You’ve watched your union brothers and sisters travel to Africa, Costa Rica, Canada, the Rocky Mountains and other incredible destinations for once-in-a-lifetime hunting and fishing adventures.  Now, it’s your chance.  You could be next to win the trip of your dreams and appear on national television on season three of Escape to the Wild. 

Escape to the Wild is a TV program of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, VERSUS Network and several of America’s leading trade unions and contractor associations that honors hardworking union members with the hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime. 

On season three of the popular program, lucky winners will venture to Argentina to hunt majestic red stag; join professional angler Byron Velvick for top-notch Texas bass fishing, trek Canada’s expansive tundra to hunt caribou and run and gun for upland bird at a top-notch lodge.  And that’s just a few of the adrenaline-pumping adventures lined up for the best season yet.

Escape to the Wild is the real deal, making dreams come true for union members just like you with a passion for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.  When season two winner, Jay Rodriguez, was asked if he thought he had a good shot at winning, he responded, "Oh no.  You just fill out entries and send them in.  You never expect to win."  But Jay did win, and so can you.

Apply now for your chance to win the hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime.  The deadline for applications is April 15, 2008 or June 1, 2008, depending on which trips you select.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by dwindling access to quality places to hunt and fish, you’re not alone.  Today, lack of access is the number one reason active hunters and anglers become former hunters and anglers.  But there’s hope on the horizon.

Congress is in the process of updating the "Farm Bill,’ which represents the nation’s single largest investment in conservation programs for private lands.  In fact, the $5 billion in annual funding for the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title totals more than two-and-a-half times the entire annual budget for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

As Congress puts the final touches on the updated bill, the AFL-CIO and several prominent labor unions are urging congressional leaders to develop final legislation that aligns with the recommendations of  a coalition of national hunting, fishing and conservation organizations.  The coalition of 15 leading groups, including Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy and many others is sponsored by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), which also has partnered with the AFL-CIO and 19 of its affiliated unions to launch the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance.

One of the group’s key recommendations for the Farm Bill is the inclusion of a program known as "Open Fields," which would provide $20 million annually to help states fund programs that promote sportsmen’s access on private lands, often called "walk-in" programs.  In addition to opening new places to hunt and fish, Open Fields would support habitat conservation by requiring those who enroll their lands in the program to manage their land to the optimal conditions for fish and wildlife.

In a letter to Congress, the AFL-CIO, Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), United Steelworkers (USW) and Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) write, "At a time when U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service statistics show that the numbers of Americans who hunt and fish continue to decline, this legislation would serve to abate this trend and the members of our union strongly support it."

"Lack of access is a common obstacle among our union members who hunt and fish," said Michael Sullivan, President of the SMWIA. "Open Fields is a win-win solution, opening new land for sportsmen while, in turn, providing an economic boost to rural communities."

The unions’ letter marks the most recent push in an ongoing effort to shape legislation to benefit the millions of union members who hunt and fish.  Last May, 17 unions signed on to a similar letter to representatives in both houses of Congress asking them to consider key programs like Open Fields when developing the new Farm Bill policy.  Those letters marked the first time unions sought to influence Farm Bill legislation—and policy makers took notice.

"We’ve heard direct feedback from congressional leaders that they’re extremely excited the unions are stepping up their participation in the national discussion on conservation," said Geoff Mullins, a TRCP initiative manager, "so we can be sure that the unions’ calls for strong Farm Bill conservation funding and Open Fields are registering in the right places."

"While our unions have not traditionally engaged directly in the formation of the Farm Bill, we have a keen interest in advocating for our members’ interests not only in the workplace, but also in the fields, forests and waters where many of them spend their hard-earned time," write the unions.

When upland bird seasons have ended in the northern tier states and cold inclement weather grips the land; moderate temperatures, nice weather, and good wild quail hunting await the visiting hunter in many parts of the south.  And with nearly limitless public access and lands available to hunt on, few places offer more opportunities for great wild quail shooting than does southeastern New Mexico.

And that’s just where I joined my TRCP colleagues Terry Riley and Steve Belinda, during the first week of February last year to…run and gun…for scaled quail, known variously as scalies, cotton tops and blues. But no matter what you call them, these hot-footing, mesquite dodging little missiles of the southwestern deserts are a real challenge and a great deal of fun to hunt. Just be prepared to hustle after them to make them fly.  And when they flush, get your gun up fast and be ready for birds flushing in front, behind and to the left and right of you because Scalies can be the very definition of hot action.

Quail populations fluctuate wildly from one year to the next. Spring rains or lack thereof play a major role in determining the fall’s crop of birds. When the rains are good and timely, quail numbers explode.  If the rains fail or come at the wrong time, quail numbers plummet. Check with New Mexico’s Department of Game & Fish before planning a trip, and contact the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) www.blm.gov  for a list of places to hunt, maps and other information. We hunted around Carlsbad, home to the famous caverns, and found more public lands than we could have explored in a month of Sundays… they were so numerous.

Last season was only fair in southeast New Mexico; quail numbers were down from the year before, but nevertheless, our two half-day outings managed to produce a total of over thirty birds. With twenty quail per day limits, you can shoot a lot of birds in New Mexico, but be prepared to walk and run a number of miles if you want to leave the field with a heavy game bag.

After spying one big covey, Terry and I tried an end-run maneuver with Terry going right and me going left. I got two birds and watched as Terry emptied his autoloader, reloaded and emptied it again, scratching down six quail in the process.

A good dog is a big help, but be sure to take one that you can control. Running quail can drive dogs crazy and send them chasing birds over the horizon. I like to use a light twenty or twenty-eight gauge, loaded with size 7 ½ or 8 shot for quail, but any shotgun you shoot well will work. Bring lots of water and a GPS and/or compass. There’s a great deal of country down there and it’s easy to get turned around.

If you decide to stay in Carlsbad, please take my advice and go eat at Lucy’s Mexican Restaurant. The fried cheese cake is incredibly delicious, and don’t worry, you’ll walk off the extra calories!

Ken Barrett is the host of TRCP’s Life in the Open.  Click here for Ken’s “Fast Facts” on this desert quail hunt.

Smothered Fish
The first time I made this recipe was at a family fishing resort where the cabins had their own kitchens. When the troops came in from a long day on the water, the dish disappeared faster than a big northern can break 2-pound line. I promise your family will enjoy it just as much.

1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup flour
4 walleye filet or white fish
1 1/2 cup milk
1 medium onion (sliced)
4 slices bacon
4 slices Swiss cheese

Combine salt, pepper and flour and coat fish filets on both sides. Arrange fish in a shallow glass baking dish and add milk. Place in a 400-degree oven; bake for 10 minutes. In two fry pans, brown bacon until crisp and simmer onions until tender. Crumble bacon on fish, add the onions and return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes. During the last 2 minutes, melt sliced Swiss cheese on top of fish.

Venison Roll-Ups
Preparing bag lunches for the kids? Having friends over to watch a ball game and need some finger food? Whatever the occasion, you can’t beat the flavor and versatility of these roll-ups. They turn the rich taste of venison into a fiesta.

5-6 large size tortillas flour soft shells
8 ounces cream cheese (whipped)
4-5 jalapeno peppers (chopped)
1 pound cooked & shredded venison steak or roast
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup black olives (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine all the ingredients (except the shells, meat and cheese) and mix well. Lay out the tortilla shells and spread the mixture over the entire top of the shell, then sprinkle with cheese. Roll as tightly as possible; then wrap in Saran Wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Slice into 1/4 inch slices and serve with salsa, sour cream or any of your favorite Mexican toppings.