A Natural Resources Board wildlife advisory question regarding the use of nontoxic shot on state lands has a widely-respected state birding expert hopeful.

Bill Mueller of Milwaukee, the Conservation Chair of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and Issues Committee Chair of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative, said hunters and anglers have a chance tonight to prove they care as much about wildlife and the environment as they do the game and fish they seek.

"Getting rid of lead is the right thing to do," Mueller said. "It benefits wildlife and demonstrates to everyone that, as in the past, hunters and fishers can be in the forefront of conservation efforts."

Those attending the annual state Department of Natural Resources spring fish and wildlife rules hearings and Conservation Congress meetings tonight will be able to vote on two questions regarding the use of nontoxic shot on state lands.

Outdoor calendar

Saturday: Fort A.P. Hill Youth Trout Fishing Tournament, 8 a.m.--3:30 p.m. $10/child (15 and younger). Prizes for heaviest single trout and heaviest total stringer weight. Rain or shine. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Game Check Station. Call 804/633-8219 for more details

May 5: Family River Safety Hike. River safety instructor Lou Gramann teaches how to safely enjoy the Rappahannock River. 10 a.m.-noon. Rain or Shine. Free. Reservations required. Call 540/373-3448.

May 26: Deadline for entries in the ninth annual "Take Dad Fishing for Father's Day" contest. Ages 13-under. Write, by hand, in 250 words or less why you want to take Dad fishing for Father's Day.

Ready for takeoff

Richard Hrabko walked the concourses as Lambert Field's interim director in late 2004 looking for the quick and, sometimes, obvious fixes — adding plants near baggage claim, ordering fresh paint in the parking garage and adding more metal detectors at the Concourse A checkpoint.

Hrabko returns to Lambert with the same determination on Monday, but this time as its permanent chief. He leaves the helm at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, where he's worked 43 years.

"I always told him that's his baby. He raised it," St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said, referring to Spirit, the day Hrabko's new job was announced.

At Lambert, Hrabko will oversee efforts to lure more air service to St. Louis and keep the airport on track financially.