Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1513547
Thursday, December 21-December 27, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. Each dollar anglers spend to fi sh for mountain trout in North Carolina returns $1.93 to its economy and results in a $1.38 billion impact, according to new data from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). The Evaluation of North Carolina Trout Anglers' Opinions, Participation and Socioeconomic Impact study was developed by NCWRC's Conservation Policy & Analysis group and the Inland Fisheries Division. The report deep dives into an analysis of the socioeconomic aspects of trout fi shing. In addition to monetary values (including out-of- state angler contribution, equipment and trip-related expenditures, etc.), the study explores anglers' motivation for participating in the sport, satisfaction levels and challenges of trout fi shing in this state, as well as feedback on NCWRC's management of trout. "We took a very comprehensive approach to this study. We wanted to better understand how anglers utilize the trout waters we manage and the views of trout fi shing from the anglers themselves," said Jake Rash, cold water fi sheries research coordinator. "Understanding anglers' motivations and perceptions provides broader insight into this popular North Carolina sport." The report was published in July and outlines how the various dollar amounts spent on this sport resulted in an overall economic impact of $1.38 billion. The previous economic impact evaluation, published in 2015, reported the impact to be $383 million. The increase in the economic impact of trout fi shing is largely due to the increase in freshwater anglers in North Carolina. The number of fi shing license holders increased 53% from 2014 to 2023, while the estimated number of trout anglers increased from 18.5% to 32% of all licensed anglers. The 29% increase in the cost of living since 2014 may also have played an important role in increasing the cost of equipment and trip-related expenditures. "Given the recreational importance of trout fi shing, it's important for NCWRC to understand public perceptions on management of trout and expenditures on trout fi shing," said NCWRC Mountain Region Fisheries Supervisor, Doug Besler. "These surveys put an economic value on the resources we manage and help us focus our programs and infrastructure, such as capital investments in modern fi sh hatcheries. In addition, these surveys allow us to better communicate with constituents and partners about the value of the Public Mountain Trout Water program (PMTW) and its potential benefi ts to their community." The PMTW program manages approximately 5,400 miles and 2,600 acres of trout waters in 26 western counties, with six distinct classifi cations: catch and release, delayed harvest, hatchery supported, special regulations, wild trout waters and wild trout/ natural bait waters. This year, the N.C. General Assembly granted $20 million to NCWRC to help fund a major renovation and expansion of the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery, which is NCWRC's largest trout-producing hatchery. NCWRC hatcheries produce and stock about one million brook, rainbow and brown trout each year. PMTW also manages and oversees wild, self-sustaining trout populations; native brook trout conservation; aquatic organism passage and stream habitat projects; numerous partnerships; and aquatic nuisance species management. Visit NCwildlife. org for summaries of both the economic and socioeconomic impacts, species information and the trout resource page (which contains information regarding regulations, maps, hatcheries and stocking efforts). The Billion Dollar Impact of North Carolina's Mountain Trout Fishing State Releases Insightful Trout Fishing Economic and Socioeconomic Data Article by: ncwildlife.org. In most areas I hunt in, the prevailing good wind is out of the Northwest. The hardest places to hunt are the ones where that wind is downwind to my deer because I am unable to place a stand in any other position. The common phrase we hear when it comes to all hunting is, "East is least, West is best." I believe that is pretty much accurate. And I also believe a south wind is never good for me as well. So, you can imagine how I felt as I sat in a tree stand for 3 days in a southernly wind. I was not too confi dent, and my confi dence ended up proving correct. There was very little activity. I'm not sure if this was the only reason, but it was enough to give it the blame. During those days, I kept looking at the weather forecast to see when the winds may change – both literally and metaphorically. I needed something to happen. But I just couldn't imagine the current changing fast enough before my hunting days were over. But during the end of the week, the weather man said the winds were going to change from south to north. That seemed extreme to me. I mean that is the exact opposite direction. No long curve. No gradual bend. Just at 4:00 p.m. the winds will switch from south to north. I was not convinced. But what was good about this prediction was that I would be in the tree stand when this changeover was supposed to happen. So, it would be easy to verify such an occurrence. So, there I was at four o'clock sitting in my tree stand, when the wind that was coming out of the south, completely fl ipped. And what was just a minute before gusting from behind me, was now blowing in my face. It all happened that quickly. In the same way I have witnessed my circumstances change as well. I have seen God change the direction of my situation in ways that were just as radical and immediate. And I've seen him do it in ways, and from resources, I never imagined. That's why I always try to remind myself that God has ways I have never even thought of. And He can turn my situation 180 degrees in one minute's time. And He can do the same for you and with the circumstance you fi nd yourself in right now. So, my friend, don't give up hope. Don't quit believing. Don't hem God in. If He can turn water into wine, He can turn your hurts into happiness and your worries into wealth. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written fi ve books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wildgame dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org This holiday season, the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program joins local and state law enforcement to urge drivers against impaired driving. The statewide "Booze It & Lose It" campaign, which ends on January 1, 2024 aims to raise awareness and deter people from driving under the infl uence of alcohol, drugs and all impairing substances. "Festivities this time of year often involve alcohol consumption, which unfortunately leads to an increased risk of impaired driving," said Mark Ezzell, director of GHSP. "More than 25 percent of all N.C. crash fatalities in 2022 involved drivers who were under the infl uence of alcohol." According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, 471 alcohol related crash fatalities occurred in 2022. The "Booze It & Lose It" campaign is a sobering reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior. Now until Jan 1., law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase the number of sobriety checkpoints and patrols in heavily traffi cked areas. These checkpoints reinforce the message that there is a zero-tolerance approach toward driving under the infl uence. "The most important thing is to have a transportation plan before consumption of alcohol or drugs," said Jennifer Lichtneger, executive director of NC Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "It is essential to plan a safe ride before heading out. If you wait until after you've been drinking, you will already be too impaired to make the right decisions." Plenty of options are available to help drivers arrive safely at their destination, like designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare service. Visit this webpage to search for all available public transportation in any North Carolina city or county. Article Provided By: ncdot Statewide Holiday 'Booze It & Lose It' Enforcement Campaign Underway