By Chad Love

The state of Texas is considering closing the 2012 spring turkey season in fifteen Texas counties.

From this story in the Cherokeean.com:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is considering a regulation change that would close the spring Eastern turkey season in 15 East Texas counties in 2012. Counties being considered for hunting season closure and further restocking consideration include: Cherokee, Delta, Gregg, Hardin, Houston, Hunt, Liberty, Montgomery, Rains, Rusk, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Tyler and Walker. In 28 other counties, the decision would delay the spring Eastern turkey season by two weeks. To give the public an opportunity to weigh in on these considerations prior to any official proposed regulation change in 2012, TPWD is holding scoping meetings during the first week in January.

By David Maccar

Game wardens in Wyoming are using decoys of big game animals to nab poachers who take illegal shots at them while they are under surveillance. But some hunters think the bait constitutes entrapment.

From this story in the Billings Gazette:

One afternoon in early October, Wyoming Game and Fish Department wardens set up an antelope decoy at a remote site northeast of Casper. Officials said 29 vehicles drove by the decoy during the day. Ten drivers stopped for a look. Hunters in eight of the cars took shots at the decoy, but only two of them did so legally.

A few more of those poacher-nabbing decoys will be out in the field next year, thanks to a donation to the agency by the Jackson chapter of Safari Club International.

By Chad Love

The Conservation Reserve Program, one of the the most successful and cost-effective pieces of conservation and environmental legislation ever passed, just turned 25 years old. If you hunt upland birds or waterfowl, you have the CRP program to thank for it. The program's future, however, is far from certain.

From this story by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel outdoors writer Paul Smith:
One of America's landmark conservation programs turned 25 last week. In a sign of the times, it was an anniversary marked by as much uncertainty as hope. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been hailed as the nation's most important and successful program of its kind, protecting water quality and soils, and creating habitat for a diverse mix of wildlife. It was signed into law Dec. 23, 1985, by President Ronald Reagan. The voluntary program allows farmers, ranchers and other landowners to use their environmentally-sensitive land for conservation benefits. As a result, CRP protects millions of acres of America's topsoil from erosion and provides benefits to water quality and wildlife.

By David Maccar

A Wisconsin man died from an accidental gunshot wound to the stomach he received while hunting deer with his young son Friday, according to local authorities, who are still investigating the particulars of the incident.

From this story on GazetteXtra.com:
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of Patrick Preston, 30, of Beloit, who authorities said was fatally shot Friday while deer hunting with his son.

A resident near the 12000 block of Brandherm Road about eight miles west of Beloit reported an 11-year-old boy had come to the door seeking help for his father, who had been shot in the stomach in a wooded area nearby at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office reported.