metis hunting licence expanded

Published: Sunday, December 16, 2007
EDMONTON -- Alberta cabinet minister Ted Morton hopes changes to subsistence hunting rules will be viewed as "a gesture of goodwill" by Metis hunters who have been protesting against his government.
Morton, the minister of sustainable resource development, announced changes Friday to the subsistence hunting licence, a special licence for Albertans who rely on moose, elk or deer meat to feed themselves and their families.
Metis hunters recently have been staging traditional hunts around the province in protest against a government decision to replace a controversial interim Metis hunting agreement with rules that limit Metis hunting to areas around specific Metis settlements.
Metis hunters argue they have a constitutional right to hunt anywhere in Alberta.
"For those people, I am quite certain this won't address their concern with rights, although I would hope that it would be taken as a gesture of goodwill and perhaps facilitate getting back to the negotiating table," Morton said of the changes to the subsistence hunting licence.
Officials with the Metis Nation of Alberta could not be reached for comment.
The subsistence hunting licence previously was available only to people living north of the Trans-Canada Highway, which bisects the province through Edmonton, and outside of towns and cities. It could only be used in winter. Now the licence may be used anywhere in the province at any time of year. Licence holders will have the right to kill one moose, one elk or two deer, depending on which species are in abundance in their area.
Edmonton Journal

Alberta government tries to diffuse hunting rights dispute with Metis

THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON - Premier Ed Stelmach's government is trying to diffuse a dispute with Alberta's Metis by making it easier for people to hunt wild game. Against the will of Metis the province brought in a new policy in July that restricted where Metis can hunt and fish without a licence to eight settlements and 17 communities in northern Alberta. Metis hunting and fishing rights were not recognized south of Highway 16. Now the government has announced a policy that says people who rely on wild meat can apply for a free licence to shoot moose, elk and deer anywhere in the province.

The Metis Nation of Alberta is planning to challenge the hunting restrictions that were imposed in July in court.

Metis nation and government officials were not immediately available for comment.

Potential for EHD Outbreak in Deer this Season

"Conditions are ideal for the outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in deer in the southern part of the province this year," warns LFGA member, Jennifer de Jager, who has an interest in wildlife diseases. "I've talked with other hunters past years and heard of suspected Bluetongue (the viral equivalent in cattle) deaths of whitetails around the Milk River region," says de Jager. However, neither Sustainable Resources Development nor Alberta Fish and Wildlife have had any reported cases in this region.
Multiple U.S. states are experiencing outbreaks of EHD in the last couple of weeks. Heat and drought conditions have been ideal for the biting flies that cause EHD this year. There is potential for an EHD outbreak to influence cattle and sheep populations. Livestock owners who suspect Hemorrhagic or Bluetongue disease are urged to seek veterinary assistance or report dying/dead deer to Fish & Wildlife.
Deer with the insect-borne disease come down with high fevers and seek out water immediately. They often have pronounced swelling of the head, tongue, neck and eyelids and may have trouble breathing. Signs of the disease develop within 7 days of infection. Deer with the more virulent strain experience internal bleeding and often bleed from their mouths and anuses. Death often occurs one to 3 days after symptoms emerge. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease tends to affect whitetail populations more than mule deer.
Approximately two-thirds of infected deer will survive, and once they've had the disease they develop a natural immunity that prevents recurrence. Recovering deer may have split and layered-looking hooves. These deer are safe for human consumption, but it is advised to field dress animals quickly to prevent bacterial build up.
<http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/> Government of Alberta
Kim Morton, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Alberta Fish & Wildlife, encourages all sportsmen to report any observations of wildlife exhibiting abnormal signs (i.e. growths, lumps) or peculiar behaviour (i.e. walking in circles) to the local Fish & Wildlife office at 381-5266.

Hide Collection Depots

It is that time of year again when everyone should be looking for a place to take their wild game hides. We have three collection depots set up and the depots have asked that no heads - only hides be dropped off. You can drop off your hides at:

Wildlife Taxidermy, 507 - 3 St E (in the alley), Brooks;
Alberta Prairie Meats, Duchess; and
Spragg's Meat Shop in Rosemary.

Remember to ask for the hide donation card and fill it out, we will turn them into Alberta Fish and Game and you will be entered in the hide collection special draw.

Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance and Deer Hunting Opportunities for 2007

Copies of this and further information outlining the efforts of Sustainable Resource Development's Fish and Wildlife Division to control CWD are also available on the website www.srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/livingwith/diseases/.
Extensive information about how hunters can help control CWD is covered in the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations 2007, pages 27, 65-66 and inside front cover as well.
Hunters are reminded to submit deer heads from Wildlife Management Units along the Alberta/Saskatchewan border from Cold Lake to Medicine Hat. Units immediately adjacent the border require mandatory submission of heads, while WMUs immediately west of those on the border are voluntary submission areas.
Freezers (available 24-hours) for dropping off heads are present throughout these WMUs, plus in Edmonton and Calgary. Maps of freezer locations are
posted widely and also are included on our disease web pages.
Hunting opportunities are increased through quota licences in WMUs 234 (at Chauvin/Edgerton), and portions of 150 and 151 (next to Empress). These quota licences are available through the under-subscribed licence system or as landowner licences for local residents.
Hunters will be notified of CWD test results within 6 weeks of submission of deer heads.