The Outdoor Pressroom

3 Ducks cited for shooting at ducks

Police in Eugene, Ore. have cited three freshmen from the Oregon (University) Ducks basketball team on suspicion of using an air rifle to shoot at ducks and geese in Alton Baker Park. Cited for discharging pellet guns and hunting in Eugene city parks were Michael R. Dunigan, Teondre Javon Williams and Cedric Josh Crittle. All are 19. KATU reports.

Rabid bobcat attacks two in Florida

A bobcat pounced on the back of a Boy Scout hiking in Florida's Withlacoochee State Forest on Saturday, and later bit a nearby landowner, who subsequently killed it. Johnathon Knecht, 10, received scratches and bites while Frank Womack, 71, was bitten on the leg. Update: The carcass tested positive for rabies. Tampa Tribune.

Dog-killing cougar removed from Boulder

Agents with the Colorado Division of Wildlife tranquilized and relocated a mountain lion yesterday after the predator attacked and killed "a white fluffy dog" in a Boulder residential neighborhood. The Camera.

Cops surround cardboard coyotes in Ontario park

When the Sarnia, Ont. city hall staff decided to erect some cardboard coyotes in a city park to scare geese away from the waterfront, they evidently neglected to inform city law enforcement. Responding to a 911 call that a woman jogger heard one of the coyotes "bark" at her, Sarnia Police were dispatched and surrounded the faux critter. In The Record.

NJ reporters, cops need bird ID training

Jorge Hurtado and his wife were heading to work near Parsippany, NJ when a wild turkey crashed through their minivan's windshield, showering them with glass as it hurtled past, landing in the back seat, dead. Problem is, every newspaper and TV station reporting the incident says it was a buzzard. Click photo for enlarged view. Also at Slugs & Plugs.

Deputy who maced rabbit serves 2-month suspension

A Denver (Colo.) Sheriff's deputy who sprayed a rabbit with Mace pepper spray while other deputies watched has returned to jail duty after serving a two-month suspension without pay. Alvin Perez, 41, who pleaded guilty in Denver County Court to one count of animal cruelty, received probation and a $500 fine. Story in The Denver Post.

Arthur Savage: restless overachiever

A fascinating look at the founder of Savage Arms appears in Investor's Business Daily (of all places). Arthur W. Savage had already made his mark as an explorer, cattle baron and coffee grower before he invented the Model 99 lever-action rifle in 1893 that set new standards for innovation in the U.S. gun industry. 

Gator latches on to Floridian's arm

A Taveres, Fla. man's wife used a broom handle to pry a two-foot alligator from his forearm after the amphibious reptile chomped down and wouldn't let go. James Gaff, 52, was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. "I just wanted him out of there, but he was a stubborn little bird," Gaff said. The Orlando Sentinel.

Calif. ATVer has mountain lion face-off

San Francisco Chronicle outdoors scribe Tom Stienstra relates the story of a mushroom hunter who unintentionally drove his ATV between a large mountain lion and its injured cub while in the foothills of Los Padres National Forest. Rather than prolong a potential showdown, Kenneth Ottoboni wisely reversed his direction and made (tire) tracks, Stienstra writes.

Dumb criminal: Armed heist at cop venue foiled

A ne'er-do-well armed with a handgun allegedly attempted to rob a retired NYPD lieutenant at a Harrisburg, Pa. hotel where 300 cops were gathered for a convention. "This is probably the dumbest guy in the state of Pennsylvania," said ex-cop John Comparetto. "He actually walked past a great, big poster that said, 'WELCOME NARCOTICS OFFICERS.'" Read the details in The NY Daily News.

Sign of the times: Hodge leaves Knoxville outdoors beat

As major newspapers across the country reduce newsroom staff and look for ways to cut costs, the outdoors beat (if the paper still had one) is unfortunately often targeted for reduction--or elimination. Saying he saw the writing on the wall, Bob Hodge, the longtime outdoor writer for the Knoxville News Sentinel, has called it quits. Richard Simms reports in the Chattanoogan.

More than 100 bear sightings in Ohio last year

A total of 105 black bear sighting were reported to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in 2008, with 38 of those confirmed, compared to 141 total sightings with 39 confirmed the previous year. The confirmed sightings of 2008 occurred in 11 different counties and involved an estimated 29 different black bears. The Zanesville Times-Recorder.

McGuane in WSJ: On setters and shotguns

Novelist Thomas McGuane examines the charm of "dogs, guns, shells and supper," in a rather unusual (albeit welcomed) feature for The Wall Street Journal.

Amended stream-access bill heads to Montana Senate

The much-amended House Bill 190, which attempts to clarify Montana law on public access to waterways via county roads and bridges, was approved by the Senate Fish and Game Committee on Thursday and now moves on to a vote before the full Senate. The Helena Independent-Record.

Lakemaid Beer returns for another fishing season

Lakemaid Beer, a limited release brew from August Schell Brewing and the Rapala lure company is back for its second season in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Beer labels feature 12 different freshwater mermaids (Lakemaids), including Miss Catfish and Miss Crappie. A portion of the sales of the beer goes to the IGFA for fisheries conservation projects. The Rochester (Minn.) Post-Bulletin and my Slugs & Plugs blog.