The Outdoor Pressroom

Bear dies from bean bag deterrent round

A 60-pound black bear that was becoming a nuisance at a Montana campground died after it was hit in the head by a beanbag round fired by a Stillwater County Sheriff’s deputy. Beanbag rounds—inch-square fabric pillows containing lead shotgun pellets—are often used by wildlife officials as non-lethal alternatives for managing bears and other wildlife. Billings Gazette.

Angler uses fishing rod to fend off robbers

When approached by three black males who brandished a handgun and announced a robbery, police say a 67-year-old angler at a North St. Louis, MO park defended himself with his fishing pole, whacking the three and sending them fleeing. Police later responded to a report of a "cutting" and were met by two teens who said they were attacked by a man with a fishing pole. One was booked into juvenile court and one was treated and booked. Riverfront Times.

Here comes the rut! Buck caught in volleyball net

A report about a young buck in Springfield, Ohio requiring rescue after getting its antlers hopelessly entangled in a backyard volleyball net can only mean one thing: the whitetail rut is fast approaching. WHIO-TV has the story and the video.

6-point buck makes mess of Michigan office

When she heard a crashing sound while sending a fax the corporate offices of Ric's Food Centers in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. early Tuesday morning, Candie Coffell didn't think much of it, that is until she saw the bloodied, six-point buck crash into a wall a few feet away. After tearing through the office and a nearby house, the deer was dispatched by a police office when it ran into traffic. The Morning Sun.

California 'bear woman' heading to court

Lynne Gravier, 76, of Laytonville, CA is facing misdemeanor charges for illegally feeding black bears at her home, allegedly buying as much as 6,000 pounds of corn monthly for the bruins she has given names like Smiley, Goofy and Biggie. Her supporters protested at the county courthouse, castigating prosecutors for what they said was the harassment of "a kind, caring animal lover." They left out "hoarder nutcase." The SF Chronicle.

Lake Powell mule deer caught, released

A 4x4 mule deer buck stranded among the sheer cliffs surrounding Lake Powell survived a water rescue by officers with the the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah State Parks this week. The successful water rodeo involved lassos, bulldogging and hog-tying, before the big buck was hauled into a boat and transported back to dry land, where it was released. Brett Prettyman in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Texas bank welcomes packing patrons

A new policy at the Chappell Hill (Texas) Bank meant to be a deterrent to potential armed robbers encourages those with concealed carry permits to pack their pistols while doing business there. In its 100-plus year history, the bank has been robbed 5 times, and President Ed Smith is determined to prevent a sixth. "You don’t know that Mrs. Middlebrooks doesn’t have a .38 in her purse right there," he said. "And, if you try something nefarious in the bank, you might wind up in a horizontal position." KENS5.com.

PA woman strangles attacking rabid fox

A 61-year-old Pennsylvania woman who had never killed an animal in her life was forced to strangle a rabid fox with her bare hands when the animal attacked her in her Stroudsburg backyard last week. Rachel Cohen is currently undergoing treatment for the virus. "I know it sounds kind of crazy, but I'm kind of glad it had rabies," Cohen said. "Otherwise, I would have killed it for no good reason." The Pocono Record.  

Gov. Rendell signs wildlife violator compact bill

Gov. Ed Rendell has signed Senate Bill 1200, a measure that enrolls Pennsylvania  in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, preventing those convicted of poaching in other states from being able to lawfully hunt in The Keystone State. Pennsylvania will join 37 other states currently providing reciprocity for revocation of hunting and fishing privileges due to court action. PR Newswire.

Oregon hunters warned to avoid pot gardens

Authorities are warning Oregon deer hunters heading to the woods next weekend to steer clear of any suspected marijuana growing gardens for their own safety. Already this season, two bowhunters have reported confrontations with armed guards from suspected marijuana gardens on public land in southern Jackson County. Mark Freeman in the Medford Mail Tribune.

Utah wolf reports equal record set in 2003

Utah wildlife officials report there have been 15 wolf sightings in the Beehive State this year, meeting a record set in 2003, and providing the impetus for members of Utah's congressional delegation to join other lawmakers from the Rocky Mountain West in drafting legislation to remove wolves from the federal endangered species list. Salt Lake Tribune.

Fired wildlife boss at Turner's NM ranch files lawsuit

The longtime wildlife manager at Ted Turner's 578,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch in Northern New Mexico is claiming he was wrongfully fired from his position because he didn't attend Bible classes run by the ranch's new general manager. Jim Baker, who has worked and lived at the ranch since 1975, continued as wildlife manager after Turner Enterprises bought it in 1991. The ranch is known for its top dollar trophy elk hunts and other big game. Santa Fe New Mexican.

Wisc. DNR to trap wolves after hunting dog attacked

After what is believed to be the first verified attack by wolves on a bird-hunting dog in a bird hunting situation in Wisconsin, the DNR has announced it will take lethal control action on the Bear Bluff Pack in Jackson County that has "become too familiar to humans." The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.

Giving injured seagull a ride leads to crash

Steven Bunker, 17, of Trenton, ME thought he was doing the humane thing when he stopped his 1995 GMC pickup to rescue an injured seagull—until the bird sprang to life and began flying around inside the truck's cab. Bunker subsequently lost control of his vehicle and slammed it into a utility pole, causing $1,500 in damage. The Ellsworth American.

Louisiana nutria bounty paying multiple dividends

Louisiana hunters & trappers turned in a record 445,963 nutria tails for bounty payments during the 2009-10 season, nearly 12,000 more than the year before, easily beating the yearly average of about 304,000, according to state Wildlife and Fisheries. "It's a successful program for restoring marsh," said LDWF program director Edmond Mouton. "But it's also good for the local economy, because it puts money in trappers' pockets." Times Picayune.