Show is hunter’s pet peeve

If you own a dog as I do and you buy quality pet food for the pooch, wouldn’t you like to know who your friends are in the pet food industry?

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance passes along the word that the Iams Co., maker of Iams and Eukanuba pet foods, has joined forces with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest anti-hunting organization.

Iams is sponsoring Pet Fest America, a series of animal shows across the country, and the Alliance says HSUS developed the shows, which debuted in 2003 and will continue through this spring.

Bud Pidgeon, president of the Sportsmen’s Alliance, said, “Sportsmen, and in particular sporting dog owners, understand the threat HSUS poses to hunting, field trialing and other activities.” Pidgeon wants the Iams Co. to know this.

In the past, other companies — including General Mills, Accor Hotels, Pet Safe, Sears and Ace Hardware — ended relationships with the animal rights organization after receiving protests from American hunters and anglers. Yes, anglers have become increasingly aware that the next big step to be taken by the various animal rights groups is the outlawing of recreational fishing.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance recommends that hunters and fishermen contact Iams to let them know how they feel about companies aligning themselves with anti-hunting groups like HSUS. You can write Jeffery P. Ansell, The Iams Co., 7250 Poe Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45414, or phone 937/898-7387, toll-free 800/675-3849.

The Alliance’s senior vice president, Rick Story, also alerts bear hunters who visit Maine, a state with a fine population of black bears. Story says that since the anti-hunters continually have failed to stop bear hunting through legislative maneuvers, they now will try to do it by way of the ballot box.

In response, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance organized a National Bear Hunting Defense Task Force that will work with the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) and other conservation organizations to defeat an anti-bear hunting voter initiative.

Story points out it will cost nearly $750,000 to run a successful initiative campaign in Maine. The funds would be used to educate the public about bear hunting and the sportsman’s role in conservation. The bear hunting task force already has contributed $40,000 for the campaign.

“This issue is one that should concern sportsmen across the nation,” Story said. “If the antis triumph, it could eventually lead to the end of all bear hunting through the initiative process.”

Organizations that want to join the effort can phone the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance at 614/888-4868 or e-mail info@USSPORTSMEN.org.

Calling all trout anglers — If you have a home computer and you want to know when and where Maryland and Virginia will stock trout in various streams and lakes, the Maryland Web site www.dnr.state.md.us will get you a detailed stocking chart. When the Web page opens, click on the Fisheries link and follow the trail.

Virginia trout fans can see a county-by-county trout stocking schedule by going to www.dgif.state.va.us and moving the mouse to the trout stocking link. Virginia shows where it stocked last week, so you can slip on your hip boots and get going but be sure to have your regular 2004 fishing permit and additional trout license.

In the case of Virginia, I had a most pleasant experience purchasing a nonresident freshwater fishing license directly on the dgif.state.va.us site. It was user-friendly and within minutes of filling in some required address information and a credit card number, I was able to print out my own license. No waiting for the mailman, no visiting an agent or tackle shop. It was great!

EVENTS

Maryland Bowhunters meet — Sunday, noon to 2 p.m., MacroTech store, Glen Burnie, Md. Macrotech will be open 10 a.m. to noon for shooting on its indoor range or for shopping. The bowhunters will discuss plans for 2004. Information: 800/434-0811.

Capital Sportsmen’s Show — Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 at the Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Va. Live deer displays, retrieving dogs, fishing seminars, casting pool, 3-D archery contest, Old Dominion Fly Fishing Show with fly tackle and specialty boats, conventional tackle, fishing guides and electronic equipment. Free gun locks will be given away at the show to promote home safety. Admission is $9 ($3 for children under 12; under 5 free.) Information: www.osegsportsmens.com.

Saltwater Sportsman seminar — Feb. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Annapolis High School’s Performing Arts Theater, 2700 Riva Road. A six-hour seminar on where and how to catch fish, valuable tips and fishing techniques, local and national anglers, on-stage demonstrations and the latest tackle. There will be visual teaching aids, closed circuit TV and door prizes. The $45 ticket includes a subscription to Saltwater Sportsman magazine and six hours of instruction from a regional pro. Registration: 800/448-7360.

Bass fishing flea market — Feb. 7, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hillendale Firehouse, 13511 Hillendale Drive, Dale City, Va. New and used fishing tackle. Admission: $2; under 12 free.

CCA/Southern Maryland Winter barbecue — Feb. 21, 6 p.m., at the new Izaak Walton League Hall, 4200 Gardiner Road, Waldorf, Md. The Southern Maryland chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association invites the public to join in its annual fund-raiser winter barbecue. Cost: $30 a person (includes an annual membership in the CCA, a $25 value). Information: Donald Gardiner, 301/645-3323 or 301/843-3719.

Fly Fishers buy, sell, swap meet — Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Davidsonville Recreation Center. It is the annual Freestate Fly Fishers buy, sell and swap meet. (weather date: Feb. 28.) Members and nonmembers are invited. Fly fishing equipment can be purchased for pennies on the dollar. Information: Mike Price, 410/320-0080.

Wilderness first aid — March 6-7. Alexandria. The 18-hour course includes classroom study as well as hands-on practice and results in a two-year certification. The cost is $160. Registration, information: 703/836-8905; wfa.net.

• Look for Gene Mueller’s Outdoors column Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, only in The Washington Times. E-mail: gmueller@washingtontimes.com