Recreational Fishing goes Global in Las Vegas at ICAST 2013

posted in: General

This year, the American Sportfishing Association is bringing the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, back to Las Vegas. ICAST is being held July 9 – 12, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. From buyers to media to exhibitors, ICAST 2013 is expected to host close to 10,000 representatives from the international sportfishing community who conduct business, network with industry leaders and see all the latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.

For the first time, ICAST and the International Fly Tackle Dealer show, the fly tackle-specific show produced by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, are co-locating in the North Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center on the same days and the same show hours. The “all under one roof” marketplace for fishing is attractive to both the domestic and the international exhibitor and attendee in terms of travel, number of shows to attend and other aspects of show exhibiting and attendance. The show will appear seamless since there will be no partition between ICAST and IFTD and one badge permits access to both shows

“The ‘world’s largest recreational fishing trade show’ is a sure bet for domestic and international exhibitors, buyers and media,” said ICAST Trade Show Director Kenneth Andres. “Throughout its 56-year history, ICAST has encompassed all aspects of recreational fishing. With the co-location of IFTD, buyers, media and all members of the global fishing industry can see everything the fishing industry has to offer.”

TRCP’s own Chris Macaluso will be in attendance. Drop him a line if you want to meet Chris and talk about marine fisheries conservation.

Learn more about ICAST.

by: Christen Duxbury

posted in: General

July 7, 2013

Meet Ryan and Kerri Wagner

Wagners Inc.

Farm: Wagners Inc., near Roslyn, S.D., a closely held family operation. Ryan and Kerri and Ryan’s dad are majority owners and manage the operation.

Acreage: 4,000 acres and also custom farm for others

Row Crops: Corn, soybean and spring wheat

Family: Three children: Grady – 4 ½ years; Anna — 2 ½ years; and Harrison – 7 months

History: Ryan’s grandfather moved to South Dakota to farm in the 1950s; Ryan’s dad and uncles operated the farm in the 1980s. Ryan moved back in 2007 and continues to work with his dad full-time on the farm. The Wagners used to have a diversified operation, including a cattle feedlot until 2004.

Conservation: Wagners Inc. is 100 percent continuous no till, and has been practicing no till for more than 30 years. Ryan’s dad first implemented the practice as a means to conserve moisture. Now they know the additional benefits of soil health and maintaining organisms in the soil. The Wagners have also participated in the federal Conservation Stewardship Program since its early days. Conservation is almost second nature to the region, Ryan says, noting the unique topographical challenges of the Prairie Pothole region of South Dakota.

Why are you participating in the Conservation Exchange?

It gives me an opportunity to go to another part of the country where I can learn some new management practices. I’m also curious about aquaculture as a possible market for soybean meal for fish food.

What do you hope to learn?

Regardless of what industry we are in, we can learn management tips, tricks of trade. I’m also interested in learning about their culture. And I’m looking forward to teaching about our industry and sharing with them.

What else: Ryan is a mechanical engineer and worked in that industry for five years before farming. His wife, Kerri, is a former high school math teacher and now is a full-time mother and farmer.

by: Neil Thagard

posted in: General

A Sportsman’s Encounter with Conservation

I work in wildlife conservation and sportsmen’s advocacy, an arena about which I am truly passionate. Nevertheless, I occasionally have days when I wonder why I bother.

Frustrations in one form or another – whether setbacks in the political process or the challenges inherent in educating hunters and anglers about policy issues – can make you want to bang your head against the wall.

But some moments make it all worthwhile. Recently after a particularly difficult week at the office, I sought some much-needed “mountain therapy” in the backcountry of Wyoming near my home. I tackled a relatively long and challenging hiking trail, which ascended to about 8,000 feet before leveling out along a ridgeline and providing spectacular, uninterrupted views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

As I climbed through the timber, my mind still on my work, I noticed a mule deer buck bedded just below the tree line. I stopped and sat with him a while, occasionally making eye contact, and as he showed no sign of being nervous about my presence, I quietly pulled out my video camera.

Now, before anyone comments that this is just a boring video clip of a deer doing nothing, I challenge you to look a little closer. To me, this video represents everything I work for, summarized in one brief minute.

In this video I see a healthy, mature mule deer buck, who in June already is showing promise of becoming the kind of buck that wanders through any mountain hunter’s dreams. His habitat, while designated for multiple uses such as energy development as well as recreation, is scientifically managed for his needs and is neither over-grazed nor overrun with development. His range is not fragmented by unnecessary roads and has clean water plentiful enough to grow the forage that keeps him in good body condition. While pressure from predators exists, his aging face is evidence of the fact he has learned to co-exist with the wolf pack whose den is within three miles of this sunny hillside.

When I look at this video I see evidence of responsible, science-based management of our fish and wildlife. And that makes me want to get up another day and continue to fight all of the seemingly uphill battles sportsmen face here in the West, whether it’s irresponsible energy development, lack of funding or the political erosion of our backcountry.

I hope you will join me in this endeavor by signing up as a Western Sportsman Advocate.

by: Christen Duxbury

posted in: General

July 6, 2013

Meet Joey Hanson

Agronomist & Farmer

Agronomist & Certified Crop Advisor: Now With Valley Ag Supply in Gayville, SD, and starting his own custom strip till business, Diversified Agronomics

Farm: Family Farm near Elk Point, SD

Row Crops: Corn & Soybeans

Acreage: Under 200

Family: 3-year-old son, Austin James Hanson, who wants to be on the family farm 24 hours day.

History: Joey’s grandparents started the family farm in the 1940s. After Joey’s dad died in a farming accident in 2006, Joey moved back to the farm in 2007. He and his brother, James, who is a precision ag technician with International Case in Sioux Falls, manage the farm together.

Conservation: Will start over cropping this summer, followed by strip tilling in the fall.

Why are you participating in the Conservation Exchange?

I have a small farm and am just starting conservation practices. I hope to gain more knowledge and expertise from those who have been doing it for some time. It opens up another door for long-term ag sustainability here in south Dakota.

What do you hope to learn?

I want to learn about some of the issues they are having in the Gulf: hypoxia and water quality issues that stem from practices a couple thousand miles north of them. I want to learn how it’s affecting their practices; how it’s changing their practices; how government looks at it.

And I want to learn about their culture of agriculture. So much of agriculture has turned into business: agribusiness. I want to learn how we can help each other…what we can do to become better stewards.

What Else: Joey knows the other South Dakota participants through the South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program.