2011 NEW MINISTER
Michael Gravelle, Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP, is the new Minister of Natural Resources. Readers may recall that Gravelle was Minister of Northern Development and Mines in 2009 when Forestry was moved from natural resources to his ministry. Not since Lyn McLeod has there been an MNR minister from Thunder Bay. If Gravelle can perform half as well as McLeod he will be accomplished. McLeod was in the Liberal cabinet of David Peterson and Ontario Liberal leader from 1992-1996 preceding our present Premier.
With Gravelle comes Forestry returning the ministry to its former glory when it was once known as “Lands & Forests.” (It’s still the MNR.) OFAH Executive Director Mike Reader said he anticipated working with the new minister to ensure that our precious natural resources get the attention and critical financial support needed. “The new minister fully understands the importance of the contributions of anglers and hunters to fish and wildlife conservation and Ontario’s economy,” said Reader.
Gravelle is not a wet behind the ears newcomer to Queen’s Park. During the 1970’s he spent 9 years as Special Assistant to Robert Andras a senior minister in the Trudeau cabinet. In 1979 he moved to Toronto as a Communications Officer for the leader of the Ontario Liberals, Stuart Smith. From 1981-86 Gravelle was a publicist for the CBC – radio news and TV sports. From 1987 – 93 he was Co-ordinator of Northern Development Councils for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. In 1993 Gravelle returned to politics as Special Assistant to the federal M.P. for Thunder Bay-Nipigon. He was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1995 for Port Arthur and in 1999 for the new riding of Thunder-Bay Superior North. Born in 1949, Gravelle is now into his 5th term at Queen’s Park – no mean feat. As mentioned he’s no newbie! MPP Randy Hillier used to refer to him as Minister of Sand & Gravel.
SNOW BUNTING NETWORK
If you are a landowner and feed Snow Buntings or a bird bander and would like to help the Canadian Snow Bunting Network improve their understanding of this species contact Dr. Oliver Love at olove@uwindsor.ca or call 519.253.3000 ext. 2711.
PROTECTING DOGS FROM COYOTES
Are coyotes looking to pet pooches as a snack food in your area? A fact sheet – Protecting Dogs from Coyotes – is available from the MNR. Coyotes have been known to enter yards and snatch small dogs from under the noses of property owners or off the end of a leash. Here are some suggestions from the MNR:
- Coyotes are mainly nocturnal. Keep Pooch inside at night.
- Fence your property 2 metres high and 20 cm at least underground.
- No fence? Keep Fido on a leash.
- Dog poop attracts coyotes so clean up.
- Keep pet food indoors.
- Carry a flashlight to scare off coyotes.
- Don’t let your dog chase a coyote.
- Don’t let your pet roam. Coyote diseases and parasites can be a risk to Rover.
- Spay/neuter your pet as coyotes can breed with domestic dogs.
- For more information goto: Ontario.ca/livingwithwildlife.
OUTDOOR NEWS
Published in partnership between the Bancroft Area Stewardship Council and the Bancroft F&W Wildlife Advisory Committee and the Bancroft-Mazinaw Area MNR this 20 page booklet features angling & hunting news from the area Wildlife Management Units – all made possible through the generous support of sponsors. Copies have been mailed to hunt camps and sponsors have picked up copies for distribution so keep your eyes peeled for them.
THE PEPIN BULL
Perhaps the 2nd heaviest bull elk was taken in Wildlife Management Unit 61, Harvest Area 6. The 6×6 field dressed out at 657 pounds as measured by the ministry technicians assisted by NOS students. Glenn McLean was the seal holder and Claude Pepin the marksmen. Bruce Mighton and Dean Pattemore rounded out the foursome. Pepin said he was using a .270 matched with a single 150 grain bullet. On opening day (Sept.19), at 2:45 p.m., it came in, “just before the rain,” said Pepin. Apparently without any calling. The hunters spent many hours scouting before choosing a location. They camped on Crown Land. “These were wild elk,” said Mighton. “We did have permission to hunt some private land but that was part of a back up plan.”
The Rossatte Bull
Perhaps the most senior hunter, Richard Rossatte, aged 86, shot his 7×8 bull while following Joe Neuhold, perhaps the most senior guide at age 82, to his watch. According to Richard’s son Robert, the bull came in at 6:15 p.m. on opening day. Rossatte was using a 30.06 with a 170 grain bullet. “There was a light mist; it was sprinkling rain at the time,” said Robert who brought the head in for CWD testing. “We were here (at the checkpoint) at 8 a.m. (Sept. 20) but it didn’t open until 9 a.m. so we headed for the butcher not wanting the meat to spoil (in reference to the hot weather).”
Joe Neuhold, well known as The Elkman, grew up in Austria where he learned how an Overseer studied and managed elk for the improvement of the herd. According to Neuhold this particular bull had a nasty streak and had killed a few elk calves in recent years. Thus it was targeted for culling from the herd to fill Neuhold’s seal. Their butcher estimated that the bull weighed 650 pounds. As for the horns, according to the MNR, they are solid bone.
Regarding spoilage all hunters know it is against the law, not to mention a question of ethics, to permit game meat to spoil. Hunters I had met in the field called to say that they were by-passing the voluntary checkpoint station to avoid such spoilage.
AND FINALLY…Ask Him?
Upon meeting a man and his dog friend Gary asked, “What’s your dog’s name?”
“Askim,” came the reply. The guy had named his dog – Ask Him, “Askim” for short. True story.
Photo – courtesy of Claude Pepin – left to right – McLean, Pepin, Mighton.