Family-Outdoors

Whether you want to learn to fish, compete for prizes at a tournament, or just have some fun, there is something for everyone at upcoming fishing clinics held across the state.  A list of fishing clinics is available on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website under the special events calendar at https://programs.iowadnr.gov/ specialevents/Search.aspx .  For more information about individual events, call the number listed with the clinic.  Activities vary at each clinic and may include fish identification, how to operate a reel, different ways to cast, knot tying, how to handle fish, bait presentations and different fish cleaning methods.  UPCOMING FISHING CLINICS June 7 Anita, Lake Anita Kids Fishing Day, Lake Anita, 10 a.m. to Noon Ankeny, Ankeny Optimist Club Fishing Derby, Hawkeye Park Pond, 10 a.m. to Noon Bloomfield, Youth Fishing Clinic, Davis County Pond 7 (S-NM1), 9:30 a.m. to Noon Center Junction, Central Park Annual Kids...

Wisconsin's great outdoors is always the ticket to fun with family and friends. On  June 7  and  8  it gets even better -- it's free for Wisconsin residents and visitors!  Free entry  to state parks and forests   Free fishing Free DNR trails Free ATV/UTV riding on public trails open to such uses Watch our video for more information about Free Fun Weekend Resources to help you plan your Free Fun Weekend Download a poster and help us spread the word

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) The Eastern Oklahoma County Struttin' Hens are hosting a Women In The Outdoors event  June 7  at the Arcadia Conservation Education Area in Edmond. Women In The Outdoors (WITO) is a women-only program hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Expert instructors will teach outdoor skills related to hunting, camping, cooking, fishing, and anything outdoors.  "This program helps women develop outdoor skills like fishing and hunting but it also offers activities like basket weaving, jewelry making, bird watching, and primitive cooking. I attended an event last year and had a blast," said Jennifer Benge, information and education technician for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. This program is a hands-on, educational, outdoor opportunity for girls and women ages 14 and older. Space is limited. The cost to attend the event is $65, which includes a one-year subscription to "Turkey Country" magazine and a one-y...

Fruits of the hunt! (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Hunters have until  May 15, 2014 , to apply for the Wildlife Department's controlled hunting opportunities for 2014-15. All applications must be submitted at wildlifedepartment.com . The Controlled Hunts Program offers a variety of highly desirable hunts through random drawings. Controlled hunting opportunities offered through this program include hunts on Department- or government-owned or managed lands where unrestricted hunting would pose safety concerns or where overharvest might occur. "Sportsmen have over 120 different quality hunts to choose from including elk, antelope, deer and turkey hunts," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration for the Wildlife Department. "Thirty-two of these hunts are designed specifically for youths ages 14 and 15." All applicants, including lifetime license holders, must pay a $5 application fee to enter the drawing for controlled hunts. T...

Michigan is starting to see the first signs of spring, and camping season is not far behind! The online reservation system for Michigan state parks and harbors is now accepting reservations through August 2014. Campsites and harbor slips both fill up quickly as the weather gets warmer, so state recreation officials recommend making spring and summer plans now to avoid the last-minute rush. Reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com  or by calling 1-800-44-PARKS  (1-800-447-2757 ). “We want our guests to have the best possible experience with Michigan’s award-winning state parks, starting from the moment they make their reservation until they leave our parks with cherished memories,” said Ron Olson, chief of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Recreation Division. The DNR upgraded to a new, improved campground reservation system on Nov. 1, 2013. The system features site-specific reservations all season long, broader search capabi...

Michigan’s fishing licenses were restructured on March 1 – there are now five options to choose from when making your purchase. All fishing licenses are good for all species.  •    Resident Annual - $26 •    Non-Resident Annual - $76  •    Senior Annual (for residents age 65 or older) - $11  •    24-Hour (resident or non-resident) - $10 •    72-Hour (resident or non-resident) - $30 Residents and non-residents can also purchase the Hunt/Fish combo license for $76 and $266 respectively that consists of a base license, annual fishing license, and two deer tags.  Please note, a base license is not required when just purchasing a fishing license. Michigan’s new fishing licenses will bring additional revenue into the state that will be invested into the state’s fisheries; including providing greater access to world-class fishing opportunities, improving fisheries habitat in inland lakes and streams,...

What started out as an experiment has turned into a tradition. The youth rabbit hunt at the Belding Sportsmen’s Club, near the Flat River State Game Area – now in its third year – attracted 45 youngsters last Saturday for a morning of stomping brush piles, following beagles and tromping through the snow. “We’re getting great participation from everyone,” said club president John Burns, “club members, parents and youngsters.” The idea for the youth hunt sprung from John Niewoonder, the Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist at Flat River, who had been on a campaign to improve the small game habitat by building brush piles for “rabbitat” at the area. “When John brought it to us, we said yes,” Burns said. “This is a good thing, getting the kids out in the elements instead of staying on the computer all day. It’s all about getting the kids – our future – into the outdoors.” Hosting the event “is not a problem,” Burns said. The club donated breakfast, and member...

Oregon Trail South of Three Island Crossing (Photo credit: gharness ) PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota State Parks Director Doug Hofer announced today that applications are being accepted for grants from the Recreation Trails Program (RTP). The grants will be available for trail projects sponsored by municipalities, counties, state parks, federal land management agencies or tribal governments. “When it comes to promoting healthy communities, recreational trails are key,” Hofer said. “As safe corridors for exercise and recreation, trails give families the opportunity to spend quality time together and enjoy the natural beauty of our state.” The Recreational Trails Program provides partial reimbursement for approved trail projects. Eligible projects include construction of new public trails, rehabilitation of existing public trails, development of trail-related facilities and educational programs that relate to recreational trails. The application deadline is  Friday, April 11,...

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife wants to hear your ideas on fishing, hunting, trapping and other fish and wildlife related regulations in Indiana, including special permits. From now until Feb. 28, you can use a convenient online form to contribute ideas and provide input on topics the DNR has identified for consideration. Related articles Minnesota - Spring turkey hunting applications accepted through Jan. 10

 Fly fishing is a popular technique for catching trout, and Oklahomans have a great opportunity to learn how it's done at an upcoming course held by the Illinois River Fly Fishing School. A course will be held  Feb. 21-22  based out of Tenkiller State Park.            Long-time instructor Mark Patton says the clinic lays a good foundation for both amateur and experienced anglers. While he "starts from the ground up," Patton said even those familiar with fly fishing can benefit from the instruction.          The clinic will offer in depth information on equipment, tackle assembly, knots, flies, casting, and tactics and will include on-stream fishing instruction. According to Patton, participants will leave with a better understanding of fly fishing by learning how the equipment works and why it performs the way it does when operated properly. Upon completion of the Illinois River Fly Fishing School, Patton sai...

    There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. ·           The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends a  minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs.  ·           Ice thickness is not uniform on any body of water.  Things like current and springs slow ice growth.  R ocks, trees or docks   that poke through the ice like will conduct heat and make the ice around it less stable.  ·           T here could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice  recently formed , so it would be wise to check ice thickness as you go out . ·           The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. ·           S afety items in the bucket:...

Map of USA with Oklahoma highlighted (Photo credit: Wikipedia) CENTRAL Arcadia : November 13. Elevation normal, water 46 and murky. All fishing fair to good. Report submitted by Sheila Hutton, gate attendant. Draper : December 2. Elevation below normal, water clear. All fishing slow. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Hefner : December 3. Elevation dropping, water 44-47 and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Smallmouth bass slow. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on white grubs and jigs at 12-25 ft. along the dam. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait along the dam. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 20-24 ft. along the dam. Walleye slow on grubs at 8-12 ft. along the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle. Overholser : December 3. Elevation normal, water 49 and clear. Crappie and white bass fair on bright colored artificial lures at the west pier. Catfish slow to fair on cut shad. Report submitted by Jarrod Dav...