Backwoods Bound Bullet

ARTICLE: MORE THAN 4,000 PADDLEFISH CLEANED FOR ANGLERS

  Oklahomans enjoy the finest paddlefish angling in the nation, and in doing so they not only are catching thousands of fish each year, but they are also contributing to science and funding their own sport through the paddlefish research and processing center.

  At its January meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission heard a presentation from Keith Green, paddlefish program coordinator for the Wildlife Department, and Brent Gordon, northeast region fisheries supervisor for the Department, recounting the success of the first year of the Department's paddlefish research and processing center.

  In February 2008, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation opened the center at Twin Bridges State Park near Miami in far northeast Oklahoma. The center collected important biological data, processed paddlefish fillets for anglers and salvaged paddlefish eggs.

  Over 4,000 fish were brought to the paddlefish research and processing center by anglers, where their fish were professionally cleaned and packaged. Workers at the center salvaged eggs from female fish to sell as caviar. More than 8,000 lbs. of eggs were salvaged, and income derived from the program is being used to fund continued paddlefish research and improve angler access. Oklahoma paddlefish caviar was dispersed throughout Europe and Asia, and after the critical biological data was recorded from each fish, more than 45 tons of paddlefish carcasses were recycled into a natural source of heating oil.

  Most importantly, the Wildlife Department was able to gather large quantities of useful data for managing paddlefish in Oklahoma. Certain types of biological data can only be collected once the fish is dead. Prior to the opening of the research and processing center, the Department had only collected information from 240 fish since the late 1970s. The research and processing center makes it possible to collect data from thousands of fish that are already being harvested by anglers. In just a few months, biologists found themselves years ahead of where they were in terms of researching and managing the species.

  "We get the information we need for management, anglers get the meat from their fish, fish carcasses are used as a natural source of heating fuel, and the salvaged eggs are sold to pay for continued management of the resource," Green said.

  During 2008, the Wildlife Department was able to gather age and growth data on paddlefish and get an accurate picture of the total harvest. Additionally, biologists recorded a day-by-day documentation of the annual paddlefish spawn for the first time. Information gathered during the spawning season can be compared with future spawning runs to better understand how these unique fish relate to their habitat, including water temperature and flow.

  The success of the paddlefish research and processing center has led the agency to design plans for building a permanent center in 2009 at Twin Bridges on the Neosho River, and the program will be expanded to include Fort Gibson Lake in 2010.

  The center is open during prime paddlefish snagging months (approximately Feb. 15 - May 15), and anglers can bring their catch to the center for cleaning and processing. Additionally, anglers such as those fishing at Miamis Riverview City Park also can call the paddlefish processing center to come pick up their paddlefish for processing. Anglers who take advantage of the service will take home meat from their own fish that have been safely cleaned and packaged. The paddlefish research center is seasonally staffed by employees trained in proper handling and processing of fish products.

  Paddlefish anglers are required to obtain a free paddlefish permit before fishing for paddlefish in Oklahoma. Each angler that obtains the permit will be assigned a number that must be attached to all paddlefish that are caught and kept. The permit system will provide clearer information about paddlefish anglers and help better manage paddlefish populations. The permit is annual, and the permit number can be used on every paddlefish tagged during that period. Permits can be obtained online at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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ARTICLE: AMMO BAN AND REGISTRATION PROPOSAL GETTING FRESH LOOK

- Friday, December 12, 2008

- Happy Holidays: Now dispose of all of your ammunition! Every last round! From now on, you will be able to buy only overpriced ammunition that will be registered to you in a government database.

- Not yet--at least for now. A small company, Ammunition Accountability--which wants to help anti-gunners price and regulate the Second Amendment out of existence, profit at the expense of our rights, or both--has found radical anti-gun legislators in 18 states willing to introduce bills pushing such nonsense.

- But few anti-gun proposals are so overtly aimed at destroying the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As we began noting on www.nraila.org in January, so-called - encoded ammunition' or - serialized ammunition' bills would require ammunition manufacturers to engrave a serial number on the base of the bullet and the inside of the cartridge casing of each round of ammunition for popular sporting caliber center-fire rifles, all center-fire pistols, all .22 rimfire rifles and pistols, and all 12 gauge shotguns. In all but one of the bills, people would be required to forfeit all personally owned non-encoded' ammunition. After a certain date, it would be illegal to possess non-encoded' ammunition. Reloading would be rendered illegal.

- People would be required to separately register every box of - encoded ammunition' and the registration would be supplied to the police. Each box of ammunition would have a unique serial number, thus a separate registration. Gun owners would have to maintain records if they sell ammunition to anyone, including family members or friends. The cost of ammunition would soar, for police and private citizens alike. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute estimates it would take three weeks to produce ammunition currently produced in a single day. A tax of five cents a round would be imposed on private citizens, not only upon initial sale, but every time the ammunition changes hands thereafter.

- And to what benefit in terms of fighting crime? Criminals already steal guns and would certainly steal ammunition. Burglaries would be encouraged. Criminals could also use shotguns, which fire pellets too small to encode, and which use shell casings made of plastic, which would be difficult to engrave. Criminals could also collect ammunition cases from shooting ranges, and reload them with molten lead bullets made without serial numbers.

- Congress eliminated a handgun ammunition sale recordation requirement in 1983, because there was no law enforcement benefit. Be on the lookout in your states in the next legislative session for anti-gun zealots who refuse to learn from history, plus continue their crusade against our Second Amendment rights.

- For more information on this issue, please visit: www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=227&issue;=005 , and www.nraila.org/Issues/Articles/Read.aspx?id=289.

- For more information about the National Rifle Association go to www.nra.org.

- Editor's Note: We encourage everyone to watch the interview at www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=227&issue;=005 that Cam Edwards, host of NRA News (www.nranews.com) conducted with Russ Ford who is heading this whole ammunition coding stuff. The video is long but worth watching as in my opinion Mr. Ford ducks and weaves around the issue. Watch it and reach your own conclusion and then tell us what you think.

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ARTICLE: MY FIRST BUCK by Gustavo Gonzales

- The old saying goes "some people have it good" and then there are the lucky few that, "have it great!" I like to believe that the small ranch I hunt in Mathis, Texas is incredible because of the fact that 13 bucks have been harvested in the past two hunting seasons with several 150 class bucks.

- I found it hard to turn down an offer to spend some time sitting in the deer blind built by my Godfather "Jacinto" in hope of shooting the "big one" an 11 point monster that roams our sandy pastures. As if Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years don't already put a dent on my outdoor time, I have to balance spending quality time with my large family with hunting and fishing mixed together. I and my 9 year old son Jared were fortunate enough to have some great fishing success the day after Thanksgiving catching many black drum.

- Then came the countless hours of sitting in the deer blind only to encounter does with yearling bucks. Although, my brother in law was fortunate enough to shoot a freak spike buck nicknamed "el chivo" or goat buck for its long times that curled back. Then a big score by the ranch owner and Edroy Postmaster Juan Marin, two bucks a good 8 point and better wide 9 point buck. I knew that my time would come with the rut and would get a shot at a good deer.

- That day came on the third day of a 3 day hunt that brought mild temperatures and a raging herd of javelina. Mingo, my brother in law would score once again with a nice boar javelina that we donated to a local family who planned to make a traditional holiday treat, tamales.

- Finally, the day came, December the twenty seventh. It was a great morning for deer hunting, a little fog, but not too much, the temperature was nice around 70 degrees. I sat quietly in the blind for what seemed like an eternity before sunrise. The feeder went off at 6:45am and shortly after I get a call on my two way radio from Juan that a high rack buck was heading my way. My heart began to pound as I stuck my gun in preparation of his arrival at the feeder.

- It seemed like another eternity until he trotted out under the feeder and turned sideways for a good shot. A boom came out from my 243 Remington rifle and he dropped in his tracks. It was a clean kill at 60 yards.

- When all the smoke cleared I had downed my first buck, a nice 7 pointer with high times and character. Everyone was excited for me as I had waited 30 years to shoot my first buck and I enjoyed every moment of it. - Gustavo Gonzales

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In this issue:

BACKWOODS TRIVIA: - We came up with this month's questions. See if you know it.

"How many vertebrae does a giraffe have?"

Bonus Question: "How many do birds have? Humans?"

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter. Send your trivia questions to [email protected].

RECIPE: TERIYAKI GOOSE JERKY

* Combine the ingredients except the goose in a bowl. Mix well.

* Slice the breasts into strips - thick

* Place meat in a large zip lock bag.

* Pour in the marinade and seal.

* Place in the refrigerator overnight. Turn often.

* Remove the meat and drain.

* Place in dehydrator for 8 - 9 hours or until desired consistency.

* Store in zip lock bags or jars. Enjoy.

Our thanks to Nick Sennett for sharing this recipe with us. For more great tasting goose recipes to try this season, go to www.backwoodsbound.com/zgoos.html.

Send your favorite recipe to [email protected] and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

** KAREN'S KREATIONS **

To celebrate the love month, ALL orders are 33% off until February 28!

Plan for upcoming birthdays, sports events, anniversaries and graduations! Don't forget weddings, bridal showers, girl's night out and more! If you have an event - we can design the charms!

Any of our charms can be personalized and customized- and all charms can be mixed with other charms to create your own theme!

We can also make custom charms from your pictures- e-mail or mail a picture and we can turn it into a wine charm, water bottle charm or earrings.

Visit our web site for ideas as to how creative we can be! www.karensglabels.com or e-mail us at [email protected].

Hurry! Sale ends February 28, 2009!

FUN FACT: • Here are a few just in from Daisy. "No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times." "Colgate faced a big obstacle marketing toothpaste in Spanish speaking countries. Colgate translates into the command 'go hang yourself'."

Send your Fun Facts to [email protected]. For more Fun Facts visit www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html.

RECOMMEND AND VOTE FOR THE BULLET

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To vote for The Bullet follow this link: www.ezinefinder.com/backwo-vote.html.html.

Thanks for your help.

** BACKWOODS BOUND SHOULDER TROPHY PLAQUES **

We have a complete line of State Shaped Trophy Plaques for all of your trophies! We offer sizes for mounting your antlers or trophy fish to sizes for a full shoulder mount to plaques made for your memorable photos.

All of our handcrafted plaques are made from solid oak not plywood or particle board. They all come with hangers installed and the Picture Plaques come with glass and picture backing for your 4x6 photo.

Don't settle for an ordinary looking plaque hanging on your wall! Go one better and order your Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque today. Prices start at only $24.95. Don't wait, order today!

Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/antlrplaq01.html for photos and information on how to order your plaque.

And remember, "It only takes a little more to go first class."

HUNTIN' TIPS: - "When squirrel hunting most people thing walking and looking around is the way to go. But if you walk and listen you will be much more successful. You can also scan across the tops of trees and look for swinging or swaying limbs. It will probably be a squirrel." - • Nick

"To keep hunting calls clean, stick a cork from an old bottle in your call to keep dirt out and to keep your calls in working order." - JJ Lawhorn

Send your tips to: [email protected] and we'lll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet

INTERESTING QUOTE: "We can not expect the Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism." to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, 1959

If you'vee seen or heard an interesting or humorous quote send it in and we'll post it next month. Send them to: [email protected].

RECIPE: • MEXICAN DEER DIP

* Brown the meat in a skillet with the chopped onions. Drain if needed.

* In a large microwavable bowl, add the meat, beans, chili, chilies, cheese and hot sauce.

* Cover and heat until hot, about 15 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes to keep from sticking.

Thanks to Charlotte Jarrett for sending in this recipe. For more deer recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zdeer.html.

Remember to send your favorite recipe to [email protected]. We'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

FISHIN' TIP: - "For cat-fishing areas with heavy bottom cover, tie your hook up the line about 1 1/2 to 2 feet. Then tie your weight on the end of the line. Then after you cast, reel your line up tight. With your line tight the weight will stay on the bottom but it will raise your hook and bait up off the bottom out of the cover." - Tyler Brunson

Send your tips to: [email protected] and we'lll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet.

WHAT'S NEW

• We'vee been getting a lot of requests for our State Shaped Trophy Plaques lately in a size big enough for European skull mounts and will be adding it to our line of Trophy Plaques very soon. We'ree still working out the kinks as some of our regular Trophy Plaques are already big enough for European mounts such as Illinois and Indiana. So we'vee been working with customers on what sizes they want and feel will look the best for their mounts. Since these plaques have been larger than our regular plaques but smaller than our Shoulder Mount Plaques the price for them has been somewhere in between. Anyway, look for the new European Skull Mount Plaques soon!

We have a ton of new recipes from you guys and will get them posted them on the site soon. Look for new recipes for raccoon, squirrel, duck, deer, pheasant and even beaver. So check the site often. Find our Recipe Home Page at: www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html .

Just a quick reminder, we have the 2009 Moon Phases on the site to help you plan this year's fishing and hunting adventures. Find them at: www.backwoodsbound.com/moonphases.html.

Also check out Fishin' Guides and Charter Services page for ideas for your spring fishing adventures. Find the listings at www.backwoodsbound.com/guidesfish.html.

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** ART OF NATURE COLLECTIBLES **

Art of Nature Collectibles by Rustic Originals has fast become the source for custom rustic picture frames. Browse through our Spirit Series, One-of-a-Kind, Rustic Collection and Special Edition Collections of unique, hand-crafted, real wood rustic frames. Each one is a collectible!

Each frame comes complete with glass, hanging hardware and a Rustic Originals Wildlife photo for your enjoyment or add your own special photo to the frame for years of admiration. We have frames to fit most sizes of photos.

Hurry to our site at www.rustic-nature.com or www.rusticoriginals.net for the best selection!

RECIPE: PHEASANT FAJITAS

* Heat the oil in a skillet or wok. Add the garlic and the pheasant.

* Add the peppers and onion and cook until tender.

* Serve on warm tortillas. Garnish with salsa and sour cream if desired.

* For a taste twist, marinate the meat overnight in 1 cup hickory smoked bbq sauce, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Remove and drain before cooking in the olive oil and minced garlic.

Our many thanks go to Jana Hartford for sending this recipe to us. Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/pheas.html for more pheasant recipes.

Send your favorite recipe to [email protected] and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

LAST MINUTE STUFF: - SOMETIMES IT JUST GOES DOWN THAT WAY

I know one thing I want to forget about 2008. Out here in California, it took me and my buddy Bob 10 hours of driving to get to Lake Huntington (in the Lake Shasta area). With the wind chill factor, it felt like 100 degrees below zero.

We fished for a week during which time the boat motor broke. Then we lose an oar and had to paddle in with only one on the last day just before the boat loses all the air and we have to swim for it.

We caught two little trout all week.

I told Bob, that between gas at $4.50 a gallon, bait, beef jerky, new oar for the boat, broken motor repair, patching the boat, beer, etc. those fish probably cost us about 200 bucks each.

Bob, in his deadpan face says, "Yep. Good thing we didn't catch anymore."

I guess that's an old joke, but I still wanted to smack him. However, he was driving, and after the messed up week, the last thing I wanted to do was walk home. - Scottydawg