Boone & Crockett Releases Historic List of Top 125 Trophy Counties

MISSOULA, MT-In commemoration of its 125th anniversary, Boone and Crockett Club has released an historic list of the Top 125 trophy counties across the U.S.

The list is based on Boone and Crockett big-game records-trophy data going back to 1830 and long used by conservationists to gauge outstanding habitat, strong recruitment of game animals into older age classes, sustainable harvest objectives and other elements of sound wildlife management and fair-chase hunting.

"Consistent trophy production over time is proof that conservation measures are working exceptionally well, and the 125 counties on this list stand out as historic models of success," said Boone and Crockett Club President Ben Wallace. "But the good news extends well beyond the list. Trophy production appears to be trending upward with many species and across much of North America. In fact, last year our records program had 979 new entries, compared to 372 just 30 years ago."

He added, "That kind of growth is gratification for hunters, whose leadership, funding and hard work have been the driving force behind conservation since Theodore Roosevelt founded Boone and Crockett Club back in 1887."

A few counties are recognized on the list for multiple categories of trophies.

Boone and Crockett Club's Top 125 trophy counties:

1. Wyoming, Carbon County-282 pronghorn in B&C records
2. California, Mendocino County-190 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
3. California, Trinity County-185 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
4. Wyoming, Sweetwater County-183 pronghorn in B&C records
5. Wyoming, Fremont County-153 pronghorn in B&C records
6. Nevada, Clark County-142 desert sheep in B&C records
7. Wyoming, Natrona County-142 pronghorn in B&C records
8. Montana, Granite County-134 bighorn sheep in B&C records
9. South Dakota, Custer County-134 bison in B&C records
10. Montana, Sanders County-132 bighorn sheep in B&C records
11. Arizona, Coconino County-128 pronghorn in B&C records
12. New Mexico, Socorro County-117 pronghorn in B&C records
13. Nevada, Washoe County-114 pronghorn in B&C records
14. New Mexico, Rio Arriba County-113 typical mule deer in B&C records
15. Wyoming, Teton County-108 Shiras' moose in B&C records
16. Texas, Hudspeth County-106 pronghorn in B&C records
17. California, Humboldt County-100 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
18. New Mexico, Mora County-99 pronghorn in B&C records
19. Oregon, Jackson County-93 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
20. Arizona, Pima County-92 typical Coues' whitetail deer in B&C records
21. Arizona, Yavapai County-92 pronghorn in B&C records
22. Nevada, Humboldt County-89 pronghorn in B&C records
23. Wisconsin, Buffalo County-86 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
24. New Mexico, Catron County-79 pronghorn in B&C records
25. New Mexico, Colfax County-79 pronghorn in B&C records
26. Montana, Blaine County-73 bighorn sheep in B&C records
27. Montana, Teton County-70 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
28. Oregon, Clackamas County-70 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
29. Arizona, Yuma County-67 desert sheep in B&C records
30. Colorado, Eagle County-67 typical mule deer in B&C records
31. New Mexico, Lincoln County-67 pronghorn in B&C records
32. Wyoming, Teton County-67 bison in B&C records
33. California, Siskiyou County-66 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
34. Wyoming, Sublette County-61 Shiras' moose in B&C records
35. Montana, Fergus County-54 bighorn sheep in B&C records
36. Idaho, Idaho County-53 cougar in B&C records
37. Minnesota, St. Louis County-53 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
38. Oregon, Harney County-51 pronghorn in B&C records
39. Arizona, Coconino County-50 typical American elk in B&C records
40. Arizona, Mohave County-50 desert sheep in B&C records
41. Texas, Webb County-49 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
42. Washington, Lewis County-48 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
43. Wyoming, Lincoln County-48 typical mule deer in B&C records
44. Arizona, Gila County-47 black bear in B&C records
45. California, Humboldt County-47 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
46. Colorado, Mesa County-47 typical mule deer in B&C records
47. Oregon, Lake County-47 pronghorn in B&C records
48. Texas, Dimmit County-47 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
49. California, Tehama County-46 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
50. Montana, Deer Lodge County-46 bighorn sheep in B&C records
51. Montana, Missoula County-46 bighorn sheep in B&C records
52. Nevada, Nye County-46 desert sheep in B&C records
53. Texas, Maverick County-46 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
54. Colorado, Moffat County-45 pronghorn in B&C records
55. Colorado, Garfield County-44 typical mule deer in B&C records
56. Oregon, Clatsop County-43 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
57. Arizona, Coconino County-41 typical mule deer in B&C records
58. Arizona, Pima County-41 desert sheep in B&C records
59. Oregon, Lane County-41 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
60. Oregon, Linn County-41 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
61. Montana, Ravalli County-41 bighorn sheep in B&C records
62. Montana, Lewis & Clark County-40 bighorn sheep in B&C records
63. Texas, La Salle County-40 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
64. Utah, Weber County-40 Shiras' moose in B&C records
65. Wyoming, Lincoln County-40 Shiras' moose in B&C records
66. Arizona, Apache County-39 typical American elk in B&C records
67. Montana, Lincoln County-39 Shiras' moose in B&C records
68. Colorado, Gunnison County-38 typical mule deer in B&C records
69. Montana, Rosebud County-38 pronghorn in B&C records
70. Nevada, Elko County-38 Rocky Mountain goat in B&C records
71. Wisconsin, Price County-38 black bear in B&C records
72. Idaho, Bonneville County-37 Shiras' moose in B&C records
73. Minnesota, St. Louis County-37 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
74. Utah, Garfield County-36 bison in B&C records
75. Wisconsin, Trempealeau County-36 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
76. Colorado, Montrose County-35 typical mule deer in B&C records
77. Arizona, Coconino County-34 non-typical mule deer in B&C records
78. Colorado, Delta County-34 typical mule deer in B&C records
79. Colorado, Jackson County-34 Shiras' moose in B&C records
80. Iowa, Allamakee County-34 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
81. Washington, Pierce County-34 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
82. Wisconsin, Bayfield County-34 black bear in B&C records
83. Wisconsin, Sawyer County-34 black bear in B&C records
84. Wyoming, Campbell County-34 pronghorn in B&C records
85. Colorado, Montezuma County-33 typical mule deer in B&C records
86. Wisconsin, Buffalo County-33 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
87. Washington, Pend Oreille County-32 Shiras' moose in B&C records
88. North Carolina, Hyde County-32 black bear in B&C records
89. Wyoming, Albany County-32 pronghorn in B&C records
90. Arizona, Gila County-31 typical Coues' whitetail deer in B&C records
91. Illinois, Jo Daviess County-31 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
92. Montana, Beaverhead County-31 Shiras' moose in B&C records
93. Montana, Flathead County-31 Shiras' moose in B&C records
94. New Mexico, Rio Arriba County-31 non-typical mule deer in B&C records
95. Oregon, Columbia County-31 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
96. Oregon, Marion County-31 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
97. Wyoming, Park County-31 typical American elk in B&C records
98. Iowa, Clayton County-30 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
99. Oregon, Wallowa County-30 bighorn sheep in B&C records
100. Wisconsin, Baron County-30 black bear in B&C records
101. Wyoming, Carbon County-30 typical mule deer in B&C records
102. Arizona, Maricopa County- 29 desert sheep in B&C records
103. Colorado, Rio Blanco County-29 cougar in B&C records
104. New Mexico, Rio Arriba County-29 cougar in B&C records
105. New Mexico, Taos County-29 bighorn sheep B&C records
106. Utah, Kane County-29 typical mule deer in B&C records
107. Washington, Clallam County-29 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
108. Illinois, Pike County-28 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
109. Nevada, White Pine County-28 typical American elk in B&C records
110. Illinois, Fulton County-26 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
111. New Mexico, Catron County-26 typical American elk in B&C records
112. Minnesota, Itasca County-25 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
113. Arizona, Apache County-24 non-typical American elk in B&C records
114. Arizona, Pima County-24 non-typical Coues' whitetail deer in B&C records
115. Illinois, Adams County-24 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
116. New Mexico, San Juan County-24 typical American elk in B&C records
117. California, San Bernardino County-23 desert sheep in B&C records
118. California, Solano County-23 tule elk in B&C records
119. California, Trinity County-20 bighorn sheep in B&C records
120. Iowa, Van Buren County-19 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
121. Montana, Park County-17 bison in B&C records
122. Texas, Culberson County-16 desert sheep in B&C records
123. Washington, Chelan County-15 Rocky Mountain goat in B&C records
124. Washington, Okanogan County-15 Rocky Mountain goat in B&C records
125. Idaho, Caribou County-1 grizzly bear in B&C records (1900)

Native North American big game species tracked by Boone and Crockett Club but not included in the Top 125 counties include Alaska brown and polar bear; barren ground, central Canada barren ground, Quebec-Labrador, mountain and woodland caribou; Dall's and Stone's sheep; Alaska-Yukon and Canada moose; Sitka blacktail deer and muskox. These species are recorded by geographic location rather than by county.

The Top 125 list is based on "Trophy Search," a searchable online database available to subscribers. Users can sort B&C archival data in infinite ways to identify trophy trends and locations. An annual subscription is $50. Boone and Crockett Club Associates can receive a discount. Order online at www.boone-crockett.org or by calling 888-840-4868.


About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

Contact:
Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766, steve@blueheroncomm.com.

Original Post on The Outdoor Wire

Team USA gets number one ranking

Colorado Springs, CO - Less than two weeks away from the World Archery Championships in Torino, Italy, Team USA archers continue their amazing progress, climbing the newly-released World Rankings and achieving several number one placements.

World Cup back-to-back gold medalists Brady Ellison (recurve) and Rodger Willett, Jr. (compound) have each achieved a number one World Ranking this month. They are joined in the number one spot by the Men's Recurve Team, the Men's Compound Team, the Women's Compound Team and the Mixed Compound Team.

Compound archer Erika Anschutz and the Mixed Recurve Team have earned a number two ranking. Other notable placements include compound archers Reo Wilde and Braden Gellenthien, in the third and fourth spots respectively, and the Women's Recurve Team in the ninth position.

"This is a great moment for our archers and teams," commented KiSik Lee, National Head Coach for USA Archery. "We are so proud of our progress right now, and ask for the continued support of our membership during the coming World Archery Championships."

Following the Nor'easter, a USAT Qualifier Series Event this weekend in Massachusetts, team members will travel to Torino, Italy, where they will compete at the World Archery Championships. Though this event occurs every two years, it's unique in 2011: the recurve men's and women's teams will attempt to qualify quota spots for the Olympic Games by achieving a top-eight final finish.
Contact:
Teresa Iaconi for USA Archery
tiaconi@usarchery.org
860.904.0497

Five Star Restoration Program Announces New Grants

WASHINGTON - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) announced that the Five Star Restoration Program will award new grants totaling $765,429 to 27 different community-led wetland and streamside restoration projects nationwide. These communities have committed an additional $2.2 million in local project support.

The Five Star Restoration Program, founded in 1999, receives major funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Southern Company and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) Nature Restoration Trust. This year, projects in California are also receiving funds from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Since its founding, Five Star has supported 478 projects with more than $4.1 million in federal funds, $900,000 in corporate contributions and $12.5 million in matching funds at the local level.

"America needs more people to step up and become stewards of our precious wetlands," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, "and the Five Star Restoration program specializes in fostering exactly this type of conservation ethic. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is extremely proud to collaborate with a diverse range of partners to continue to build community connections across America through the program."

"EPA is proud to support the Five Star Restoration Program because of the opportunities it provides communities acting through partnerships to restore and improve wetlands, streams and coasts," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, Michael H. Shapiro.

"PG&E is delighted to support habitat and wetlands restoration projects in the communities we serve," said Steven L. Kline, vice president of corporate environmental and federal affairs for PG&E Corporation. "Environmental stewardship is one of our company's core values, and supporting these projects is one of the ways that we're able to continue to conserve California's diverse habitats."

"Southern Company is proud of its longstanding partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide conservation challenge grants to leading organizations throughout the Southeast," said Chris Hobson, Southern Company's senior vice president for research and environmental affairs. "The Five Star grants serve to further the important grassroots efforts working on-the-ground to restore and protect our wetlands, streams and coasts and the wildlife that inhabit them."

"On behalf of the nation's counties, I congratulate the 2009 NACo Five Star grantees," said NACo President Don Stapley, supervisor, Maricopa County, Ariz. "NACo is very proud of its longstanding support of the Five Star Restoration Program. Counties and their partners across the country are fostering environmental stewardship and building diverse partnerships that promise to restore and protect the environment well into the future."

Major funding for the program comes from EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. In addition to federal funding, PG&E has committed $1 million over three years through its Nature Restoration Trust, and Southern Company has committed $1.2 million over five-years to Five Star.

The Five Star 2009 winners were selected from a competitive pool of more than 165 applications. Consideration for funding is based upon the educational and training opportunities for youth and the community at large, the ecological and other cultural and economic benefits to the community. Five Star projects must also involve a high degree of partnership between local government agencies, elected officials, community groups, businesses, schools, and environmental organizations for improving local water quality and restoring important fish and wildlife habitats. For a full list of the 2009 grant winners please visit www.nfwf.org/fivestar and http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/restore/5star/ .

Project Spotlight
In Northwest Georgia, the Conasauga River Alliance will partner with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Tennessee Aquarium Aquatic Research Institute, Badger Farm Bed and Breakfast, Murray County Public Works, and the Limestone Valley RC&D Council to restore the heavily silted Colvard Spring. Cleaning the stream will improve vital habitat for the Georgia-listed Coldwater darter. Georgia Department of Natural Resources proposes to evaluate Colvard as a safe-guard population site for Tennessee yellow-eyed grass, a federal endangered wetland plant of the Limestone Ridge and Valley Province. The project will result in the restoration of a 1.5 acre spring pool habitat and a demonstration workshop for county, landowner, and resource managers.

In New Mexico, the Sky Island Alliance will partner with the New Mexico Environment Department, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore a degraded creek and wetland. This project will reconnect one of the largest desert ciénegas to its subsurface water source and protect a large population of Chiricahua leopard frogs. Cloverdale Ciénega is a historic wetland of approximately 150 acres of which 90 acres has dried. Partners on the project will remove all levees and plug the spillway gully with material from the removal of the levees as a coordinated set of restoration treatments. The water table is expected to rise, and the ciénega surface should become fully saturated, eventually killing the upland species that have invaded the site, as a natural transition back to a wetland plant community occurs over the next decade.

In California, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County will partner with the Water District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Soquel Neighborhood Alliance, Natural Resources Conservation Service, County Weed Management and several local schools to restore 1.25 acres of degraded riparian habitat. The project will reduce invasive plant species along lower Soquel Creek where the steelhead population is declining. This restoration project will lead to a more educated community with conservation values and place-based connections with Soquel Creek by involving students and the public in hands-on restoration and educational activities.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation's 3,068 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public's understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money. For more information about NACo, visit www.naco.org.

The Wildlife Habitat Council is a nonprofit, non-lobbying organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands. WHC devotes its resources to building partnerships with corporations and conservation groups to create solutions that balance the demands of economic growth with the requirements of a healthy, biodiverse and sustainable environment. More than 2.4 million acres in 48 states, Puerto Rico and 16 other countries are involved in WHC-assisted projects. For more information, visit WHC online at www.wildlifehc.org.

A nonprofit established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the Nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Through leadership conservation investments with public and private partners, NFWF is dedicated to achieving maximum conservation impact by developing and applying best practices and innovative methods for measurable outcomes. Since its establishment, NFWF has awarded over 10,000 grants to over 3,500 organizations in the United States and abroad and leveraged - with its partners - more than $600 million in federal funds into more than $1.5 billion for on-the-ground conservation. For more information, visit www.nfwf.org.

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire

New Pheasants Forever Chapter Formed

Gillette, Wyoming - Hunters and conservationists from Campbell County, Wyoming have formed the state's newest Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter, known as the Thunder Basin Chapter of PF. The chapter is dedicated to improving habitat for pheasants and other wildlife, as well as providing ways for youth to become involved in outdoor activities.

"One of our tops goals is bringing children to the outdoors through education and participation," said Paul Connelly of Gillette, the Thunder Basin chapter's newly-elected president, "By holding youth outdoor days, working with local schools and also partnering with other organizations in conservation efforts, we feel we can enhance Pheasants Forever's No Child Left Indoors initiative." Launched last year, No Child Left Indoors is part of a national movement aimed at getting youth unplugged from electronics and turned on to the outdoors, nature and wildlife.

"With over 45 people at the chapter's start meeting alone, it's evident there's a spirit for conservation in Campbell County," said Bob Hix, PF Field Representative in Wyoming, "With Pheasants Forever's local model, there's a tremendous opportunity to better wildlife habitat for pheasants, but also sage grouse, chukars, antelope and mule deer." Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever (QF), are the only national conservation organizations that empower local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

Hix also sees the chapter continuing PF's strong support of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission's Access Yes program, which provides public hunting opportunities on private lands. On average, every dollar donated to the Access Yes program results in about 4.2 acres of hunting access. Wyoming's PF chapters have donated a total of $39,100 to the program, which translates into over 164,000 acres that PF dollars have helped open up for public access in the state.

The Thunder Basin Chapter of PF has also elected Adam Mathes of Gillette as vice president, Michelle Smith of Gillette as secretary, Greg Smith of Gillette as habitat chair, James Smith of Gillette as youth/education chair and Jaci Mathes of Gillette as treasurer. The chapter will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, May 27th at 7 PM. For more information about the chapter and its upcoming meetings and events, contact Paul Connelly at (810) 614-1672 or via email atcrazie4gsp@yahoo.com.

Wyoming is home to six PF chapters and over 1,000 PF members. Those chapters have historically spent $675,000 to improve Wyoming wildlife habitat, completing 600 habitat projects benefitting over 13,000 acres for wildlife. For more information about Pheasants Forever in Wyoming, to start or join an existing chapter, contact Bob Hix, PF Field Representative in Wyoming at (303) 743-8957 or via email at BHix@pheasantsforever.org.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire