Team Member: Bob McGaryBruce RantaDrew MyersGord EllisJames SmedleyJeff HelsdonJohn KerrLonnie KingLuigi de RoseRay BladesSteve GaleaSusan Kane-DoyleTim AllardTom Goldsmith

Articles by Steve Galea

Bat Disease Here ( 410 views)

White Nose Syndrome(WNS), a mysterious illness that affects bats, has entered Ontario. The first confirmed case of the disease was found in the Bancroft-Minden Area in early March. At press time, two new incidents were reported in the Flesherton and Kirkland Lake areas....more

That's One Long Nose ( 780 views)

Perfect conditions for sight-fishing, a doctored crankbait, and a good friend helped Rob Jackson catch the new Ontario record longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)....more

Eggs No Cure for Salmonids ( 33 views)

A study by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) suggests some brands of commercially cured fish eggs, similar to those used by many Ontario steelheaders, are harmful to juvenile salmonids. The study was initiated by a concerned local guide who noted that...more

Big Changes at the MNR ( 48 views)

New leadership and a slew of departmental realignments were announced in mid-January, but it's business as usual at the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), says Senior Media Relations Officer Jolanta Kowalski....more

Safety for the Solo Hunter ( 525 views)

Though hunting with a group of friends can be fun and productive, there's also something to be said for heading out alone. A solo hunter gets to choose methods and pace and often gains access to places larger groups can't. But, going solo requires foresight to maximize personal safety...more

Wolf Attack! Close Call for Anglers ( 283 views)

Two ice anglers and their dog had an unexpected visit on December 31, and it wasn't from the fish. Basil and Julie Herron of Barry's Bay, both experienced outdoors people in their 60s, were ice fishing on nearby Bark Lake for walleye when they were attacked by a lone wolf....more

Longer Laker Season ( 136 views)

FMZ 6, which lies immediately north and east of Lake Superior, has had its fishing regulations simplified, while paving the way for specific management plans for the three major lakes in the area. The changes, which are designated in the 2010 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, are...more

On Guard: The Facts About Lyme Disease ( 1,126 views)

Over the last two years , Robert Ralston has seen good days and bad. When he's feeling well, he goes out for brief walks, enjoys the fresh air and his rural surroundings, and dreams of when he will be able to hunt, trap, fish, and work in the outdoors again. When he's feeling poorly, which is more...more

Kawartha Anglers On Ice ( 750 views)

For the first time in more than 80 years, ice fishing will be allowed on the Kawartha Lakes and surrounding waters. The new regulations, which come into effect on January 1, are part of a new management plan for Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 17....more

A Buck in the Bush ( 1,810 views)

The shot felt good, but instead of collapsing on the spot, the deer ran off. And, as it vanished into cover, you couldn't help but be concerned, because you know that even a mortally wounded whitetail can travel a long way before giving up the ghost. As you sit and let your heartbeat...more

The Ups Downs of Shooting ( 1,189 views)

You will never forget again, if you remember that a projectile is only affected by gravity over the horizontal distance it travels, regardless of the up or down angle of the shot. Consider the diagram. The slope represents the path of the shot (in this case a downward angle). Meanwhile, the baseline...more

Gobies on the Move ( 809 views)

Round gobies, invasive fish that have spread quickly throughout Lakes St. Clair, Huron, Ontario, and Erie and slowly through Lake Simcoe and the Kawarthas are now making their way into Great Lake's tributaries, threatening their aquatic ecosystems and species that are rare or at risk....more

Firearms Owners' Privacy Breached ( 1,196 views)

A recent poll of firearms owners is further proof the Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC) can't be trusted to protect confidential user information, says the Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA)....more

Big Game for the Little Rifle ( 1,940 views)

I love squirrel hunting. I believe most hunters would, if they'd just give it a try. To begin with, it's the simplest of all hunting disciplines. A small-game licence, a shotgun or .22, a handful of ammo, and a suitable patch of hardwoods are all you need to enjoy an exciting day afield....more

Huge Laker Taken In Stride ( 1,922 views)

While most people would get a little excited over an 84-pound lake trout, George Kenny is still wondering what all the fuss is about. "I've caught bigger lake trout," said the 69-year-old native of Deline, Northwest Territories (NWT)....more

Drowning Stats Higher for Anglers ( 511 views)

A recently released study examining drowning and other water-related deaths in Canada should serve as a sober reminder to anglers and hunters that safety on the water is crucial. The 24-page study, published by the Canadian Red Cross, the National Association of Coroners, the Canadian Coast Guard...more

Pheasants for Tiny ( 977 views)

Tiny Marsh Wildlife Management Area near Elmvale will once again host a pheasant hunt this fall. The 40-year tradition was halted two years ago due to deteriorating pheasant holding pens. The high cost of rebuilding them prevented further hunts...more

Conservationists Honoured ( 441 views)

Two men who have devoted incredible effort into protecting and enhancing Canada's fish, wildlife, and outdoors heritage were recognized by the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association on March 19....more

Deer Regs Finalized ( 766 views)

Public feedback and early indicators regarding the status of southern-Ontario's deer herd played a major role in curtailing a slew of innovative, and sometimes controversial, changes to the deer-hunting regulations. Among the nixed proposals were a Hunter's Choice Additional Seal...more

It's Miller Time ( 531 views)

The Toronto Sportsmen's Show's (TSS) 63-year run at Exhibition Place is now history, thanks to the city council's anti-gun policies."They pushed us over the edge," said Ray Sriubiskis, vice-president of Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows...more

Hunting the Unhuntable ( 1,180 views)

Serious grouse hunters are possessed by a special kind of crazy. They brave tangles that deter most snakes. They risk being skewered, flayed, and lashed by underbrush for even the remotest possibility of a flush. But, although they might be crazy, they're not stupid. They know that the more...more

Hard Lessons in Pheasant Reintroduction ( 2,026 views)

Ontario's pheasant-reintroduction programme seems to have quickly run its course - and that's unfortunate. I suspect most of us would have jumped at the opportunity to hunt truly wild pheasants again here in our home province. After all, these legendary birds shared an honoured place with...more

10 tips for better grouse hunting ( 2,093 views)

Some hunters seem to have a sixth sense about where ruffed grouse will be located. These are the guys who suddenly become serious and tell you to get ready because the thicket ahead looks "birdy." And, often, the whirring rise of a grouse beneath a pointer or flushing dog proves them correct in the...more

The Jacks are Back ( 2,723 views)

Norfolk County is dotted with tobacco kilns, ginseng gardens, woodlots, century homes, roadside markets, and pretty little towns. It's contained by big skies and fragrant cedar windrows. The people here are rooted in the land; stewardship is important, and simple country traditions still count for...more

Rough Ride for Navigable Waters Act Changes ( 294 views)

At least one aspect of the federal Budget Implementation Act, which received Royal Assent on March 12, caused conservation and environmental watchdog groups across Canada to take notice....more

Walleye on the Moon ( 410 views)

Walleye might once again thrive in the Moon River, thanks to an ambitious spawning-bed enhancement project....more

A Record Event ( 429 views)

When Alex MacCulloch of Ashburn saw a deer approach his stand on the afternoon of last November 20, he had no idea he was looking at Ontario's next non-typical archery record whitetail...more

New Deer Regs Coming ( 163 views)

Proposed amendments to our deer-hunting regulations could mean more hunting opportunities this fall...more