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20 Critical Water-Related Conservation Projects Boosted By New Funding

National Wild Turkey Federation www.nwtf.org

The NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife initiative kicks off another year of vital restoration work in and around water corridors by funding 20 conservation projects throughout nine of the initiative’s 10 focal states in 2023. The NWTF is contributing $225,000 to these critical projects, which will be leveraged with partners to more than $5.3 million this year alone...

“We are beyond excited to keep the momentum going after a productive first year of Waterways for Wildlife projects,” said Jared McJunkin, NWTF Director of Conservation Operations for the central region. “Our average match rate for projects in 2023 was 17.8:1, underscoring our partners’ investment in this critical work...

Waterways for Wildlife addresses urgent conservation needs in riparian ecosystems, or areas situated along creeks, streams and rivers, which are magnets for wild turkeys and many other wildlife species. Bridging the gap between water quantity and the quality of available water, these essential ecosystems store water and recharge aquifers; likewise, the plants, soils and wetlands associated with them serve to filter pesticides, herbicides and sediment before they travel into downstream water supplies. In short, they are imperative for a healthy ecosystem.

However, many of these riparian habitats are in poor condition due to various causes – such as increased water demands, disrupted floodplains and changes in land use – that have altered their natural cycle and impacted the health of these essential communities. Through the Waterways for Wildlife Initiative, the NWTF is committed to reversing these trends and implementing work to improve riparian health for wild turkeys and the many other land-dwelling and aquatic species that rely on these ecosystems. The initiative began in 2022, and significant headway was made through 14 shovel-ready projects, impacting 7,677 acres of wildlife habitat and nearly 80 stream miles.

Over the next nine years, the NWTF seeks to raise $10 million in private funding and leverage $40 million in matching partner funds to improve 75,000 acres of wildlife habitat along 1,500 linear miles of waterways in the Great Plains landscape...

As work begins, the NWTF will highlight the 20 new projects on NWTF.org in the coming months.

For more information about applying for funding through the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative, contact McJunkin at jmcjunkin@nwtf.net.

Two Men Sentenced To Poaching Mule Deer Buck In Custer County

Idaho Fish & Game https://idfg.idaho.gov

Acall to Idaho’s poaching hotline helped officers detect and solve crime.

On Saturday October 29, 2022, a mule deer buck was taken illegally in Unit 36 near Rankin Creek, a tributary of the Yankee Fork Salmon River near Stanley. The general deer season closed five days earlier on October 24.

The case began when a witness called Idaho’s Citizens Against Poaching Hotline on Sunday, October 30, reporting that he encountered two out-of-state hunters that had taken a large, 3-by-4 mule deer buck the previous day. According to the witness, he told the shooter that the deer season was closed and that he had better turn himself into authorities. The shooter did not turn himself in.

The witness provided critical details on the suspects, vehicle involved, and location of the incident. Fish and Game conservation officers located the kill site, collected DNA, and found an unspent bullet dropped at the scene.

The bullet later helped confirm which of the two suspects was the shooter. Based on the witness description of the men and vehicle, officers were able to narrow down a list of suspects. Through investigations in Idaho and in California, both suspects were identified, interviewed, and eventually confessed to taking the mule deer after the season had closed. Additionally, the shooter possessed a Unit 39 deer tag, not a Unit 36 tag. The man that killed the deer took steps to cover it up by filing on his harvest report that he did not harvest.

After coordinating with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the two men were charged and appeared in Custer County Court recently. Carlos Rodrigues received a three-year hunting license revocation and approximately $2,500 in fines. Tony Solorio received a three-year hunting license revocation and $1,530 in fines.

This case demonstrates the importance of public involvement in catching poachers stealing wildlife from Idaho citizens.

“Without the witness providing critical details, this case would likely not have been detected, let alone, solved,” said Austin Dupuis, IDFG conservation officer based in Stanley. “License plate numbers are extremely important, as well as the location, time, and a description of the suspects.”

Persons with any information about suspected poaching are encouraged to call the CAP hotline at (800) 632-5999, report online, or contact their local Fish and Game office...