Hunting in Phys Ed Classes: The RIGHT thing to do!

Full Article Here

An educator doing good. Principal McNeil needs our support. Send letters and e-mails. PROACTIVE. Make contact strengthen his resolve to persevere through the protests. Educate the parents.

What are your kids learning at school? For some parents in Plymouth, it's a shocking answer. A physical education class has some parents very upset. Aimee Falls says, "I was in shock and I was completely offended." When Aimee Falls found out that her 13 year old daughter was learning how to hunt in her physical education class at Lincoln Jr. High School... without parental notice or consent. Aimee Falls says, "I felt my rights as a parent were totally violated." Marian Curl, whose granddaughter is also in the class, says she feels the same way. Marian Curl says, "When you see all the bad things that have happened to children with guns, why would a school even want to teach children how to use guns?" But Lincoln Jr. High School Principal, John McNeil says that's exactly why the school has the class... to teach students gun safety in case they ever come in contact with one. John McNeil says, "Our goal and our aim is to give kids knowledge and strategy about how to handle those situations if they ever come upon them." But Aimee says the course goes way beyond gun safety. The book the class uses shows kids how to load and fire a gun and how to correctly shoot different types of animals. And the lessons don't end there. "This page show you where all the safeties on the guns are. Did they teach your how to take the safeties off those guns in class? Sasha Falls says, "You can just pull em back." Aimee Falls says, "I do not feel comfortable with them knowing this information that I know they have been taught. It's scary." Principal McNeil says, while he understands Aimee's concerns, he believes that children not knowing how to properly handle a weapon is even scarier. John McNeil says, "As a result of not being real knowledgeable, some individuals have been injured." And hopes parents will recognize the benefits a hunting class, but understands that some may never be comfortable with their children learning about guns. In the future, students at Lincoln Jr. High School will most likely have to get parental permission to take the hunting course. But some parents say if the class continues, they will take their students out of the school.

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NASP Success in New Jersey

Hudson Reporter Article Here

Everyone PLEASE write a comment on this and thank the writer for such a fantastic article. I have forwarded the article to Roy Grimes and my State Coordinator for further distribution. For those unfamiliar with the program visit NASP


By Jim Hague

When one thinks of archery, the initial image may be of Hollywood legend Errol Flynn portraying Robin Hood, gallivanting through Sherwood Forest with bow and arrow in hand.

Or perhaps it could be of William Tell, trying to shoot the apple off his son's head.

Or maybe even Apache Indians going off to battle.

It's an image of medieval times, of an era gone by, one that certainly isn't very prevalent now.

Guess again.

In Weehawken, archery has become a very popular sport - and yes, it is certainly a sport.

For years, archery has been featured in the Olympic Games. It is a sport of precision, of timing, of intense hand-to-eye coordination.

Chuck Barone, the township's recreational director, has been involved in the sport of archery since he was 15 years old. It was something that Barone picked up on as a teen and it remained an interest to him throughout his adult life.

"People think that archery is strictly done to kill animals in hunting," Barone said. "Sure, that's an aspect to it, but hunting is so totally different than the sport. The sport is excellent."

New program for students

Two years ago, when Barone was thinking of ideas to introduce to youngsters as part of the township's recreation program, he immediately thought of archery.

"We were looking for something different to offer to the kids who aren't the most gifted athletically, yet still wanted to get involved in a recreational program," Barone said. "We were looking for something that kids could compete in other than the typical football and basketball programs. There are a lot of good things in archery."

Roosevelt School physical education teacher Joe Perez is also an avid archer. He also decided to help bring archery to Weehawken by introducing the sport in his classes.

The hope is that the Weehawken schools will become part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), a nationwide effort to introduce the sport to elementary school students.

The NASP is designed to teach international style target archery in physical education classes to students from the fourth grade through high school. The core content of the classes includes archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement.

"I think it helps to build confidence and self esteem," Barone said. "The student becomes proud of what they're accomplishing."

Statewide interest

Barone said that there are 12 school districts in northern New Jersey alone that have adopted the NASP program.

"People don't realize just how much of an upswing there has been in archery over the last five years, especially locally," Barone said. "There are local archery clubs, competitions, and leagues. Eventually, the National program would love to see a statewide competition in New Jersey."

Barone had no idea what the interest would be like with the youngsters in the town. But when the program began, there were about 25 kids who wanted to give it a try.

"We got a good response right away," Barone said.

A-list actress inspires girls

Genna Fakuda, a 10-year-old fifth grader at Roosevelt School, said that she was curious about archery because of a school project that she had just completed.

"One of the people that I featured in my project was Geena Davis," Fakuda said. "I knew that she was into archery and she inspired me to try it."

Davis, the Oscar-winning actress, is such an avid archer that she actually tried out for the United States Olympic Team in 2004 and just missed making the squad.

Because of Davis' inspiration, girls like Fakuda are taking to the sport.

"Once I started, I really liked it," Fakuda said. "I had fun learning it. It was pretty hard at first, especially getting the arm strength with the bow. I got used to it after a while."

"It's always good to see girls get involved," Barone said. "We have a number of girls who have been regularly coming to the classes."

Some of the Weehawken youngsters have become so interested in the sport that they have joined leagues in Saddle Brook to participate there.

"Some others have their own bows now," Barone said. "The kids are really getting into it. I'm really impressed with how far they've come."

Shooting for the stars

One of the more avid Weehawken archers is Roosevelt School sixth grader James McCall, who has become very proficient in just the short time he's been shooting.

"Mr. Perez encouraged me to do it and I really got into it," McCall said. "I never did it before, but I liked it a lot. I like the challenge of it. I play baseball, too, but this is a lot different. You have to be persistent. You have to have good balance. I'm glad I got a chance to learn about archery in school."

Both McCall and Fakuda are surprised with how talented they've become with the bow and arrow.

"I'm surprised with how good I've become," McCall said. "I never would have thought I would be this good."

"I'm very surprised with how much I've improved since I've started," Fakuda said. "I like that I keep getting better."

Both students have been encouraging their friends to get involved in the sport.

"I'm going to continue to participate in it," McCall said. "It's something I think I can do pretty well."

"Mr. Perez helped me to become good at it," Fakuda said. "He's a very good teacher. He's the reason why I'm good at it now. I've already had four bulls' eyes and I've only been shooting for about a year. I just want to keep doing it and get better. Maybe I can be an Olympian some day. That's a goal of mine."

Barone said that the archery program has become so successful that he might consider offering adult classes in the future.

"That's something we're discussing," Barone said. "We just wanted to offer something as an alternative for the kids to do and it worked out well. So far, so good."

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National Trappers Asscociation

As one of the smallest groups we have in the outdoors community, the National Trappers Association is on the front lines of defending truth and sound management of wildlife. They have won many fights against the most powerful of Animal Rights organizations.
Many trappers are also hunters , but the vast majority of hunters are not trappers. This exposes quite an imbalance within. Hunters must begin to realize that we fight the same fight as trappers and what affects them will inevitably affect us and our endeavors. The lack of support we show trappers will haunt us in the long run. The HSUS and others will use and modify the arguments they defeat trapping initiatives with to defeat us and exploit the divisions that we create.
I encourage everyone to show support for the NTA and local trapping organizations, if not monetarily, by making contact with them and offering to help with anything they need or require. Distributing literature or making phone calls can go miles in showing unity, good will and positive image portrayal. Thank You in advance.

News from Reading Outdoor Expo

Well folks, after a long week and much talking with vendors and consumers I have much to report.
First, let me tell you of an impressive lady with a mission, Her name is Nikki and she is the founder of Team Xtreme an organization to promote and encourage youth and women to participate in fishing, conservation and the outdoors lifestyle. It was a pleasure to break bread with Nikki and Capt. Chris of Reel-istic charters.

Hunt of a Lifetime was there also and had a HOAL blanket to present to Ted Nugent for all his help and support. A young man who has benefited from HOAL was escorted back to the meet and greet and presented the blanket; I was unable to be in the room to witness the event, but reports afterward were that this young man was elated with the 1/2 hour that Ted spent with him one on one. Grant, the HOAL representative, was so thrilled with the responses they recieved I had to pull him off the ceiling more than a few times.

United Bowhunters of PA was there with a 3d archery range for the kids and they helped distribute NASP CDs to instructors and teachers and parents.

It was truly a heartlifting experience.

Helicopter Pilot Saves Stranded Deer on Frozen Lake

Wonder what the "Walt Disney" version of this story would have been???

NORMAN, Okla. — The pilot of a television news helicopter used the wind from the aircraft's rotor to push a stranded deer to safety after it lost its footing on an icy lake and could not get up.

A small crowd of people had gathered to watch the deer struggling without success to regain its footing near the shore of icy Lake Thunderbird about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

• Click here to see video of the TV helicopter saving the deer.

KWTV pilot Mason Dunn used the wind from the rotor to push the deer, initially sending it into a break in the ice where the animal managed to hold onto the ice with its front legs.

Dunn then lowered the helicopter and the wind sent the deer sliding on its belly across the ice until it reached shore, struggled to regain its footing and then scampered into a nearby wooded area.

Let the folks in Oklahoma know we like this story!

KWTV

mailroom@kwtv.com

The Oklahoman

yourviews@oklahoman.com

Romney realizes we matter?

ORLANDO , Fla. -- Former governor Mitt Romney, who once described himself as a supporter of strong gun laws, is distancing himself from that rhetoric now as he attempts to court the gun owners who make up a significant force in Republican primary politics. In his 1994 US Senate run, Romney backed two gun-control measures strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups: the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on gun sales, and a ban on certain assault weapons. "That's not going to make me the hero of the NRA," Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994. At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: "I don't line up with the NRA." And as the GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2002, Romney lauded the state's strong laws during a debate against Democrat Shannon O'Brien. "We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them," he said. "I won't chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety." Today, as he explores a presidential bid, Romney is sending a very different message on gun issues, which are far more prominent in Republican national politics than in Massachusetts. He now touts his work as governor to ease restrictions on gun owners. He proudly describes himself as a member of the NRA -- though his campaign won't say when he joined. And Friday, at his campaign's request, top officials of the NRA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation led him around one of the country's biggest gun shows. Romney says he still backs the ban on assault weapons, but he won't say whether he stands by the Brady Bill. And after the gun show tour, his campaign declined to say whether he would still describe himself as a supporter of tough gun laws. "He believes Americans have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the US Constitution," spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom wrote in an e-mail. "He's proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms. Like President Bush, he supports restrictions on assault weapons, but Mitt Romney has also worked with gun owners and sportsmen to ease the gun-licensing laws in Massachusetts." Romney appears to be stepping up his efforts to portray himself as a gun-friendly candidate, though some gun-rights activists in important primary states say his past positions will hurt him politically. On Wednesday, Romney said on an Internet podcast, "The Glenn and Helen Show," that he hopes states would continue to ease regulations on gun owners, and he expressed enthusiasm for guns and hunting. "I have a gun of my own. I go hunting myself. I'm a member of the NRA and believe firmly in the right to bear arms," Romney said. Asked by reporters at the gun show Friday whether he personally owned the gun, Romney said he did not. He said one of his sons, Josh, keeps two guns at the family vacation home in Utah, and he uses them "from time to time." The guns are a Winchester hunting rifle and a Glock 9mm handgun, which Romney uses for target shooting . Romney also described himself as a sportsman who learned to shoot as a boy rabbit hunting in Idaho with a .22 rifle. He fondly recalled shooting quail last year at a Republican Governors Association event in Georgia. "I . . . had a good time and actually knocked down a couple of birds," he said. Fehrnstrom said Romney had taken steps to support gun rights as governor, including his signing of an NRA-backed bill last year that reduced a testing requirement on certain pistol-makers before they could sell guns in Massachusetts. In 2002, even as he was pledging to uphold the state's strong gun laws, Romney still garnered a "B" grade from the NRA. Also, in 2005, Romney designated May 7 as "The Right to Bear Arms Day" in Massachusetts to honor "the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense." But perhaps the most significant gun legislation Romney signed as governor was a 2004 measure instituting a permanent ban on assault weapons. The Legislature mirrored the law after the federal assault weapons ban, which was set to expire. According to activists at the time, the bill made Massachusetts the first state to enact its own such ban, and Romney hailed the move. "These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense," he was quoted as saying. "They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people." The bill enjoyed the support of Massachusetts gun owners because it also encompassed several measures they favored -- including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry. (Asked about the bill Friday, Romney described it as a "consensus measure" and a "positive step.") But the NRA and many local affiliates do not support assault weapons bans, arguing that the arms are rarely used in crimes and have a legitimate purpose in hunting, target shooting, and self-protection. Romney's signing of that bill, despite its progun provisions, will be problematic politically, activists say. "Why don't you just not take away [rights] from us?" Michael Thiede, president of the group Michigan Gun Owners, said last week. He said Romney's support for the assault-weapons ban and the Brady Bill will "absolutely" give him friction. Gerald W. Stoudemire, president of Gun Owners of South Carolina, agreed, saying Romney has been "basically antigun on some issues." "They're going to be a big scratch on his record," Stoudemire said. "He's going to have to not just get over them, but show a different direction if he's going to pick up voters." The NRA officials who led Romney around the trade show declined to discuss his positions. "We meet with candidates all over the country at every level," said Chris W. Cox, who heads the NRA's political and legislative work. Romney's past positions on gun control have also drawn some attention in the blogosphere, though not nearly as much as his statements in support of abortion rights and gay rights. (He's now antiabortion and takes a harder line on gay rights.) "Wait until the 2d amendment crowd gets a hold of Mitt's views on gun control," one blogger wrote on punditreview.com . Romney was clearly trying to allay such concerns by attending the massive Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Romney, joined by his wife, Ann, and trailed by local television stations and a few reporters, chatted enthusiastically with vendors displaying a wide variety of weapons. "Let's see your shotguns here," Romney said to Michael F. Golden, CEO of the Springfield-based gunmaker Smith & Wesson. Romney's dark suit stood out in a sea of camouflage, but he gamely introduced himself to anyone in his path. At one booth, he met exhibition shooter Tom Knapp , who gave Romney some hunting advice: When you miss an animal, pretend you did it on purpose, because you want the animal to breed lots of offspring (read: targets). "That's a great hunting tip!" Romney said with a laugh. The trade show illustrated the work that lies ahead for Romney in broadening his name recognition. Though many people knew who he was -- "I was just pitching you last night!" one man said enthusiastically -- many others did not. "Who is that?" a woman at the Crossman gunmaker booth asked quietly after Romney walked away. "A governor," someone said. "Where?" she asked. "Massachusetts -- may be running for president." Moments later, a different woman gestured in his direction: "Is that Jeb Bush?" "No, it's Mitt Romney," Fehrnstrom corrected.

Let the Governor know we support his new found love of the shooting sports:

Romney for President Exploratory Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 55899
Boston, MA 02205-5899
Phone: (857) 288-6400e-mail
policy comments

Contact the Massachusetts media:

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New York State Newspaper Gets it Right!

The Star-Gazette in Elmira, NY published this article by columnist Jeff Murray. This is exactly the type of reporting that is missing in most news publications these days!


From the Star-Gazzette
By Jeff Murray
1/14/07
www.star-gazette.com

Some old stereotypes die hard, such as the notion that hunting is a man's sport.

Somewhere along the line, someone forgot to mention that to Pat Space of Rathbone in rural Steuben County.

And Space, a single mother of two girls, wants to make sure her young daughters know their place isn't just in the home, but in the tree stand, a bass boat, or anywhere else they wish.

Space set quite an example for her daughters when she tagged a dandy 11-point buck Nov. 27. And the circumstances of the kill make it even more impressive.

Hunting from a tree stand, Space shot the buck on the run with one shot from her 20-gauge Remington Model 1100 shotgun.

Even though the slug hit the deer squarely in the lower ribcage, it still managed to run off. Space followed the blood trail for a while but had to suspend the search when it got too dark.

"I still wasn't sure how big he was, only that he was the biggest deer I ever saw," Space said.

Space had to go to work early the next morning, but her brother and sister-in-law volunteered to look for the buck in the meantime. By the time she returned home from work, they had found her trophy, and helped her drag it out of the woods.

Space had her buck officially green scored at 125 1/2 points, and the rack had a 21-inch inside spread. Despite some overnight predation by coyotes, the deer still tipped the scales at about 160 pounds field dressed.

Her buck was only the second antlered deer she has shot -- her other was a four-pointer taken about three years ago -- but Space is no newcomer to hunting or the outdoors.

"I have five older brothers. The boys always hunted. This was all my parents' farm," she said. "I grew up on a farm, so there were always animals around."

Space said her brothers rarely invited her on their hunting trips, and she wants to make sure daughters Cheyenne, 12, and Shannon, 9, don't get left behind because of their gender.

"It didn't matter to me that they were girls," she said. "When I was young, I kept up with my brothers."

The girls often tag along on their mother's hunting and shooting adventures and are eager to follow in her footsteps. Cheyenne has been practicing with her own Daisy Red Ryder BB gun and Shannon will have her chance once she is mature enough to handle the responsibility. Safety is the first priority, Space said.

Cheyenne will be old enough to hunt turkeys in the spring, but she is anxious to get right to the main event.

"I can't wait until I'm 16 so I can get (a deer) that big," she said with a big grin.

The girls also go fishing with their mother, and both girls are learning how to bait their own hooks and remove fish from the hook, something that gives Mom a chance to fish a little more for herself.

"We go up to the St. Lawrence River. They have huge big bass in a pool up there," Shannon said.

In addition to hunting deer in the fall, Space pursues turkeys in the spring and woodchucks in the summer. She also shoots trap on a regular basis, and believes the practice shooting fast-moving clay pigeons came in handy when she had a running deer in her sights.

Space hopes she can be an inspiration to her daughters, and to other women who might want to venture into the outdoors.

"I have a group of guys that I trap shoot with. When I shoot with them, I'm just one of the guys," she said. "I try to encourage my female friends to go hunting and shooting.

"Basically I've always enjoyed the outdoors and I really hope my girls will continue to enjoy it too. I think it's very important for all kids to enjoy the outdoors," Space said. "Unfortunately, today a lot of kids never get outside to enjoy it or to learn about hunting and fishing."


Let the Star-Gazette know how much we support this article!

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Colorado Governor Deserves Our Support!

Colorado Governor: PETA “A Bunch Of Losers,” “Frauds”

January 5, 2007

As many as 340,000 cows and steers have been left stranded by southeastern Colorado's most recent snowstorm, and National Guard units are helping ranchers in a frantic bid to save the freezing animals. Faced with 15-foot snowdrifts, rescuers are airlifting bales of hay and hoping for the best. But as Coloradans are learning, the wealthy People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) isn't about to lift a finger. Not forthose animals -- the ones destined to be flame-broiled, grilled, or roasted. Appearing on Denver radio station KRFX yesterday morning, Colorado Governor Bill Owens spoke for all of us. PETA, he declared, are "a bunch of losers" [click to listen] and "frauds" [click to listen].

The dustup started when KRFX morning hosts Rick Lewis and Michael Floorwax (yes, that's his real name) called PETA to ask if the group would help feed and rescue the snowbound herds. PETA spokeswoman Reannon Peterson took the call, and bluntly replied: "You're going to save them, and then in six months they're going to be killed and end up on someone's plate. So I don't know that it's really the most noble cause." [click to listen].

Peterson added that wild animals caught in the blizzard's wake -- the same animals PETA routinely criticizes hunters for bagging -- also weren't worth spending PETA's money to save. "It's an act of God," she said. "There's really nothing to be done" [click to listen].

Enter Governor Owens. In addition to labeling PETA "losers" and "frauds," he expressed amazement that "PETA doesn't want us to feed freezing cattle" [click to listen] and stated that "it's symbolic of what PETA stands for" [click to listen]. Finally, Owens declared that PETA is "a strange group of people. Don't send money to PETA" [click to listen]. Asked a few hours later by KRFX sister-station KOA-AM to reiterate his position on PETA, he put it plainly: "What a bunch of losers. Don't give your money to PETA." [click to listen].

We couldn't agree more. As we're telling the media today, the Colorado snowstorm is exactly the kind of emergency that should send PETA into action. But PETA -- whose president publicly wished for a foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001 -- has a stubborn anti-meat bias. To this group of tofu-devouring loonies, seeing the livelihood of cattle ranchers evaporate is a cheap thrill. This may also be the reason why the vegetarian-oriented Humane Society of the United States isn't spending any of the $145 million it raised last year on Colorado helicopter rentals and hay bales.

Please thank the Governor for his stance:

e-mail
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Bill Ritter, Governor
136 State Capitol
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