This post has nothing to do with hunting or fishing, I just wanted to know who everyone was picking in the Super Bowl.  I’m partial to the Steelers since Lamar Woodley is from my home area, but I always like an underdog fight also.  I just hope the game is close and fun to watch.  So post in the comments about who you think will win and why.  Keep it clean!

     A man I had the pleasure of meeting last June was honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation recently.  Joe Robison, a DNR wildlife biologist,  received the 2009 Outstanding Conservationist of the Year Award from the Michigan State Chapter of the NWTF. 

     Last June he invited the public to Pointe Mouillee State Game Area to help in the banding of wild geese.  I took a friend and my two sons with me for a great fun filled and educational day of helping the DNR.  I posted two videos about the event which you can see part one  and part two below.

Below is the press release of Mr. Robison receiving the award:

Jan. 21, 2009

Joe Robison has received the 2009 Outstanding Conservationist of the Year Award from Michigan State Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

Robison, a wildlife biologist and 14-year employee with the Department of Natural Resources, works at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area DNR Field Office in southeast Michigan, where he is involved with management activities for a wide variety of wildlife species.

“Joe has developed exceptional relationships with constituent groups.  He actively works with stakeholders on wildlife habitat projects, wildlife surveys, and successfully communicates with people about wildlife regulations,” said Russ Mason, chief of the DNR’s Wildlife Division.

Robison was cited as a biologist who is very effective at his job and as a key employee who is heavily relied on for his knowledge and his insight.

“We believe that Joe Robison is committed to making a difference for wild turkeys, waterfowl and Michigan’s natural resources.  In the 1990s, Joe helped with the southern Michigan wild turkey restoration program by capturing wild turkeys and selecting release sites when he was a laborer at the Muskegon State Game Area.  In recent times, Joe has coordinated the successful wild turkey restoration activities in southeast Michigan,” said Steve Sharp, senior field representative for NWTF.  The international organization is involved in such recognitions of key wildlife professionals in natural resources agencies and is dedicated to the conservation of wild turkeys and the preservation of hunting heritage.

“This is an especially important honor to bestow upon a wildlife professional because recipients are chosen for this award by NWTF members based on recommendations from their wildlife employee peers,” Sharp said.

Robison was commended for his inclusive management style and his ability to work with people on a variety of activities.  He is chair of the statewide citizens waterfowl advisory committee and also serves on other wildlife-related committees and workgroups.  It was noted that he was an employee that always gives over 110 percent in the performance of his duties.

Mason said Robison exemplifies an employee that communicates well with constituents and strives to improve habitat for wildlife.  He is a biologist who understands the DNR mission and works to fulfill that mission, Mason said.

“We are proud to have one of our employees recognized for his contributions by a major conservation group such as the National Wild Turkey Federation,” Mason said.  “This award reflects positively on the employee and it confirms that key organizations appreciate quality employees like Joe Robison that work for the DNR.”

The award was presented to Robison at the Michigan State National Wild Turkey Federation Convention meeting recently in Big Rapids.  His wife, Gina Robison, is featured with him in the photo above.

     Thanks Joe for all you do for our great state of Michigan, the wildlife and the people who enjoy it!  Congratulations!

Winter is on it’s way to being over within the next month or two and with that being said, turkey season is just around the corner.

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 News and Press Releases

Winchester Ammunition
1/20/2009
As a result of increasing customer demand for lead-free products across the United States, Winchester® Ammunition will offer three lightning-fast, lead-free rimfire bullets, chambered for both .22 Win. Mag and .22 Long Rifle (LR) cartridges, beginning in 2009.

Read the rest of this entry »

There has been recently an upswing in feral hog sightings in Michigan and the DNR isn’t exactly happy about them being here. Read the rest of this entry »

     Bowtech/Diamond has a new entry in the youth bow market this year and was debuted at the 2009 ATA show in Indianapolis this month.  Read the rest of this entry »

     Below is the press release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission on the inclusion of crossbows for the archery deer and bear seasons. Read the rest of this entry »

     Today the Pennsylvania Game Commission passed a full inclusion regulation concerning crossbows being allowed in the archery season.  Crossbows will be allowed to be used during the Pennsylvania archery season for the next 5 years.  They included a sunset provision that allows the state’s fish and game agency to look at and evaluate what effect the crossbows have had on the deer herd.  They then will make a decision on whether it should continue or not.  The commission also stipulated that a magnifying scope will not be allowed to be used on the crossbows.  This info was passed long to me via an email, so as of yet I haven’t been able to nail down complete details and confirmation on the new law.  When that becomes available I will post that information as well.

     Here we go again, two more poachers caught and convicted, this time in New Hampshire.  According to the WCAX website, last October 21-year-old Joseph Townsend and 25-year-old Richard McNeil shot and killed a moose, after killing it they later returned to process it in the field. Read the rest of this entry »

     A couple of weekends ago while at the ATA show in Indianapolis, I ran into Gary Reed from Dead Down Wind at a press conference.  I thought that this was going to be a run of the mill talk on the same ‘ol product for 2009.  Boy was I wrong!  Not only does Dead Down Wind make products for the hunter who is worried about scent control, but they now make something that is for the fisherman in the outdoors.  Take a quick look at the new products that Dead Down Wind is offering the outdoorsmen for the upcoming hunting and fishing seasons by clicking the video link below.  To watch in high quality click on the appropriate control panel in the video player listed as “HQ”.