This past Sunday was Earth Day. Did you know that? I sure hope so. While attending the Syracuse Gun Show, a friend asked me why I did not add it in last week’s column and calendar. My thoughts were simple: Should I have to remind everyone when Earth Day is? Shouldn't “every” day be Earth Day?
Famed conservationist, Aldo Leopold, once said, "we treat the earth like we have a spare in the trunk.” With that, my feelings are that rather than put one day aside each year to be "earth-friendly,” we should make it a daily occurrence. So...what did you do on Earth Day? What are you doing to continue that today? As for me, for starters, 250 spruce seedlings are being planted on my land for more wildlife habitat. Here's some ideas to get you started on being "earth friendly" every day.

*Walk around your town and pick up trash
*Plant a tree - there is still time to order trees from the NYS Nursery (www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7127)
*Start a compost pile (www.howtocompost.org)
*Prepare the ground to plant a garden so you can use your compost pile (home-vegetable-gardening.com/implement/seedbed.html)
*Take a hike in the woods - join the bullthistle hiking club (www.bullthistlehiking.org)
*Start recycling if you haven't been (www.co.chenango.ny.us/dpw/waste-management/recycling)
*Go bird watching - join the Chenango Bird Club (www.nybirds.org/FedClubs)
*Go on your own photo safari of local nature (www.naturephotographers.net)
*Make a salad of greens from your backyard using dandelion greens, wild leeks, garlic mustard and other wild edibles (www.trails.com/list_2865_edible-wild-plants-new-york)
*Buy some reusable shopping bags - you can always find them at Dollar General, Real Deals, and other bargain stores
*Join your local Freecycle to pass along items instead of throwing them away (groups.yahoo.com/group/ChenangoCountyNYFreecycle )
*Collect hazardous materials like paint and batteries and dispose of them properly (www.co.chenango.ny.us/dpw/waste-management/recycling)
*Join a Community Supported Agriculture group (www.localharvest.org/csa )
*Grab hold of your loved one and go dance in the rain, watch the sun rise or set, go picnic beside a stream...and enjoy nature!
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For sportsmen on the federal front, Tuesday, April 17, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the most significant pro-sportsmen legislation in the last 15 years — the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012. The vote was 274-146 in favor." Locally, Representative Hinchey voted AGAINST this bill, Representative Hanna voted FOR it. Thank you Mr. Hanna.
The following summary was written by the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress, which serves Congress.
“Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 - Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act - Requires federal public land management officials to facilitate the use of, and access to, federal public lands and waters for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting, except as restricted by specified limitations, including statutory authority that authorizes or withholds action for reasons of national security, public safety, or resource conservation. Requires that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands, excluding lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, be open to recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity for specified purposes, including resource conservation, public safety, energy production, water supply facilities, or national security. Allows federal agencies to: (1) lease their lands for shooting ranges, and (2) designate specific lands for recreational shooting activities. Sets forth requirements for a withdrawal, change of classification, or change of management status that effectively closes or significantly restricts 640 or more contiguous acres of federal public lands or waters for fishing or hunting or related activities. Recreational Shooting Protection Act - Requires National Monument land under BLM's jurisdiction to be open to access and use for recreational shooting, except as limited by the Director of BLM for reasons of national security and public safety and to comply with an applicable federal statute. Prohibits the issuance of closures or restrictions on such land that are substantially similar to those that were previously issued and not approved by federal law. Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2012 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of any polar bear part (other than an internal organ) from a polar bear taken in a sport hunt in Canada to any person: (1) who submits proof that the polar bear was legally harvested before February 18, 1997; or (2) who has submitted, in support of an application submitted before May 15, 2008, proof that the bear was legally harvested before such date from a polar bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to exclude from the definition of "chemical substance" for purposes of such Act: (1) any component of any pistol, revolver, firearm, shell, or cartridge the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax, including shot, bullets and other projectiles, propellants, and primers; and (2) any sport fishing equipment the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax and sport fishing equipment components”.
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Also on federal matters, concerning lead bans. On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency denied for the second time a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity and other anti-hunting groups asking the EPA to impose a nationwide ban on the use of ammunition containing lead. The petition was essentially a repetition of a similar petition submitted by the CBD in 2010. The EPA found that the new petition was “almost identical” to the earlier petition, had no “substantive difference,” and “contains no new information” as compared to the earlier petition.
In rejecting the new petition, the EPA reiterated its earlier finding that it has no authority to issue an ammunition ban. To ensure a positive outcome on this matter, NRA-ILA is actively supporting Representative Jeff Miller’s (R-Fla.) “Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 (H.R. 4089), which will be voted on by the House of Representatives next week. This legislation also contains provisions “to facilitate use of and access to Federal public lands and waters for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting,” and to increase the number of shooting ranges on federal lands. It is critical that you contact our local representatives in support of H.R. 4089.
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Spring turkey season opens up May 1 at one-half hour before sunrise (according to www.calendar-365.com, that’s 5:24 a.m.). Important details for the spring turkey season, May 1-31, 2012:
*Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island.
*Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their small game hunting or sportsman license.
*Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.
*Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day.
*Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow and arrow.
*Successful hunters must fill out the tag which comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested.
*Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html.

Participation Opportunities: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Turkey hunters in pursuit of that wary gobbler in the spring are ideally suited for monitoring ruffed grouse during the breeding season. The characteristic sound of a drumming male grouse is as much a part of the spring woods as yelping hens and gobbling toms. Turkey hunters can record the number of grouse they hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48169.html or call (518) 402-8886.
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The New York Crossbow Coalition has scheduled a town hall meeting for the sporting community, state legislators, and the DEC on April 27 to discuss the expansion of crossbow use in NY to include any season or area archery equipment is allowed as well as bills S6747 and A9682 that are currently in the Environmental Conservation Committees of the Assembly and Senate.
The meeting is scheduled for 6pm at the Cross Roads Auction House, 988 County Route 37, Central Square NY, 13036. http://crossroadsauction.net/Directions.html
If you attended the SCI/Rockdale Rod and Gun Club Youth Day on April 14, you got a hands-on demonstration of the crossbow. Horton Archery was kind enough to send me a demonstrator bow. Joe Guernsey, a professional crossbow archer and owner of Klein's Archery in Dryden, set me up with arrows, cocker and a terrific target to use. Ron Meek, director of the event, informed me that about 80 were in attendance. Kids from 8-80 shot about 300 arrows – only two missed the target! I will be available for demonstrations to gun clubs, legislators and interested organizations upon your request (e-mail me at george_franke@yahoo.com). It is my goal to have these bills signed into law by the start of the 2012 fall hunting season. I need your help, so please consider joining the NY Crossbow Coalition at www.nycrossbowcoalition.com, it’s FREE!

Comments or questions about this article can be addressed to george_franke@yahoo.com