Interest in hunting, fishing dropping...

By DAVE GRAM, Associated Press Writer
Sat Mar 29, 1:39 PM ET



STOWE, Vt. - Bob Shannon is an avid hunter, a fishing guide and owns a tackle shop, but he sometimes struggles to get his own son out into Vermont's woods and fields.

"He'll be sitting there with the video games," Shannon said of 9-year-old Alexander. "I finally had to lay down the law last summer: 'If it's a nice day, you're outside.'"

Shannon's challenge reflects a larger problem plaguing many state governments: Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales is plunging because of waning interest in the outdoors.

"We're losing our rural culture," said Steve Wright, a regional representative for the National Wildlife Federation. "There are so many distractions, and we're not recruiting young people into hunting and fishing."

Sales of Vermont hunting and fishing licenses have dropped more than 20 percent over the last 20 years, leaving the Fish and Wildlife Department pleading with lawmakers for extra funding.

Other states report similar drop-offs:

_Arkansas hunting license sales dropped from about 345,000 in 1999 to about 319,000 in 2003.

_Pennsylvania sold about 946,000 hunting licenses in 2006, down from just over a million in 1999, and a peak of 1.3 million in 1981.

_Oregon had 100,000 fewer licensed anglers last year than in 1987, and 70,000 fewer licensed hunters.

_West Virginia sold 154,763 resident hunting permits in 2006, a 17 percent decrease from 1997.

The trend means trouble for some fish and wildlife agencies, which use license revenue to finance preservation programs for endangered species like peregrine falcons, bald eagles and loons. Game wardens also help with law enforcement, joining searches for lost hikers and skiers.

In the search for new sources of revenue to support fish and wildlife programs, Vermont lawmakers are weighing legislation that would dedicate part of the state's sales tax revenues to the Fish and Wildlife Department.

"The issue here is that most of our fish and wildlife agencies were set up to fund conservation, based predominantly or entirely on one set of users" — hunters and anglers who pay license fees, according to Dave Chadwick, senior program associate with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Washington.

"They're shouldering the whole burden for a benefit and an amenity that we all enjoy," Chadwick said.

Other fundraising strategies range from sales taxes on outdoor sporting goods, as in Texas, to Florida's surcharges on speeding tickets, said Douglas Shinkle, a policy associate at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Some states are trying to boost efforts to recruit new people — especially young people — into hunting and fishing.

A West Virginia legislator has proposed offering hunters' training courses in public schools, allowing seventh- through ninth-graders to opt for instruction in topics ranging from survival skills to gun safety.

Arkansas has used some of its dedicated sales tax revenue to recruit new hunters. However, the state's hunter education program graduated 11,891 people under 30 years old last year, down from 16,596 in 1998.

Vermont sponsors youth hunting weekends, typically three a year. Oregon has started youth mentoring programs that match kids up with experienced hunters. Minnesota has two staff members reaching out to the state's burgeoning Southeast Asian population, said Jay Johnson of the state Department of Natural Resources' hunter recruitment and retention program.

Wright said it might be an uphill battle because of everything from video games to the growth in structured activities like team sports and music lessons.

But Shannon said he has met with some success. After he laid down the law with Alexander last summer, the boy went out fishing almost every morning, he said.

Bob Shannon holds a stuffed wild salmon in his Fly Rod Shop ...

I can't believe I read this!

Get your kids off their fat asses and make them go outside...

What is this country coming to?



Bob Shannon holds a stuffed wild salmon in his Fly Rod Shop ... - Yahoo! News Photos: "Sat Mar 29, 12:32 PM ET Bob Shannon holds a stuffed wild salmon in his Fly Rod Shop in Stowe, Vt., Wednesday, March 26. Shannon says he struggles to get his 9-year-old son, pictured on a poster in the background, to leave his video games and get out into the woods and rivers to hunt and fish in Vermont. State fish and wildlife officials say there has been a decline in sales of fishing and hunting licenses, whose fees help protect wildlife.(AP Photo/Alden Pellett)"

Women and Fishing

Women and Fishing

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each and every day. And, why not? Fishing is a sport that doesn't require exceptional strength, stamina or height. Quite the contrary, fishing is a sport of agility, finesse and patience…skills many women already possess. So why don't more women fish?

Successful fishing requires knowledge of various types of fishing gear, tackle, and an understanding of the quarry. Fish have a variety of feeding habits, behavioral patterns, etc. and these characteristics influence how to go about fishing for them.

Traditionally, men learned how to fish when they were boys from fathers and grandfathers. Even if this training was lacking, it's no big deal for a guy to hang out with other guys who enjoy fishing and learn the ropes from them.

For a woman, though, the process is apt to be somewhat more difficult. Some girls are fortunate enough though to have their father teach them how to fish. Often times this happens when there are just girls in the family.

Women like these learn how to bait their own hook, remove fish from the line, and even clean the fish once caught. Some people would call these women “tom boys”…Whether they are or they aren’t…One thing for sure is that they know how to fish!

For women who weren't brought up fishing as I was, all is certainly not lost. Although learning from a boyfriend or spouse is not out of the question, a significant other may not be the best place to get your first fishing pointers.

Your honey may not have the patience that you will need to learn proper fishing techniques and he may be a bit condescending as well…not exactly conducive to an enjoyable learning experience.

Try instead local women's fishing clubs. Check online for groups in your area that are specifically organized by and for women. Many groups are primarily centered on fly-fishing but not all are.

Also see if your community college or local university offers any fishing courses. Often fishing classes are offered in the adult education, physical education or recreation departments.

Of course, you can also start at your local library, checking out books on fishing and learning a few basic techniques that way.

Your local fishing outfitter or marina may have more information as well and would also be a good place for information and to network with other fishing women.

Another option is to go online and search for websites catering to women and the outdoors.

Other groups, both national and state, promote fishing for women. There are seminars, fishing adventures and special fishing events scheduled year-round in many areas of the country which are organized especially for women anglers.

Fishing is also a great hobby for women because it doesn’t cost a lot of money to get started. Compared to other hobbies, the start-up costs for a good spin or bait-casting set up aren’t all that expensive. For $200 you can buy a great beginner rod and reel. As a side-note, fly-fishing equipment is generally a little bit more money but still very reasonable.

Some women don’t fish because they think they need a boat…Boy, they couldn’t be more wrong. You don’t need a boat to go fishing. Many great fishing spots can be reached without a boat. All you have to do is ask around and look at a few maps to determine which places can be reach by car or trail.

So women if you’re looking for an enjoyable and challenging hobby why not take up fishing? Learning how to fish can take a little bit of work but it’s a lot like riding a bicycle. Once you learn how to fish, it’ll become a part of you. In fact, you may even become addicted!

The waters are calling…Go show those boys what you can do!

The ABCs of Fishing Rods

The ABCs of Fishing Rods

See yourself standing on the bank of a swiftly moving stream in the shade of a gnarled willow, your fishing rod bent beneath the weight of an unusually large catch…

Whether or not you land that fish depends on the decisions you made at the shop -- primarily the type of rod you bought!

Your rod is the most important tool you will use while fishing and you can chose from a wide range of types, styles and lengths.

A fishing rod is a shaft of graphite, fiberglass, steel, wood or bamboo used to catch fish.

The fishing line is connected to your reel and threaded through the eyes of the rod out through the tip. Different rods will have different types of tips depending on what type of rod it is. Some tips are made for casting and others are made for trolling.

The base of the rod is where the fishing reel is mounted. Different rods are for different reels. Some are for fly fishing, some for spin-fishing, and even some for bait-casting or trolling.

Fishing rods vary in length from 4 feet (for children) to 16 feet; with the average being around 6 feet long. You pick your rod length based on the type of fishing you’ll be doing. Often you’ll find stout shorter rods for trolling and the very long rods for casting.

Here’s some advice for selecting your rod based on where you’re going to be fishing…

If your fishing hole is located next to trees with overhead branches, you'll need a short, flexible rod. This will allow you to cast easier. You want a flexible rod so that it can bend without snapping in half.

The flexibility of a rod is determined by the diameter. Light rods are thin and flexible, while stronger rods are thicker and more rigid.

For open terrain, flexible, thin rods that are 10 to 12 feet long are good, unless it's too windy. If it happens to be windy that day, you may find that a little short rod will make it easier to cast.

Some people also choose their rods based on the type of water they are fishing…

Fresh Water Or Salt Water?

Freshwater fishing occurs in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, while saltwater fishing is done in oceans, bays and along the coast. Choose a rod appropriate to the environment of where you'll be fishing.

You should also give consideration to the species of fish you are going after.

Short, strong rods are best for landing big game fish. Stronger and thicker rods should be used for large aggressive fish. Generally a smaller lighter rod should be used for smaller fish.

Some people enjoy fishing with a slightly smaller and lighter rod than you actually need because it’s more of a challenge. Just be careful you don’t break your rod and lose your fish!

Some people select their rods based on the material of the rod.

Common types of fishing rods include bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.

Bamboo rods can vary from a basic inexpensive pole with a line attached to a very expensive, handcrafted rod that is used for fly-fishing. Bamboo rods run from $5 up to hundreds of dollars for handcrafted fly fishing rods. If you are not planning to do fly-fishing, fiberglass or graphite rods are best.

Fiberglass rods are good for beginners and kids and they're reasonably priced. They come in many lengths, flexibility characteristics, and require very little maintenance.

Many experienced anglers prefer graphite rods, because they are very lightweight and extremely strong.

Lastly, you should select a rod based on how well it fits you.

Your goal should be to find a rod that fits your arm and is comfortable. If you have trouble finding one that fits you best, ask someone with experience to go along or just ask the staff at a fishing store.

I hope you put these tips to use when selecting your first or next rod.

Tight Lines!