ATTENTION ARROWHEADS

An indoor/outdoor archery facility is being proposed and there are three potential locations:
The Black River Wildlife Management Area in Chester Township, the Berkshire Valley WMA in Roxbury Township or the South Branch WMA in Hunterdon County.
A public meeting on the proposal will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 7 at the Pequest Trout Hatchery.
You can make written suggestions on the project up to Sept. 7.
Write to:
Paul Ritter
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife
26 Rt. 173 West
Hampton, NJ 08827

BIG NORTHERN

A friend sent an e-mail with a photo of a 45-inch Northern pike recently caught out of the the Passaic River. The fish was released however and there was no info on weight, girth, etc.
The record Northern is 30 pounds 8!/2 ounces caught in 2009 from Pompton Lake.

BEAR ATTACK

Some of the "animal rights" people are just plain loonies. a New Hampshire woman was mauled by a black bear with gouges and cuts on both of her arms requiring 25 stitches when attacked by a black bear while walking her dog.
The NH fish and game department wants to capture and kill (euthanize) the animal, but a local "bear rehabilitator" said, "it doesn't sound like a killer bear....rather than just shooting the bear it would be a good idea to take the time and make sure there's a good reason"
What, track down the sow and ask her what made her do it?
Fish and Game officials say they can't take the chance the bear will attack someone again.
That makes more sense.
Meanwhile there were bear sightings in Winslow Township, NJ, again, and in Vineland police, animal control and fish and wildlife are trying to capture as many as three bears.
On the feathered front, six wild turkey poults were rescued from a water drain in Millville.
They seemed to have gotten separated from the mother and confused, but all were fine when removed from the storm drain.

WHAT A WHOPPER

This fluke wasn't a doormat - more like a throw rug. A 17 pounder, three feet long, was caught from shore by Phil Todd of Egg Harbor Township when fishing with his 10-year-old son according to the Press of Atlantic City. The Press "Other than Boat" contest previous record was a 16-pounder caught in 1973.

GROUP PROGRAMS AT PEQUEST

Now is the best time to schedule a summer, fall or early winter program at the Pequest hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center says Fish & Wildlife. This a year-round program f or schools and organized groups in grades pre-K to 12. For more info on these programs or to schedule one - held Monday through Friday rain or shine - go to www.njfishandwildlife.com/peqprog.htm. If that doesn't work try the search box at www.njfishandwildlife.com

BOAT INSPECTION INFO

Local Division 6 of the USCG Auxiliary inspected more than 400 boats during May - Safe Boating Month - according to Dave Kirk - PA Officer. He said 85 per cent of the initial inspections met both federal and NJ safety regs.
Records show there were eight boating fatalities in NJ and 22 in Pa. last year. Nationally there were 758 deaths with more than 230 alcohol related.
Division 6 will continue to hold inspections during the summer. Boaters should contact Dirk at dkirk820@aol.com to set up an inspection.

BACK IN THE GAME

Grenloch Lake in Gloucester County is now open for fishing and other water-related recreation.
The popular Washington County lake had been closed since a fuel spill fouled the waters back in January. Some 26,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from a storage tank at a NJ Transit bus facility near the water.
Recent surveys since the cleanup showed no surface or fish analysis showed any contaminants present.
Good news for the local folks this summer season.