The Colorado Division of Wildlife and Zink Calls Pro Staff will hold a seminar on duck and goose calling in Johnstown, Saturday, August 7th, from 9 AM to Noon. Zink Calls Pro Staff members will cover the basics of duck and goose calling and also go over how to set up decoys.  Open to kids ages 12-18, limit 30 participants.

WHAT:                Duck and Goose Calling Seminar

WHEN:                Saturday, August 7, 2010, 9 AM to Noon

WHERE:             Johnstown Police Department, 430 South Parish Avenue

HOW:                   Register by calling 970-692-1732.  Bring your calls!

For more information on wildlife-recreation activities, go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/GetOutdoors/

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Western Colorado’s Grand Mesa is home to one of Colorado’s newest moose populations and locals are taking the time to celebrate and learn more about moose on Saturday, July 31. Grand Mesa Moose Day events will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the US Forest Service Visitor Center atop Grand Mesa on Highway 65.
 
Activities will include moose viewing information, presentations about moose biology and moose history, presentations on how biologists transplant and track moose, and a puppet show. Family and kid-friendly events and giveaways are planned throughout the day. All activities are free.
 
"Moose sightings are always fun for people and they’re becoming more common on the Grand Mesa as the population grows," said Trina Romero, Colorado Division of Wildlife Watchable Wildlife Coordinator. "This event will teach people safe ways to see the moose and some great facts about moose in Colorado."
 
Grand Mesa Moose Day sponsors include the Colorado Division of Wildlife, US Forest Service, The Moose 100.7 and the Grand Mesa Scenic & Historic Byway.
 
The Grand Mesa is the world’s largest flattop mountain and is located east of Grand Junction. Visitors can access the Grand Mesa from Highway 65, which links Interstate 70 in De Beque Canyon with Highway 50 near Delta. The visitor center is located on top of Grand Mesa.
 
Moose have historically been found on the Grand Mesa in small numbers but a re-introduction effort started in 2005 by the Colorado Division of Wildlife has transplanted dozens of moose to the area. Today, biologists with the agency estimate that the now self-sustaining population numbers approximately 150 moose. The moose population is expected to grow to around 450 animals. The moose transplant and educational efforts about the moose have been funded by Colorado sportsmen through hunting license fees and by the Colorado Chapter of Safari Club International through member funding and through the organization’s annual raffle of a moose hunting license. 
 
###

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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STEP OUTSIDE TV accompanied Rich and Loren on Loren’s first elk hunt.  That episode is airing this week on the Outdoor Channel.  The episode airs 07-07 at 8:00AM | 07-09 at 11:00AM | 07-10 at 5:30PM (all times are EDT).

I’ve had the pleasure of hunting with Rich and Loren over the last several years.  Loren really enjoys getting outdoors.  The time he’s spent with Rich has given him the opportunity to explore the outdoors…an opportunity he wouldn’t have had without a mentor like Rich stepping up to make it happen.  On a youth turkey hunt about 3 years ago, Rich and Loren spent the day in freezing cold weather (it was only 18 degrees that morning, with a 20 mph wind out of the north, blowing right in their blind).  Loren got his jake just before sundown.  Rich was really happy that they wouldn’t have to be going out the next morning and was looking forward to sleeping in.  Loren, however, decided he hadn’t had enough and went out with another match…and spent another day in the freezing cold just for the thrill of being outdoors and watching another youngster get his opportunity for that first bird.  We’ve got a link to that hunt on the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors website.

We also had Ben Romans, a free-lance writer accompany Rich and Loren on their hunt.  You can check out his photo essay on the hunt on the Field & Stream website.  Ben will also have an article coming out later this year on the hunt in Cabela’s Outfitters Journal.

There are boys and girls all across the country waiting for a mentor like Rich to step up and give them the opportunity to experience the great outdoors we all know and love.  Why don’t you give us a call today…you could be making it happen for a youngster this fall!

Thanks for all you do to help us get more kids outdoors!

Mike Christensen

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.

310 E 2^nd

Wichita, KS  67202

316-290-8883

mchristensen@outdoormentors.org

http://www.outdoormentors.org

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NEWS RELEASE

Contact:           Michael  Christensen

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.

310 E 2nd

Wichita, KS  67202

316-290-8883

mchristensen@outdoormentors.org

http://www.outdoormentors.org

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. announces

3rd Sculpture in Outdoor Mentor Series

WICHITA, KS (July 5, 2010). Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors has announced the third sculpture in the Outdoor Mentor Series, a series of sculptures by noted wildlife artist John Parsons which feature a mentor and child enjoying various outdoor activities. The first sculpture in the series, “Who’s Huntin’ Who” was featured at Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Whitetails Unlimited banquets across the country this last year. “Girls’ Day Out” was only available through Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever banquets in the fall of ’09 and the spring of ’10. "Pheasant Dreams" will also only be available through Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever banquets in the fall of ’10 and the spring of ’11. The Outdoor Mentors Series is being underwritten by Federal Ammunition for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

"John has been a fantastic supporter of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors since we first began the program," stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. "Thanks to his generosity, we have been able to raise significant funds that let us give more kids the opportunity to get outdoors."

“Pheasant Dreams” brings to life the excitement that a mentor and child share in the field. “The expression on the young man’s face really says it all,” related Christensen. “This sculpture captures the essence of a day spent pheasant hunting…birds flushing, excited dogs, and smiles all around.”

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors is proud to have this sculpture featured at PF & QF banquets across the country. "Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have been great partners for Pass It On. Many PF & QF chapters across the country support our efforts to get outdoors, not only financially but also with their volunteer time hosting mentor hunts and giving kids the chance to get outdoors," said Christensen. "We are also proud to have Federal Ammunition sponsor the sculpture series. This commitment shows Federal is doing more than just talking the talk…they are putting their funds where it can do the most good, giving children the opportunity to learn to hunt pheasants and quail!"

Parsons’ work is now featured in the John Parsons Signature Series in the Cabelas catalogs and stores. He was selected as Artist of the Year for the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep after only one year of sculpting. John was asked to produce artwork for the WaterWalk in Wichita, which now features his River Run, a sculpture of four white-tailed deer and Fighting Bucks, a deer trio locked in combat.

In November of 2008, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors was endorsed by the National Forum on Children and Nature as one of 30 projects nationwide that creatively reconnect kids with nature, benefiting their overall health and appreciation for the great outdoors. Recognizing an urgent need to reconnect kids with nature, the Forum sought proposals from projects seeking endorsement—receiving 560 proposals. In a year-long process, advisory panels culled the best ideas for investment in children’s health through nature, tapping the tools of education, technology and a community’s built environment. As a demonstration project, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. serves as an innovative model for community leaders, planners, educators and others who understand the importance of reconnecting children and nature and want to take concrete steps locally.

“With the current economic situation, putting together the resources we need to expand the program is a challenge. With Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Federal Ammunition all stepping up to support the Outdoor Mentors Series for the coming year we’ll be able to continue to give kids a chance to experience the great outdoors we all know and love,” commented Christensen.

To find out how you can help, please visit the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors website (http://www.outdoormentors.org ) for more information.

To see more of John’s sculptures, visit John’s website at http://parsonswildlife.com. 

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent. For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org  and www.QuailForever.org. 

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DURANGO, Colo. – This is the time of year when many Colorado wildlife species are born. It’s also the time when people often see young wildlife all alone on trails, in the woods or next to roads. As tempting as it might be to "help" a young animal by picking it up or offering it food, the Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds people not to approach, touch or handle young animals.
     
"For some people it’s hard not to act on their human instincts to do something for an animal," said Mike Reid, district wildlife manager for the DOW in Pagosa Springs. "But the animal hasn’t been abandoned, the mother is just off feeding and sometimes leaves her young alone for several hours. An animal’s natural parents are its best parents."
     
Every year people pick up young animals such as deer fawns, elk calves, small mammals or birds, and then call the DOW asking what needs to be done to "save" the animal. Unfortunately, if a young animal is handled it will likely die without the nourishment its mother provides.
     
"If someone picks up an animal, they are essentially kidnapping it from their parents," Reid said.
     
Young animals are often left alone while their mother feeds to help them avoid predators and to help them learn to survive in the wild. Deer provide a good example of how wildlife adapts behaviors to help them survive. Young fawns have no scent and are born with speckled coats that provide a natural camouflage. These two factors help them avoid being found by predators. When the mother doe senses a predator might be near she moves away from her young. Many other animals use similar survival techniques.
     
The only time Reid suggests moving an animal is if it’s in the middle of a road. But only approach the animal to get it to move, don’t touch it. The mother will find it later.
     
Young birds often fall out of their nests or are pushed out by parents encouraging them to fly. Young birds should not be touched. An exception can be made if a bird can be placed quickly back into its nest – but only if the nest is easily accessible.
     
"If a young bird is on the ground it will quickly learn to fly," Reid said. "It’s best to let nature take its course."
     
People also need to keep their pets under control. Dogs – acting on their natural predator instincts – can find animals and attack them. The stress of being attacked is usually fatal for young animals unable to defend themselves.
     
Cats also are adept at finding eggs and young birds. Cats are pets – but they’re also predators. Many studies show that cats are damaging the songbird population. The DOW asks that people not allow their cats to roam free. 
     
People also need to understand that not all newborn animals will survive. Mortality in wildlife is high and that is part of the natural cycle.
     
If you see a young animal, admire it from a distance and then move on quietly. Talk to youngsters and others about this topic who might not be familiar with wildlife.
     
If you are concerned about an animal don’t touch it, but make a report to your local DOW office.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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