Trapline Journal Weblog

The Trapper and Predator Caller has a new product called Extra which is a bi-weekly e-mail magazine. Topics in the July 17, 2007 issue are:

• Cougar Suspected in Minnesota Goat Attack
• Missouri Group Experiences Mountain Man Trapline
• Specialty Set: Mink By the Bucket
• Sneak Peek at the August T&PC Issue
• How Fast Can a Coyote Run?
• NTA Convention Just Two Weeks Away

Sign up for the email newsletter is free. Just go to their website at http://www.trapperpredatorcaller.com and enter your email address in the box below “Sign up to receive free news and updates”.

Recently, the Trapper and Predator Caller Magazine website was updated with a Forum and Subscriber information. The login/registration box is a little hard to find. It’s the dark brown box about halfway down on the right side of the ‘Home’ screen.

On the Subscriber Information pages, you can check on your subscription beginning and expiration dates. There’s been some mixups with state trapping associations subscriptions recently and checking your subscription online could save you a phone call. If you register through the Subscriber Information pages, be sure to check “Not a Subscriber”, even if you are a subscriber. This is because the subscriber features have not been implemented yet. For more info, check the posts on the Trapper and Predator Caller forum.

Monday, July 16, 2007

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it will significantly revise a recent proposal for new “explosives safety” regulations that caused serious concern among gun owners. OSHA had originally set out to update workplace safety regulations, but the proposed rules included restrictions that very few gun shops, sporting goods stores, shippers, or ammunition dealers could comply with.

Gun owners had filed a blizzard of negative comments urged by the NRA, and just a week ago, OSHA had already issued one extension for its public comment period at the request of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. After continued publicity through NRA alerts and the outdoor media, and after dozens of Members of Congress expressed concern about its impact, OSHA has wisely decided to go back to the drawing board.

Full story is available at the NRA website: http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=3162

This is the new home of the Trapline Journal Weblog. All weblog content previously on the main web page has been moved to here, running WordPress software. Hope you find this format easier to use.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has extended the comment period on its proposed rule for 60 days until September 10. The proposed new rules would have a dramatic effect on the storage and transportation of ammunition and handloading components such as primers or black and smokeless powder. The proposed rule indiscriminately treats ammunition, powder and primers as “explosives.” Among many other provisions, the proposed rule would:

• Prohibit possession of firearms in commercial “facilities containing explosives”—an obvious problem for your local gun store.
• Require evacuation of all “facilities containing explosives”—even your local Wal-Mart—during any electrical storm.
• Prohibit smoking within 50 feet of “facilities containing explosives”.

For full story, visit the NRA website at
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=3151

The OSHA news release is at
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=14100

River Valley NWC has released Hunters Notebook 2.10 for Windows-based computers. The software is designed for big-game and small-game hunters and guides who wish to track the results of game hunts. Hunters Notebook is used to record details of a hunt by Location, Style, Weapon, Ammo, Calls and Game, and results of a hunt by Kills and Sightings. Hunters Notebook is for anyone using rifle, shotgun, blackpowder, bow or camera to hunt bear, deer, waterfowl, turkey, squirrel, raccoon, coyote or other wild game.

For more information, visit the Hunters Notebook website at http://www.huntersnotebook.com

The deadline for submitting an application for one of 1010 bobcat tags is August 15th. The applications can be delivered to an area office by the 15th, or if mailed, must be postmarked by the 15th. There is a $5 non-refundable application fee. The drawing will be held on September 14th at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters. The public is invited to attend.

Applicants must use the form found on page 89 of the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations, or at “The Outdoor Shop” on the Game Commission’s website http://www.pgc.state.pa.us.

The bobcat hunting season will take place Oct. 20 through Feb. 16. The bobcat trapping season will be held from Oct. 21 through Feb. 17.