Florida Outdoor Writers Association

TALLAHASSEE- In preparation for its 75th Anniversary next year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service today announced 25 signature events that will take place statewide throughout 2010. The year-long celebration and signature events will highlight three quarters of a century of preserving the past while looking to the future.

Have you been wandering the shopping mall trying to find the perfect gift for the holidays? If your loved one is a boater, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has a suggestion. A new, comfortable life jacket could be the best gift you could ever give, and your loved one ever to receive.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will introduce a concept for a new black bass management plan on Oct. 26 at the Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition meeting in Orlando.  The plan addresses the long-term needs of this group of sport fish, which includes Florida largemouth, shoal, spotted and Suwannee basses.

Sales increase mirrors recreational fishing’s heyday in the 1960s and 1970s

ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 20, 2009) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) today announced the publication of a quarterly fishing license sales index to track trends that have an impact on the industry and the entire recreational fishing community.

Florida’s freshwater anglers are blessed with 7,700 lakes greater than 10 acres, covering 3 million total acres, and approximately 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals. That means diverse habitat for more than 200 species of native freshwater fishes, plus more than 23 species of nonnative fishes that reproduce in our waters. However, Florida faces several issues that could affect fishing in the state.

As part of FOWA’s Educational Outreach initiative, we sponsored a Hook Kids on Fishing program on Saturday, July 25, at Big Pier 60, Clearwater Beach. Our sponsorship was made possible by a donation to FOWA from the Tampa Bay Wildlife Federation. The event was promoted and presented by Anglers For Conservation, Inc. and the Tampa Bay Edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.

There were approximately 60 kids in attendance, with their parents.  After a briefing on knots, bait, rigging, casting and safety, the group had a chance to fish from the pier. This was the first HKOF event in the Tampa Bay area and was deemed a success by all attending.

The 2009 FOWA Scholarships were awarded to Matt Badolato of Indialantic and Chris Thurne of Jacksonville. There were ten applicants for the FOWA Scholarship this year. Matt is a senior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Creative Writing. He also writes for Florida Today and works for the Florida Sportsman Fishing Shows
Chris received his B.S. in Communication in 2009 from The University of North Florida and is current working on a Master’s Degree in English at UNF. An avid hunter, he contributes to the North American Outfitter Magazine Web site.

Please take a few minutes to read these students’ scholarship-winning essays.

Essay - Matt Badolato
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Essay - Chris Thurne
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FOWA Executive Director Tommy Thompson presenting checks to Matt Badolato at Bass Pro/Orlando; Chris Thurne at Shooter’s Gun Store/Jacksonville.

Learn more about the FOWA Scholarship Program

BRANYON JR, MAX H. , 78, died in Altamonte Springs, FL on Saturday, following a valiant three-year battle against pancreatic cancer. Max was born in Fayette, AL in 1931. He was one of four sons born to Max H. Branyon, Sr. and Madge Branyon. Max grew up in Northwest Alabama, where he acquired a life-long love of the outdoors. He and his brothers had an idyllic childhood, and filled their days with sports,

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet at the Plantation Inn in Crystal River June 17-18. FWC meetings are open to public participation.
The agenda for Wednesday, June 17, includes updates from FWC staff. In 2008, the Commission

This Memorial Day and all summer long, get out into nature and see some wildlife – in your backyard, at your local park or on a nearby national wildlife refuge. You’ll create family memories to last a lifetime, and if you take your digital camera, you’ll not only capture those memories, but will have the opportunity to submit them as part of a major online Photomosaic.

Coral beans and paw paws were blooming up in the scrub areas as thirty members of Indian River chapter hiked at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary for Earth Day. Located in Titusville, the Enchanted Forest features miles of hiking through marvelous habitat changes. Shady forest areas beckon with a  boardwalk through huge old oaks. Tropical plants like native coffee grow along the trail. Vireos, warblers and catbirds call from up in the canopy. Over in the scrub, the cactus blooms and a woodpecker hammers at a dead pine for grubs. The Enchanted Forest was the first purchase of Brevard county's EEL program, and now has an environmental center, butterfly garden and shady picnic area. It is open Tuesday through Saturday 9-5, and is free.

The Indian River chapter has a large Wednesday hiking group, active from November through April. Led by Jim and Nancy Escoffier, the group enjoys day hikes in Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, and Orange counties. Some of the favorite ambles include Bulow, the Econ, Blue Spring and Orlando Wetlands. "There were 38 on the Tosohatchee hike," says Jim happily. The hikers are just as wide-ranging, coming from Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne, Merritt Island, and even Volusia and Flagler counties. Everyone is looking forward to next November, when the air cools and the Wednesday hikes will start again.

Susan Young
FOWA and FTA member
photo by Susan Young

Even sections of SR19 and SR40 have been periodically closed due to smoke.
Photos from Juniper Run were taken March 8, by Susan Young. Water levels are low and plants are crispy-dry. And the Juniper Run swimming/picnicing area is closed until July for containment wall repairs. (Salt Springs swimming area is also closed for similiar repairs.)

By
Jan Stephen Maizler

INSHORE FISHING THRILLS

My first experience with Charlotte Harbor showed me what truly immense Florida marine habitat looks like- I simply was not used to losing sight of two opposite enclosing shorelines while I sat midway in the "bay" as mackerel struck with abandon and skyrocketed into groups of minnows and whitebait. I was out on Captain

By
Jan Stephen Maizler

Up until the present, my contact with Florida’s Space Coast was basic. Yet in the overall planning I did for an upcoming story on Space Coast redfishing with Captain Brian Pahmeier ( www.get1charters.com ), I learned a great deal more.   The cities of Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, and Titusville comprise the major cities of the Space Coast. While four cities may seem a modest constituency, you’ll quickly learn - as did I - that this

The most compelling video on being a wildlife artist, historian, hunter and conservationist ever produced….

Cruising Florida's vibrant Space Coast affords out-of-this world adventures.

Download (733 KB PDF) this Southern Boating story by Bobbye Kenyon

Dear Photographers,

Do you enjoy spending time taking photos outdoors?
Want a chance to win fabulous prizes for your favorite images?
Would you like to share photos with other photographers?

Interesting concept for other states.  It's free.  Hiking and paddling groups might get on the list, too. Check out the member organizations at the bottom. The SC Wildlife Federation is a member.

Hi FOWA friends, we just enjoyed a very fast outdoors sport weekend. Perry took 5th at Sebring! (SCCA January Nationals, FP class.)  Bob Bass was kind enough to come help crew for us on

Kelly Shannon Kelly Wins Wrangler Rugged Wear® Adventures Essay Contest
Account of clothes aiding in rescue from capsized kayak wins November contest

GREENSBORO, N.C.  (January 13, 2009) – Wrangler® today announced that Kelly Shannon Kelly, member and president of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, won the monthly Wrangler Rugged Wear® Adventures Essay Contest in November with her account of a dangerous rescue after overturning a kayak in the murky Cape Fear River. Her winning essay, "Fear on the Cape Fear," earned the outdoor writer three jeans and shirt outfits from Wrangler Rugged Wear.

Nearly 200 kids and their parents plus a small army of volunteers filled Punta Gorda’s Fishermen's Village’s Center Court on September 13 for fishing, fun and conservation lessons.

At each FOWA Conference, the FOWA Excellence-in-Craft (EIC) winners are announced. This coveted competition is between members who submit their work for judging in multiple categories. Entries are judged by independent industry-related communications professionals from around the country.