"Actually, those two bills that were introduced did us a favor by galvanizing up the sportsmen to do some serious voting," stated Mauro. "It all goes to prove that if the sportsmen get off their duffs, they can accomplish something."

This Saturday, Nov. 10, small game hunters will venture into New Jersey woods and fields as the 2007 Small Game Season opens. At that time bobwhite quail, coyote, fox, grouse, pheasant, chucker, rabbit, jackrabbit and squirrel will become legal game.

Some of these animals have already come into season, but will continue through the small game season. In most cases, the hunting hours are from sunrise to one hour after sunset. In addition, the quail season has been divided into two areas with corresponding dates.

As ever, be sure to consult the 2007 Hunting and Trapping issue of the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest, available free wherever hunting licenses are sold. It contains all the hunting dates, bag limits and a listing of the many special variances that are applied to many of the seasons.

Keep in mind that when hunting for pheasants and quail, a special pheasant and quail stamp is necessary when using the many Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout New Jersey.

According to the N.J. Division of Fish & Wildlife, it will have put out in excess of 60,000 pheasants and also released 11,000 quail on selected WMAs. It is essential that hunters refrain from hunting or carry a loaded firearm or cocked bow and arrow within the safety zone of 450 feet from a building or school playground, even if not occupied.

In addition, firearm hunters must wear a cap made of solid daylight fluorescent orange or an outer garment containing at least 200 square inches of the fluorescent orange material visible from all sides.

The Raccoon Creek Boat Club on Island Road in Bridgeport, N.J. will be holding a Coast Guard boaters safety course. The date is Sunday, Dec. 9 and the time is 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. This is the eight hour mandatory N.J. safety course. Treasurer Vince Dwyer tells me that limited seating is still available. The coast is $60 per person and interested boaters should contact Vince Dwyer at 856-297-8624 or Wayne Fisher at 856-467-2936.

You may purchase breakfast and lunch or bring your own. Attendance will be by advance reservation only with payment. Make checks payable to the Raccoon Creek Boat Club.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 6, the Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Tournament had the 961 registered anglers inking in a total of 57 striped bass and 249 bluefish. There's been a better ratio of bass to bluefish, but unless there is a real blitz of stripers during the latter part of this week or during next week's last gasp of the tournament, the bluefish will have greatly overpopulated the contest by a great margin. Bunker was undoubtedly the favorite bait and the catches were scattered throughout the island.

Stripers are turning on in Delaware Bay and all that is needed is some decent weather to get to them. After postponing the Sportsman's Cove Marina's Striper Tournament from the previous week, it looked as if last weekend would be a washout as well. Saturday was a windstorm, but Sunday was just fishable.

The 37 boats that participated weighed-in a total of 14 stripers with the following declared the winners.

First, Mel Coombs (42-1/2 pounds). The next three winners all put 28 pounders on the scales Denny Smith, Kenny Mack and Joe Musso. Fifth place went to Ben Jones for his 26-1/2 pounder. Other good bass reports came from the Port Norris Marina, where several nice stripers were put on their scales.

This weekend will see the Bay Point/Toadfish Derby. Hopefully decent weather will greet the fishermen.