Crappie USA, Inc. – “America’s Premier National Crappie Fishing Tournament Organization” – returns to Indiana’s Lake Monroe near Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 31. Anglers will be fishing for a seven-fish limit of crappie, which could bring a financial award with the opportunity to advance to the 2010 regional event and the Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic.

A pre-tournament seminar will be held Friday evening at Crowne Plaza, 1710 N. Kinser Pike in Bloomington. Signup will begin at 5 p.m. at the meeting and a National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing will start at 7 p.m. local time. The seminar is open to the public.

The tournament weigh-in will be held Saturday at Cutright Ramp off Indiana State Highway 446 south of Bloomington, beginning at 3 p.m. Local fishing reports state: “Monroe is the big crappie lake right now. People are catching 14- to 16-inch fish east of the causeway.”

Anglers can enter the tournament by filling out and sending in an entry form or by registering on the website at www.crappieusa.com before the deadline. Teams may also enter at the pre-tournament seminar on Friday night. All late entries will be subject to a $20 late entry fee.

American Crappie Assoc. (ACA) membership is required to fish in the tournament and a space is provided on the entry form to become a member. Teams may consist of one or two partners. Teams may have a third partner if the third is under the age of 16.  Pole number limits for three-partner teams will be the same as two-partner teams.

Entry fees in the qualifying tournament are $100 per team in the Amateur Division and $200 in the Semi-Pro Division. There is an optional $10 per team Big Fish Pot.

All participants must be a member of the ACA. Membership is $25 for adults and $10 for spouse and youth memberships. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of Crappie USA.

Congress questions push to ban traditional ammunition

U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has been hearing from many people and organizations about preserving the use of traditional ammunition in national parks. Within the last week, he has also received two letters from members of Congress raising questions about a proposed ban on the use of lead ammunition in parks.

In the first letter, 13 senators outlined the negative impact a ban on traditional ammunition would have on the sportsmen community and conservation in general. The letter specifically raises the issue of lost revenue because of less hunting as a result of the proposed ban, stating, “especially in these difficult economic times, this action will discourage people from hunting and fishing and decrease revenue into the Pittman-Robertson fund that funds state conservation efforts.”

The senators signing the letter were: Republicans John Barrasso (Wyo.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), James E. Risch (Idaho), Jim Bunning (Ky.), Roger F. Wicker (Miss.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.), Robert F. Bennett (Utah), John Thune (S.D.), Jim DeMint (S.C.), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Tom Coburn (Okla.) and David Vitter (La.).

The second letter, which mirrored the points made by the senators, was signed by 11 members of the U.S. House’s Second Amendment Task Force. Members included: Paul C. Broun (R-Ga.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.), Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Travis Childers (D-Miss.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah), John Carter (R-Texas), Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), Steve King (R-Iowa) and Steve Scalise (R-La.).

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has taken a lead in the effort, fully supporting the efforts of the senators and representatives. NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane commented, “This action by the House Second Amendment Task Force, in conjunction with the senators’ letter, focuses attention on the National Park Service (NPS) taking unilateral actions concerning traditional ammunition, and is welcomed by conservation and sportsmen’s groups and the firearms industry.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) also has expressed concern over the decision by the NPS to attempt to ban traditional ammunition in national parks.

“It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that this ban will mean fewer hunters in the field and less money going to conservation,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “The Alliance expects Secretary Salazar to base any decision on the facts as laid forth by professional wildlife managers, the conservation community and the senators and representatives.”

Youth rabbit and squirrel hunt

Participants in the youth rabbit and squirrel hunts to be held at Salamonie Lake on Nov. 7 are reminded to register in advance by contacting Jim Heasley at 765-674-3791.

Participants should meet the property’s office at 7 a.m. Hunters will be in the field for the rabbit hunt until noon. The youth squirrel hunt will follow the free lunch, and instructional sessions regarding game cleaning will be included.

All youth participants are encouraged to have attended and passed a Hunter Education Course and have either a valid Indiana Youth Hunting License or Apprentice License. Information on Hunter Education courses is available at www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/4812.htm
Youngsters can bring their own shotgun or have one provided. Young hunters requiring a shotgun must request one while registering.

Each young hunter will have a “private mentor” to supervise and assist him or her during the hunt. Parents are encouraged to accompany their young hunters, although this is not mandatory.
The lunch will be provided after the morning rabbit hunt and is for all youth, mentors and dog handlers. The event and meals are free for all who attend.

Youth Hunting Licenses cost $7 and will be available at the Salamonie office the day of the hunt. Licenses are also available anytime at www.IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov

Adults wishing to volunteer as dog handlers or mentors must register in advance by calling the same number listed above. Cabela’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, the National Cur and Feist Breeders Assoc., the National Kennel Club and the Indiana Beaglers Alliance will serve as hosts.

The Salamonie Interpretive Center is located in Lost Bridge West Recreation Area, west of Highway 105 in western Huntington County.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.