Deer hunter to help conservation in Iowa
A nonresident deer hunter will help both the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources protect and enhance wildlife. Under a cooperative agreement with the DNR the Nature Center is auctioning a coveted nonresident deer tag. Proceeds from the tag’s sale will be divided between the two organizations. “The DNR uses hunting license income to manage deer populations, aiming to a herd reduction to around the late 1990s level,” said Ross Harrison. “The Nature Center will use the proceeds to help provide outdoor experiences for children. Thanks to this hunter many children will enjoy exploring prairies, wetlands and woodlands under the guidance of a naturalist,” said Rich Patterson, director. Iowa has a robust population of large deer. Many of the largest bucks harvested in the United States come from the state. Nonresident deer tags sales are restricted, and many hunters are unable to buy one – except through auctions like the one sponsored by the Nature Center. The license allows a hunter to harvest a buck and a doe and can be for the 2009-10 season or the 2010-11 season. A tag auction will be held the first week of August. For information go to www.iowadeertagauction.com.
Paul Newsom loses battle with cancer
Paul William Newsom, 64, died July 1, 2009, of cancer at 4:30 a.m. at his home in Bixby, Okla., a time fitting for a true outdoorsman. He was president of Newsom Productions Inc., an advertising agency and television video production company established in 1985. For more than 15 years, he was host and executive producer of the award-winning “Paul Newsom’s Great Outdoors” TV series. His son, Bo, worked as co-producer, videographer and editor, and his daughter, Emma, appeared in “Emma’s E-mails,” a feature on the show. Newsom also produced and hosted additional outdoor television and radio programs, including “Hunting the Country,” “Outdoor Adventure Digest,” “The Camp Cook” and the NRA’s “American Rifleman.” Newsom was a spokesman for many businesses, and also appeared in numerous TV shows and feature films. He served as president of the United Sportsman’s Alliance of Oklahoma, president of the Oklahoma National Wild Turkey Federation and president of the Oklahoma City Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He was an OWAA member since 1989, a lifetime member of the NRA, and was a former hunting guide, retriever trainer and shooting instructor. Survivors include his wife Brenda; daughters Emma Newsom, Paula Hurt, Dee Bowser and Jennifer Scalzo; son Bo Newsom; and several grandchildren. Online tributes and condolences may be left for the family at www.leonardmarkerfunerals.com.
Web site explores science writing for the public
Mary Nickum of Fountain Hills, Ariz., has established a new Web site that is dedicated to writing science for the public – all ages and genres. Nickum is a writer and editor for several aquaculture magazines and is OWAA’s newest board member. Check out her new Web site at www.marynickum.com.
Animated Cochran cartoons air on TV
Award-winning outdoor cartoonist Bruce Cochran is making his mark on the television industry with “Weekend Warriors Cartoons,” humorous segments featured on the “Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies” television show (www.sostvonline.com). A 30- to 45-second animated cartoon airs at the end of each episode of Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies during the 2009 season (July through December). Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies airs several times a week on the Versus and Sportsman’s Channel networks. The animated shorts star three characters Cochran created and designed specifically for the “Weekend Warriors” series: Stanley, a middle-age outdoor addict; Oliver, his younger, “still learning” sidekick; and Squirt, an intelligent canine companion that is doomed to cope with the silly antics of his owners. Cochran creates the original jokes and storyboards for the series (www.cochranscartoons.com). Since the early 1960s, Cochran’s cartoons and illustrations have appeared in the pages of North America’s outdoor publications. His cartoons, illustrations and stories are published in many national magazines, and he has more than a dozen humorous cartoon books in print.
Sweepstakes to benefit Alliance’s youth program
Members can help support the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance’s outdoor youth program through the Trailblazer Adventure Sweepstakes. The grand prize is $10,000 cash or a Toyota Tundra 4×4 lease. Prizes also include shotguns, bows, muzzleloaders, rifles, bullets, outdoor gear, optics and more. Tickets are available through the group’s Web site, www.ussportsmen.org/Page.aspx?pid=941. A voluntary donation of $5 per ticket is requested. The drawing will take place on or around Dec. 28, 2009.
Member’s blog chronicles Iraq war experiences
Ben Christensen launched his Iraq war memoir as a serialized blog on July 4 at www.diggingfire.blogspot.com. The blog is titled “Digging for Fire” and is expected to run every day for about 100 days, detailing Christensen’s experiences in modern combat in al-Anbar Province, Iraq, in some of the worst days of the conflict in 2004-05. His duties in the infantry as a Marine reserve sergeant included explosive breaching during raids and sweeps, conducting patrols and collecting human intelligence. Christensen, a freelance writer, rancher and schoolteacher, lives with his wife and their five children in the southern tip of Texas, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the chaparral. His other blog, “The Comfortable Survivalist” (www.comfysurvivalist.blogspot.com), deals with homesteading, sustainable living and preparedness. His Web site is www.riograndeoutdoors.com.
HuntFishBuddy launches new application
HuntFishBuddy Inc., a Web-based company that specializes in offering like-minded hunters and anglers an opportunity to connect as well as providing instant access to a myriad of outdoor information, has recently launched an all-new StayInformed application. The new feature offers fast access to fish and wildlife agency Web sites, quick links to the most popular hunting and fishing information, and, now, a subscriber service to receive upcoming season dates, bag limits and regulations. Outdoor enthusiasts, whatever their pursuit, can now apply for instant notification when information is updated by fish and wildlife agencies. For example, an avid spring turkey hunter could subscribe to receive turkey-hunt information from one or several states. As soon as the new information is posted online by fish and wildlife agencies, subscribers will automatically receive a notification e-mail. This service as well as use of the Web site is free of charge. Check it out: www.huntfishbuddy.com.
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