Welcome to Volume 2 of the Outdoorsmen Forum Digest.

The purpose of this Digest is to help keep Alberta's outdoorsmen and women up-to-date on issues and events as they happen in Alberta related to our outdoor pursuits. From breaking news to press releases from Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta's outdoor stakeholders, and special events, special deals and a regular forum update, we hope you enjoy the Outdoorsmen Forum Digest.

If you wish to be removed from our email list you can opt out at the bottom of this page but we hope you enjoy this digest and take the opportunity to stay further in touch with Alberta’s outdoor community.

INTERNET LICENSING COMING SOON
An online licensing system for Alberta’s hunters and anglers is finally here! Starting sometime this May, www.albertarelm.com will allow outdoorsmen and women the ability to buy and print out at home their fishing licences, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The application for and purchase of WIN cards should also be available at the same time.

It is also expected that hunters will be able to purchase their hunting licences and draw applications at albertarelm by June 3rd of this year as well. Watch for more information to be available in this year’s draw booklet that will be mailed out in May and keep checking the albertarelm website for further updates.

The Walleye Draw is growing in popularity.

The Outdoorsmen Forum has again been blazing hot with conversation. April has seen several topics rise to the top of the heap, creating some very interesting discussion.

On the General Discussion Forum mmmbucks started the thread “Ram Killed” and at the time of this writing it had received more than 3,500 views with 151 posts made. It seems mmmbucks was disappointed in watching a video on the internet where a ram was killed in the name of subsistence hunting. The thread is now about about, well, you guessed it, native hunting rights - a topic that always gets a lot of attention. Leading the way in the conversation so far have been stubblejumper, ABwhitetail, and brownbomber.

Over on the Hunting Discussion Forum broadfieldpoint started the thread, “So...hows the bear action so far?” To date the thread has had nearly 9500 views and 175 posts. The conversation is about, well, bear hunting of course! It is that time of year and many are out setting up baits or spot and stalk hunting and looking to put their tag on a big ‘ole Alberta bruin. Leading the way are broadfieldpoint, james_9, jaybull and Albertabowhunter.

Also on the Hunting Discussion Forum the thread “.270 cal” started by walsh is receiving much attention. Walsh wanted to know if the .270 would be a good sized rifle for big game like moose, deer and elk. Of course when the .270 comes up in discussion for larger types of game there is always going to be debate. So far the thread has seen more than 1200 views with Mountain Guy, stubblejumper, raised by wolves and Grizzly Adams leading the conversation.

On the Fishing Discussion Forum the thread “Walleye Draw Results” started by JohninAB has received over 1000 views. It appears that for the first time some AO Board Members weren’t lucky in getting drawn for walleye at Pigeon Lake. Proves that the walleye draw is growing in popularity as more and more are taking advantage of the new management practice being used on a few lakes in this province. BIGBADJOHN, .270fan, SNAPfisher and Donny Bear have been leading the way on this thread. Looks like SRD may be planning on using this management tool on other lakes in future years as well.

On the Archery Discussion Forum the “Let’s See Your Bow!” thread started by Lethalconnection is gathering momentum with well over 1800 views and some very nice photos.

From last month the “Lease Land” thread that was so popular has come to its conclusion. If you remember, Five0 was in the middle of a dispute over access onto leased land with the lease holder. It appears that a decision was made and Five0 was rewarded for his hard work with SRD awarding him the right to access the land for 5 consecutive days during hunting season. Shows that sometimes the system does work!

ALBERTA HUNTERS OF THE YEAR
Deadline for entries to the 2007 Alberta Hunter of the Year contest is June 1st. Make sure you get your entries in. Last year's whitetail winner scored just 177 4/8 and we know there were a heck of a lot bigger deer taken in 2006. Prizes aren't huge ($500 for first overall) but you get your mug in the 2008 regulations and bragging rights around the campfire for the year. It is also an opportunity to showcase some of Alberta's best animals.

You can read more about the contest on page 88 of the 2007 Alberta Hunting Regulations or contact Sports Scene Publications at 780-413-0331.

2007 ALBERTA ANGLERS OF THE YEAR
Sportscene Publications Inc. of Edmonton recently announced the winners of the annual Alberta Angler of the Year contest when they released the 2008 Government of Alberta Sportfishing Regulations in mid March. Following is our winners for 2007.

CHAMPION – RAINBOW Richard Olson of Champion, Alberta is our rainbow trout winner for 2007. Richard’s’ rainbow was caught in the McVinnie Reservoir and weighed in at 12 pounds. Richard’s fish measured 30 inches and had a 17 1/8 inch girth.	OVERALL CHAMPION – PIKE Bill Gauthier of Banff, Alberta is our northern pike and champion for 2007. Bill’s 49-inch pike was 7.6% longer than the current Alberta record for northern pike. Bill’s fish was caught at Newell Lake and weighed in at 30 lbs 8 ozs with a 22 1/4 inch girth.	CHAMPION – WALLEYE Russ Erickson of Trochu, Alberta is our 2007 Walleye winner. Russ’ walleye was caught (and released) in the Red Deer River and measured in at 34 3/4 inches in length. Russ’ walleye weighed 12 lbs 8 oz. and had a 18 3/4 inch girth.

All three winners need to be congratulated on having great 2007 fishing seasons. You can also see their photos in the 2008 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations where there are also the rules and an entry form on page 92 for the 2008 Alberta Angler of the Year Contest. Get your entries in and you and a friend could be winging your way to a fly-in lake with Mikisew Sport Fishing valued at $2500.00 as well as $300.00 spending money.

ALBERTA REGULATIONS ONLINE
A stand-alone website has been created as an access point for Alberta's hunting, fishing and trapping regulations, as well as the Hunting Special Draws Booklet and Special Walleye Draws. This new access point simplifies things and gives you a portal from one location.

You can access the regulations here: www.albertaregulations.ca

CALENDAR OF OUTDOOR EVENTS
For several years now the Hunting For Tomorrow Foundation (HFTF) have provided a Calendar of Events highlighting events that may be of importance to Alberta’s outdoorsmen and women. If you are interested in an event or having your event listed you can visit the HFTF at www.huntingfortomorrow.com/HFTF_Home/Calender%20of%20Events.htm

SRD GOES FACEBOOK
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development has started a Respect the Land in Alberta Facebook page. SRD is the first Alberta government department to use Facebook as a communications tool to promote responsible recreation and stewardship to protect Alberta's natural resources. The site is provided by the Government of Alberta and is meant to help spread the word about the importance of respecting Alberta's public lands. You can sign up at www.facebook.com/pages/Respect-the-Land-in-Alberta/29106485337

ALBERTA TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION 2008
This year the 35th Annual ATA convention is being held on June 20 and 21 in Grande Prairie. For more information visit the ATA website at www.albertatrappers.com/services/servicesConvention.html

YOUTH HUNTER EDUCATION CAMP
The camp is open to all boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17. The YHEC is a five-day event of fun and learning activities. Experts will be sharing their know-how and providing instruction in the Alberta Conservation and Hunter Education Program and the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. For more information www.huntingfortomorrow.com/youth_files/2008%20YHEC%20Camp%203.pdf

15th OUTDOOR WOMEN'S PROGRAM
Join hundreds of other women for up to 5 days of learning, camaraderie, fun and begin to master the
outdoors. Women of all ages are encouraged to experience, explore, and develop an understanding of the natural world through over 23 different hands-on programs.

You can learn more about this program at www.huntingfortomorrow.com/women_files/OWS%202008%20Program.pdf