For the fifteenth consecutive year, the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend Committee, led by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), will offer a full weekend of free fishing at family-friendly events hosted across Ontario. Canadian citizens do not require a licence to fish in Ontario waters during this weekend, however all other fishing regulations apply. The province-wide event runs during National Fishing Week (July 5 through 13).

More than thirty college and university summer students will converge on Trent University in Peterborough on June 23rd, and 24th to learn all they can about alien threats to Ontario's environment, and what they can do to prevent their spread. They are registered for a workshop hosted by the Invading Species Awareness Program, a partnership of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (O.M.N.R.).

The students are employed for the summer with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Ministry of Natural Resources, conservation authorities, and non-government organizations.

The Township of Galway-Cavendish-Harvey will be holding a public meeting on Monday June 16, 2008 beginning at 6:30 pm. The meeting will cover ATV Use on Township roads as well as Sunday Gun Hunting. The meeting will take place at the Municipal Office at 701 County Rd #36, Box 820, RR#3, Bobcaygeon, ON

(TORONTO, May 20, 2008) - Atlantic salmon are known to be able to withstand the upstream battle when they return to their home streams, and now they are also successfully battling to return to Ontario. Atlantic salmon disappeared from Lake Ontario by the late 1800s because of the degradation of their nursery and spawning habitats in streams and the construction of dams and mills. Today, over 30 organizations are working together to bring back wild populations of this native species to Lake Ontario, one of the largest freshwater conservation projects in North America.

As promised by the Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.), there will be a fall wild turkey season in designated parts of Ontario this year. Changes to regulations pertaining to wild turkey in the Open Seasons-Wildlife section under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, were finalized on May 15 and are now in force. The move had been expected, as the fall hunt was proposed in the Wild Turkey Management Plan, which was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (E.B.R.) for public comment in February.

Thanks to the efforts of the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program (L.O.A.S.R.P.), the Atlantic salmon is making a comeback in Lake Ontario, after an absence of more than one hundred years. On May 28, the L.O.A.S.R.P. will celebrate stocking ONE MILLION Atlantic salmon into Lake Ontario. The celebration and stocking will take place on the banks of the Credit River at the Belfountain Conservation Area in Belfountain. The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources, will attend and will assist in the release of salmon fry into the Credit River.

In 2008 the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program will have five summer positions for returning full-time students between 15 and 30 years of age. These positions are suitable for college or university students in environment or biology fields. The positions and their locations are available on the O.F.A.H. website.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is currently searching for hard working motivated individuals to assist with our Invading Species Awareness Program. Currently we have summer positions available in Espanola/Manitoulin, Kenora, Pembroke and Peterborough. The deadline for applications is Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 5:00 pm. Please visit the website for details on how to apply for one of these positions.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the largest nonprofit fish and wildlife conservation based organization in Ontario, with 83,000 members and 655 member clubs from all backgrounds and walks of life, believes that the release of a report by the Ontario Human Rights Commission yesterday, which focuses on the harassment of Asian anglers, reinforces the need for increased enforcement of the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act which states that it is an offense to harass any angler or hunter while fishing or hunting, regardless of race or ethnicity.

For thousands of anglers in Ontario, May means one thing—walleye. In most of the province, walleye season opens during one of the first three Saturdays in May. In parts of Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario, (Zones 14 and 20), the season is already underway. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) encourages all anglers to take the time before heading out on the water, to ensure that they are aware of the new fishing regulations that may affect them. This past January, the Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) began implementing new provincial fishing regulations, a substantial change from the previous system. One of the major shifts is a move to Fisheries Management Zones from divisions. Anglers should familiarize themselves with their zone regulations as well as the many exceptions for each. The Ministry has introduced an interim strategy for inland walleye (Zones 15, 16,17,18) that includes reduced catch limits and size limits. As well, new live bait regulations are in place. The Fishing Ontario 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at service centres, tackle shops and online, contains most of the information anglers will need.

A federal court decision denying a request for an injunction to halt the proposed cull of cormorants on Middle Island in Lake Erie south of Pelee Island will allow Parks Canada to proceed with controls to reduce the negative impact of cormorants on the local ecosystem. The cull, which had been challenged by some animal rights activists, is part of a carefully developed and scientifically sound management plan by Parks Canada to address the overpopulation of cormorants on Middle Island.

The 2008 Hunting Regulations Summary provides information dealing with hunting licences and hunting laws in Ontario. It is neither a legal document nor a complete collection of the current regulations; it is meant to be a convenient reference only. Please visit the link to our website which will then provide you with a link to the new regulations.

The Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program, the Community Stream Steward Program and their partners are celebrating the successful wrap-up of the second year of the "Bring Back the Salmon program" with help from well-known anglers Bob and Wayne Izumi. Both programs are initiatives of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), Ontario's largest conservation-based organization.

The long and often acrimonious debate over amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada with respect to animal cruelty overcame a major hurdle yesterday in the House of Commons, with a large majority of Members of Parliament voting in support of Bill S-203, introduced by Liberal Senator John Bryden of New Brunswick.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), representing 83,000 members and 655 member clubs across Ontario, condemns Toronto Mayor David Miller's proposal to ban handguns because it flies in the face of hard evidence that bans don't work and focus on the wrong target. His insistence on pursuing this optically enticing but factually challenged policy ignores the fact that handgun bans in several other jurisdictions has resulted in increased gun violence. His proposal also misses the point that the overwhelming majority of handguns used to commit crimes in Canada belong not to trained, licenced and law abiding firearms owners, but rather, are smuggled in from the United States or other countries.

A new O.F.A.H. wild turkey seminar has been added for the Orillia area. The seminar is scheduled to take place on May 10. To register, please visit www.ofah.org/seminars/

In the Great Lakes basin, St. Lawrence River, and several inland lakes in southern Ontario, April means the return of the double-crested cormorant, and the continuation of its ecological destruction and devastation. For years, cormorant overpopulation has been killing off huge tracts of precious Carolinian forest, decimating shorelines, threatening species at-risk, and raiding fisheries.

MISSISSAUGA– Before an audience of several hundred outdoor enthusiasts, Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) Minister Donna Cansfield announced that there will be a fall wild turkey hunting season in designated Wildlife Management Units in Ontario, beginning this year.

Jack O'Dette was a member of the Order of Canada, an angler, hunter and conservationist who served the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) for many years, including several terms on the Board of Directors and as its President. In 2005, the O.F.A.H. created the Jack O'Dette Conservation Leadership Award, to be given annually to an individual currently serving as an O.F.A.H. Director. The recipient is selected by his or her fellow Directors for their hard work and dedication to the rich traditions of the O.F.A.H.

The Bob Pope Memorial Award is presented to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) Zone that shows the largest percentage in membership growth over the past year. The award is named in honour of a long time active O.F.A.H. member who knew the importance of strong membership to the Federation.