A triumphant Dan Stier of Mina, S.D., at right, holds up the trophy after capturing the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Championship on the Missouri River near Bismarck Sept. 25. Stier's four-day catch of 18 walleyes weighed 69 pounds, 4 ounces, giving him a winning margin of more than 4 pounds and a check for more than $70,000. The circuit's top-40 walleye pros took part in the event. Runnerup was Dean Arnoldussen of Appleton, Wis.
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Field & Stream to honor Sawyer man
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NEW YORK Field & Stream magazine has named Erik Myre of Sawyer a 2011 Hero of Conservation.
Myre, along with five other honorees, will be celebrated at a gala event in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, where each will be presented with a $5,000 grant toward their conservation projects. One honoree will be named Field & Stream's Conservation Hero of the Year and will walk away with a new Toyota Tundra, all made possible by the generosity and support of Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc.
Field & Stream's Heroes of Conservation program is dedicated to honoring individuals involved in grassroots projects to preserve the land, water and wildlife vital to sportsman's pursuits. Myre was profiled in the October issue of Field & Stream and also in two episodes of Field & Stream's HOC TV, available at (www.FieldandStream.com/heroes).
"Hunters and fishermen have never been afraid to roll up their sleeves and get to work in the name of protecting America's wildlife and wild places, and Erik is a great example of that ethos hard at work," said Anthony Licata, Field & Stream editor. "Conservation is and will always be an integral part of hunting and fishing and men and women like Erik are crucial to keeping our traditions alive for generations to come."
Myre established West Dakota Waterfowlers in 2006 to provide hands-on education and promote habitat preservation that would benefit hunters in the community, as well as birds. As the group's chairman, he started a mentored youth waterfowl hunt, which has introduced more than 100 kids to the sport since 2007.
The Heroes of Conservation Awards are open to individuals involved in a hunting- and/or fishing-related conservation project that is well under way or completed. Selections are based on a number of factors, including leadership, commitment, project growth, and results. The sixth annual event is set for the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
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Check your deer license for accuracy
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges deer hunters to find their license and check it for accuracy. In addition, landowners interested in applying for a gratis license are encouraged to submit the application early. It is not possible to process the application the same day; applications are processed in the order received and the license will be mailed out the next day.
Every year the Game and Fish Department's licensing section receives last-minute inquiries from hunters who can't find their license. When that happens, it's difficult to try to get a replacement license in time for the season opener. Another reason to check the license now is to make sure the unit and species is what you thought it should be.
Deer hunters in need of a replacement license can print out a duplicate from the Game and Fish Web site at (gf.nd.gov), or can call 328-6300 to have an application mailed or faxed. The form must be completely filled out and notarized, and sent back in to the department with a fee.
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Activities planned for wildlife refuges
To help celebrate National Wildlife Refuge week, Oct. 9-15, Des Lacs NWR is hosting a "Creatures of the Night" program during a Haunted Hayride Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information or to register groups of 10 or more, contact Jennifer Jewett at Des Lacs NWR at 385-4046, ext. 221.
Audubon NWR is scheduled to host a Halloween Adventure, "The Wild Night Life of the Refuge," Oct. 28. Kids are invited for an evening of fun and learning about the animals that are active at night -- bats, owls, coyotes and creepy crawlers.
Participants are asked to bring a flashlight. Snacks will be provided. Pre-school through grade four will participate from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and grades five through seven from 7 to 9 p.m. Pre-registration is required by calling Audubon NWR at 442-5474, ext. 110.