Here in Coastal Marin and Sonoma County, hunting camp is a family tradition. While we don’t have an abundance of public land, folks still pool their resources and get together to hunt some local ranches in drives of the oak woodlands and brushy canyons..

Another local tradition is the Big buck contests that go on in the local area. The most popular is the Jay Palm Saddle shop contest. Each year after the A zone rifle season has closed, all the entrants get together for a good meal and awards. Click here for photos of the 2009 entrants

For the Bowhunters, the Sonoma County Bowmen will have the first Big buck contest. Members of the club can enter to win fame and a few prizes for their bow-killed bucks. You can get more info at the SCB website

Here is the Link to the Contest. Deadline to enter the SCB contest is July 9th 2010.

GUNNISON, Colo. — Hunters are reminded that over-the-counter with caps licenses for elk and bear will be available starting at 9 a.m., July 13 at Colorado Division of Wildlife offices, License Agent businesses, and by phone or on-line.

New for the 2010 season in the Gunnison Basin are elk licenses that are specific for Game Management Unit 54. These licenses are available for purchase over-the-counter but with caps on the number available. There will be 500 either-sex licenses available on first-come first-served basis. General over-the-counter bull tags are no longer valid in Unit 54 during second season.

Hunters who wish to hunt in this unit during second season are advised to buy their licenses well before the start of the season.

Cow elk over-the-counter with caps licenses also are available in Game Management Units 25 and 26. These units are located north of I-70, approximately between Gypsum and Yampa.

Anyone who wants to hunt bears during the regular rifle season must hold a deer or an elk tag for the same manner of take, the same season and the same unit in which bear will be hunted. To properly manage bear harvest, all bear licenses for Colorado are area specific and limited in quantity.

To buy a license by phone, call 1-800-244-5613, or go the DOW’s web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses.
Hunters are encouraged to go on-line to buy these licenses.

Leftover licenses for all of Colorado go on sale Aug. 10. For more information go to http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/Leftovers/.

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

Hunters who did not draw a big game tag in Nevada’s recently completed main draw still have a chance in the upcoming second draw. The final results of the main draw will be announced by Friday (June 18), along with information on remaining tags. Any tags remaining after the second draw will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Mule deer hunters will find tags remaining in several hunt categories and units. Four tags are available for the resident antlerless any legal weapon depredation hunt (hunt #1101) in hunt units 114, 115 – Late, in northeastern Nevada, while there is one antlered muzzleloader hunt (1371) tag remaining in Units 261-268. Archers who would like to hunt buck mule deer have a chance at 97 antlered longbow hunt (1341) tags, with 67 of those in Area 10 – Early. Resident youth hunters continue to have the best opportunity at second draw tags with 334 tags remaining for the junior mule deer, either sex hunt (1107) in a variety of units throughout the state.

A smattering of tags remain for other big game species. There is one resident antlerless elk muzzleloader hunt (4176) tag in Unit 075 and a total of five antelope, horns longer than ears, longbow hunt tags available in four different hunt unit groups. These antelope tags were remaining nonresident tags that are now available to both resident and nonresident hunters in this remaining tag draw.

Hunters interested in applying for any of these tags can apply online at www.huntnevada.com starting June 18 at 8 a.m. or mail their applications to the Wildlife Administrative Services Office in Fallon. Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Final results of the second draw will be provided by Friday, July 16.

For more information on the second draw or remaining tags call the Wildlife Administrative Services Office at 1-800-576-1020 or look on the web at www.huntnevada.com.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org

Idaho Fish and Game will be gathering public comments on several proposed new rules.
Fish and Game plans a series of regional public open house meetings between June 14 and June 25 to gather public comments on a list of proposed rules. The dates and locations of the meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.

Comments are being sought in four general areas.

1. Proposed rules for big game, upland game would:
” Remove motorized vehicle rule restrictions from units 48 and 57.
” Prohibit shooting upland game from a watercraft.
” Allow the use of sabots in muzzleloader-only hunts.

2. A proposed bonus point system designed to improve odds of unsuccessful controlled hunt applicants in subsequent years, would:
” Apply to all species for which controlled hunts are conducted.
” Apply only to the applicant’s first choice in any drawing.
” Allow hunters who do not wish to participate to opt out.
” Allow hunters to buy a bonus point without applying for that species’ controlled hunts that season.
” Allow hunters to buy a bonus point in the years when rules make them ineligible to apply for certain controlled hunts.
” Cost $4.50 plus a $1.75 vendor fee.

3. Proposed 2011 upland game bird seasons would:
” Extend the forest grouse season through January 31.
” Open the forest grouse season August 30.
” Change the shooting hours for all upland game to begin at 10 a.m. on wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked in the Southwest Region.

4. Proposed changes in the landowner appreciation program would:
” Prohibit the selling, trading, bartering, or marketing of LAP tags.
” Prohibit the use of LAP tags for any commercial activities.
” Restrict landowners who charge a trespass fee from being eligible in LAP.
” Allow all eligible landowners have a chance at one tag before any landowners receive a second tag.
” Establish a one-year waiting period in those LAP hunts that are oversubscribed by more than 2 to 1.
” Exclude “affiliates, management companies, associated entities, wholly- owned subsidiaries, and controlling interests” from being eligible for more than a maximum of two tags per species.
” Allow landowners with 320 to 639 acres of valuable wildlife habitat to be eligible to apply for leftover LAP tags.

These proposed changes and a public comment form also will be available on the Fish and Game Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/. Public meeting times and locations also will be listed at this site as they are announced.

Written comments may be submitted at one of the open-house meetings, at a Fish and Game office or by mail to one of these: Big Game Comments, Bonus Point Comments, Upland Game Comments or LAP Comments c/o Idaho Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707.

The public comment period ends June 28.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider these proposals during a meeting July 7, 8 and 9 at the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg.

The first Super Hunt and Super Hunt Combo drawing this year is set for Tuesday, June 15.

Because of a change in state law, Fish and Game no longer will hold a public drawing. The law doesn’t allow Fish and Game to release the names of license or tag holders without written permission.

Fish and Game will notify winners individually and announce winners who consent to release their names.

The drawing will be for eight elk, eight deer, and eight antelope hunts as well as one moose hunt; one “Super Hunt Combo” entry also will be drawn that will entitle the winner to hunt for one each elk, deer, antelope and moose.

It’s too late to enter the June 15 drawing. But a second drawing will be in mid-August when another “Super Hunt Combo” and entries for two elk, two deer, and two antelope hunts along with one moose hunt will be drawn. The entry period for the second drawing continues through August 11.

Hunters can take an animal or animals on their Super Hunt or Super Hunt Combo tags in addition to any general season or controlled hunt tags they also hold. All other rules of individual hunts apply.

The special drawings began in 2004 as a way to raise money for the Access Yes! program, which helps assure hunter and angler access to and across private lands by compensating willing landowners.

The first entry costs $6; additional entries for the same species cost $4 each when purchased at the same time. Super Hunt Combo entries cost $20 for one; additional entries are $16 when purchased at the same time. Enter at license vendors, all Fish and Game offices, or on the Internet at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/superhunt/, and on the phone at 800-824-3729 or 800-554-8685.

Fill out entry orders and mail them to: Fish and Game License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.

PR: Personal Record. Achieving your fastest time for a particular race or distance. A common goal for runners, particularly those who don’t often place in age group awards.

This race, the Hit the Road Jack 2.2 mile /10k,  I didn’t even consider trying for a PR.  Just seven days before I was sick in bed with a respiratory infection. I had laid off of running for 10 days, and started oral antibiotics. Sunday’s race would be my first run post illness. a PR on the 10K course was out of the question. So I did the next best thing.

I ran with my daughter.

I knew she could cover the 2.2 mile distance since she had finished the 3 mile Petaluma Footrace in 33:20:00 .  When I asked her about her time goal she said “Under 25:00:00 “  an 11:21 pace per mile,

My sixty three year old mother was going to be Kelsey’s chaparone on the short course, and the representative for the Petaluma Fitness Bootcamp.   She drove us and we arrived at the race with plenty of time to spare.   She told us she would see us at the finish, and to run our own race, as we headed over to the start.  

We joined the throng of over 500 runners at the start, among the strollers, and leashed dogs it was tough to weave in and out as we overtook walkers and talkers.  Since this race benefitted the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation there were also a large number of kids entered . 

In regards to kids running….There were a large number of junior runners who would sprint for 200 yards and stop in the middle of the road to catch their breath.   I nearly trampled a number of these “stop and go” runners in the first half mile.  My daughter was one of them.   So I tried to counsel her to find a pace, and if she had to slow down to get over to the right hand side.  (We are still working on that concept..)

But I found I could relax as I ran along with her.  She set the pace.  I asked her if she wanted me to give her a heads up when we were close to the finish.  She said 200 yards.  At that point she poured on the gas and I had to put some pep in my step to keep up with her.  We crossed the finish line at 24:31 and 24:32, with her’s as the faster time. 

Kelsey starts her "kick" for the finish.

Probably my favorite race photo so far.

This was HER race, No doubt.

Not 3 minutes later we watched “Granny” with a laser beam focus charge through the finish.  She never heard us cheering her on…She was intent on the finish. 

Mom’s finish time was a blistering 27:35!  Good enough for a 6th place in her age group.  She obliterated her 3 mile race pace by nearly 8 seconds!  Even with the 3X larger field in her age group she was still in the top 15%

Kelsey was middle of the pack for her age group.  Not bad for no training prior.  She has already requested to enter the Fitch Mountain Footrace next Sunday.  You can Bet I’ll be there with her…

I needed more running shirts so I signed up for a 5 mile and a 5 K race a week apart. This was a Family affair for both of the races.

The 5 miler also had a 3 mile option that I signed up my 2 oldest girls for (12&9). They Started 10 minutes after us 5 milers left the line. We ran an extra 2 mile loop before we rejoined the 3 milers and finished at the same finish line. The wager with my kids, and 63 year old mother was whether I would be able to complete the 5 mile race before they finished the 3 mile course.

It was mid 70-’s at the start and we ran a bike path along the Petaluma River. I found myself feeing fatigued at about 3 miles when I would normally be “hitting my stride” in a longer run. (Note to self – do more speed work).

At mile 3.5 I got my second wind and we had rejoined the 3 mile racers. I caught my mother who looked a little rough (sorry MOM!) about then. About a half mile ahead of her I shouted to my 12 year old as I caught up to her. She tried to stay ahead of me for a quarter mile, but I overtook her quickly.

At this point, I heard footsteps behind me as I glanced back and saw a familiar shape. Darryl Beardall, a 72 year old member of Empire Runners was gaining on me. He had beaten me in a 10 mile trail race 2 years prior and I wasn’t going to let it happen again so I kicked it in to high gear for the last half mile. The snapping and popping of Darryl’s artificial hip became fainter slightly so I knew I had a couple steps on him as we picked off runners through the home stretch.

I arrived at the finish line to a stack of finishers in the chute that extended out across the line. I felt a tap on my elbow and there was my 9 year old with a silly grin. Somewhere in the last part of the race I had just edged ahead of her, since she finished right behind Darryl and I.

Final results, all of us were pretty much middle of the pack, but my MOTHER took second in her Age group!

Now before you crucify me on nearly getting beaten by a 72 year old man, read up on the gent…..

http://www.empirerunners.org/halloffame/DarrylBeardall.pdf

So Mom said she wanted to do the 5k to benefit the hospital, the next week….

So I headed down to the local shoe store to sign up Mom and I for the 5 K at the Country club (This was an Adults only Affair) It was scheduled for Friday night.

After a hectic workday, I quickly threw on my running clothes and headed to the Country club 15 minutes before the start of the race. Looking around I could see this race had attracted the elite runners of the area. There was one team dressed in 80′s regalia, complete with headbands and knee high fishnet stockings….These folks were SERIOUS…

Even Clo the Cow was entered. (So I wasn’t the Fattest or Whitest)

We took off at the start for the first of 2 loops, in a mad scramble, and I don’t think I PURPOSELY stepped on any of the walkers who lined up in front, but It was a “charlie foxtrot” for the first 500 yards. I was about 12th when we came to the first turn, and I saw the Lead pack coming back towards me. They had run off course, so I was like 3rd for 15 seconds, then they blew by me as we climbed the first hill.

I was right at 8 min. at the first mile marker. I was shooting to beat my PR of 26:00 in a 5 k. I thought I was on track to do that. When I wheezed my way up the hill before the second lap and saw 12:33 on the clock, and heard someone say I was in front of the 1st place female that I knew I went out too fast. When we hit the second hill, the first place woman passed me and said “C’mon dude! I was following you!” At that point I knew I’d been “Chicked” . In the next quarter mile I was passed by a whole peleton of 20-40 year olds who actually used race strategy.

At that point I settled into a pace that was more sustainable and began to feel better as I lapped the walkers . “Well I won’t be last” was my mantra as I launched snot rockets in disgust.

I sounded like a windbroke nag as I crossed the finish line after 29:23 and about 255 feet of elevation gain. Nearly 3 1/2 minutes slower than my goal. At the line the volunteer handed me a tongue depressor stick with “24″ written on it. I handed it to the next gal in line recording bib numbers and went to claim my post race beer.

My mom came in afterwards with a big smile and exclaimed “boy that was tough!”

I enjoyed a couple of micro brews and a pasta dinner before I headed for home. I wore my Tshirt and didn’t think much about the race except as a training run, until I got an email from the race director with the placings.

Turns out I had taken second in my age group. At least I wasn’t last!

Mom was middle of the pack on the hilly course and was already planning on how she was going to do “hill training before her next event!

KREMMLING, Colo – A women-only beginner fly-fishing and shotgun seminar in the Kremmling area on June 26 has been opened to women statewide. This clinic is designed for women who are interested in learning safe firearm handling, shooting skills and fly-fishing. No experience or equipment required. The clinic begins at 8:30am and will conclude mid-afternoon.
There is a $15 charge that will cover lunch.

For details or to register, please contact Kris Holinka or Sarah Reachard at (970) 725-6200. Space is limited and the clinic is expected to fill quickly.