IOLA, WI – Longtime hunter, outspoken conservationist and legendary rock star Ted Nugent will be the first guest on Wednesday’s inaugural “Deer Talk Now,” a live talk show about whitetail deer from Deer & Deer Hunting.

Nugent has hunted for more than 50 years throughout the United States and Canada for whitetail deer, bear, wild boar and other species.

Deer Talk Now will air each Wednesday at 12 p.m. (CST), hosted by Brad Rucks and Dan Schmidt, editor of Deer & Deer Hunting magazine. Deer Talk Now will feature special guests, questions from viewers and discussions about new hunting gear, habitat, hunting tactics, deer biology, hunter ethics, issues and more.

Nugent’s deep passion for hunting and the outdoors along with his outspoken nature have combined to place him at the forefront of the hunting public. Some appreciate that and others do not, but Nugent never sways from his strong convictions.

“My critics are mostly jealous because I am my own boss and have created an amazing quality of life for my family and myself through incredible hard work and dedication,” Nugent told Deer & Deer Hunting. “You find someone who has a problem with me and your are looking at an ignorant, cheap person.

“My supporters are legion, and the finest Americans there are. I am constantly invited to take terminally ill children on their last hunts, and to host the heroic wounded warriors of the U.S. military on hunting trips around the world. The absolute best of the best are on my side, so my detractors are exposed for the fools that they are. I couldn’t feel better about my real reputation and position in life.”

Originally from Detroit, Nugent’s vivid stage presentation and memorable guitar talents earned him the nickname “Motor City Madman.” For more than five decades he’s garnered multi-platinum hits and worldwide fame starting with the Amboy Dukes, following on through his successful solo career and then in the 1990s with Damn Yankees.

Nugent has released more than 35 albums since 1967 and sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. He schedules his tour dates for spring and summer, often performing for military personnel, but leaves autumn and winter open for hunting. Nugent currently is beginning his 53rd tour and will be performing throughout the United States this summer.

For more information on “Deer Talk Now,” please go to www.deeranddeerhunting.com/deer-talk-now

About Deer & Deer Hunting
Deer and Deer Hunting gives outdoor enthusiasts who hunt whitetail deer must-know information, from deer behavior to rut predictions. The in-house editorial staff and freelance contributors are the nation’s top experts, helping both beginning sportsmen and sportswomen and seasoned veterans alike learn more about the wild game they pursue. The brand’s success spawned one of the most-watched outdoors shows on television, Deer & Deer Hunting TV, aired on NBC Sports Outdoors. In addition to two new shows, Land of Whitetail aired on The Pursuit Channel and Destination Whitetail airing this June on Sportsman Channel, Deer and Deer Hunting also produces groundbreaking software programs, numerous books and countless educational media.

BRIGHTON, Colo. – If you’ve ever wanted to try the tranquil and picturesque waters at Barr Lake State Park in a canoe, the American Canoe Association will provide a certified instructor to teach the basic skills and safety techniques on three weekends this summer. The park will supply everything else that you need for the class, including the canoe, a personal floatation device and paddles.

The canoe classes will be offered on Saturdays, May 26, June 2 and June 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. To register, call the Nature Center at (303) 659-6005. Youngsters, 12 to 15 years old, must be accompanied by a participating adult. And 16 to 18 year olds must have an adult permission form signed on the morning of the class. Class size is limited to 10 people and there is a $15 non-refundable fee per person.

An annual park pass or a $7 day pass is required for each vehicle entering the park and may be purchased at the entrance station. Adverse weather conditions, including waves and wind, may result in abbreviated or canceled canoe lesson. Funding for the class is provided by the Federal Boat Safety Program, which allows the park to keep the fees for the canoe lessons affordable for participants.

Enjoy the calm waters that are a peaceful, relaxing haven for sailing and canoeing. While boating, enjoy mountain views, jumping fish and waterfowl. Barr Lake is restricted to non-motorized activities and motorboats with 10 horsepower or less. There is no boating on the southern half of the lake because it is a wildlife refuge and home to over 350 species of birds. Great blue herons and double-crested cormorants are some of the birds nesting along the lakeshore. Bald eagles are currently feeding their two young. Western grebes, pelicans and wood ducks are a few of the waterfowl spotted on the lake. For current park conditions, or to find out more about Barr Lake State Park, visit the Web at www.parks.state.co.us.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://parks.state.co.us. To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us

Contact:
Michelle Seubert, (303) 659-6005, michelle.seubert@state.co.us
Deb Frazier, (303) 866-3203, ext. 4342, deb.frazier@state.co.us

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved big game hunting license numbers on Thursday for the upcoming fall hunting seasons. Agency staff utilized herd population estimates to recommend reductions in license numbers for mule deer, elk and pronghorn while recommending increases in licenses to manage growing populations of moose and black bears. According to a 2008 study, big game hunting in Colorado provides more than $430 million per year in economic impact to the state and supports 4,660 jobs in the state.

Colorado is a national leader in big-game hunting opportunity. This year, Colorado will issue more than 240,000 limited licenses for the state’s ‘big three’ species – elk, deer and pronghorn. Wildlife managers and biologists around the state recommended the issuance of 139,461 limited elk licenses, 79,800 limited deer licenses and 23,862 pronghorn licenses for the 2012 fall seasons.

Statewide, mule deer licenses declined 5.8 percent from 2011.

“Mule deer populations are being intensively monitored and we’ve seen some declines, especially in the western part of the state,” explained Andy Holland, Statewide Big Game Manager. “Between severe winters, increased development, habitat decline, and migration corridor fragmentation, most western states are seeing declines in mule deer populations. We adjusted license numbers accordingly.”

In addition to issuing nearly 140,000 limited elk licenses, Colorado plans to issue an unlimited number of over-the-counter bull elk licenses in the archery, 2nd rifle and 3rd rifle seasons. The number of unlimited licenses available makes Colorado the top destination in the U.S. for elk hunting opportunity. The 2.2 percent decline in the number of limited elk tags offered this year is mostly related to elk populations reaching management objectives after several years of intentional efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reduce elk damage on private lands. Despite the elk license number reduction, Colorado remains the destination state for elk hunters, offering more elk licenses by far than any other state.

Black bear hunting license numbers will be increased in the state after biologists determined that the statewide population is larger than previously believed. New estimates show that approximately 16,000 to 18,000 black bears live in the state.

“The emergence and increased affordability of things like DNA, tooth cementum analysis and GPS tracking collars have given us new tools to know that Colorado’s current black bear population is robust and larger than previously believed,” said Jerry Apker, Carnivore Biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Apker further explained to the Commission that the agency’s black bear knowledge exceeds some other species because every hunter-harvested bear in Colorado is required to be checked by Parks and Wildlife personnel and significant historical harvest information about black bears is maintained by the agency. The historical harvest information coupled with new technology led to the increased population estimate and the increased number of hunting licenses approved for this coming fall.

In other business, the Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to deny a petition that would have allowed rock climbing on property at the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery. Commissioners based the decision on concerns about an active golden eagle nest in the immediate area and concerns regarding diversion of wildlife funds, safety issues, parking problems and potential damage to sensitive hatchery and water equipment in the area. The Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery was built in 1955 and was the largest trout hatchery in the world at that time. The hatchery raised about 3.7 million fish last year and is responsible for about 40 percent of the catchable trout in the state hatchery system.

Commissioners also approved regulations to grant military veterans and active duty members of the military free entrance to all state parks on Veteran’s Day each Nov. 11. The Commission ruling makes permanent the previous tradition of the former Parks Board passing a “free day” for veterans and active duty service members each year.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is honored to be able to support our service members with this action,” said Ken Brink, Assistant Director for Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board, appointed by the governor, which sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. For the remainder of 2012, the commission will travel to Craig, Sterling, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Durango, Yuma and Colorado Springs.

For more news about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Contact:
Randy Hampton (720) 398-7912