Tampa Bay Times writer Craig Pittman reports scientists found that between 2003 and 2011, the areas of Florida's Everglades where pythons have proliferated saw a 99 percent decrease in raccoons, a 98 percent drop in opossums, a 94 percent drop in whitetail deer and an 87 percent falloff of bobcats."We observed no rabbits or foxes," the report noted.
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January 2012
January 31, 2012
Furry fury: NP ranger tases man walking lapdogs off-leash
Witnesses say a National Park Service ranger at northern California's Golden Gate National Recreation Area used an electronic stun on a man walking two small dogs without a leash who allegedly gave the female ranger a false name. Gary Hesterberg was charged with suspicion of failing to obey a lawful order, having dogs off-leash and knowingly providing false information. He was later released. SF Chronicle.
Barking sheepdogs and other Colorado backcountry terrors
As a follow-up to yesterday's post about Colorado hikers and bicyclists who feel intimidated by ranchers' sheepdogs in the San Juan National Forest, we felt compelled to share Alan Prendergast's column on Westword.com, which details the "five top terrors" facing those tenacious enough to face the hardships of untamed wilderness, including (#5) Rocks, (#4) Trees and (#1) Ultraviolet Rays. Hat tip to the Westerner blog.
Stoners: Bus bust at Petrified Forest NP nets rocks, pot
Rangers at Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park responding to a report about visitors illegally collecting artifacts performed a search of the group's bus and its 12 occupants, finding 12 pounds of petrified wood, 2 pounds of rocks, 3 pounds of marijuana, 9 pounds of food with THC content, a quantity of bath salts and hashish, numerous smoking pipes and $2,941 in cash. National Parks Traveler with a hat tip to The Goat.
New Amazon acquisition to take on Cabela's & Bass Pro?
The current buzz among investor and business columnists indicates that the recent acquisition by online merchandizing giant Amazon of Quidzi.com points to a move by the e-commerce subsidiary to aggressively enter the outdoor gear sales catagory in coming months. If so, Amazon would be going up against retailers like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Dick's Sporting Goods and others, analysts at Credit Suisse said Monday. Reuters.
January 30, 2012
UKC Coonhound Championships head to Louisiana
The 2012 UKC Coonhound Championships and the UKC World Bench Championships will be held at Hamel’s Park, near Shreveport, LA on Sept. 20-22, marking the first time the event has been held in Louisiana. "This event hasn't been held in the South since the late 1980s, so we're excited to bring it here," said Kelly Wells, with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. UKC and Sulphur Daily News.
Freedom Group acquires Para USA
Freedom Group Inc. (FGI), parent company of Remington Arms, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker and others, today announced the acquisition of Para USA, Inc. "Para is a perfect complement to our industry-leading family of brands, and our success in 2011 with the Remington R1-1911," said E. Scott Blackwell, FGI Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Press release.
A card-carrying, 386-year-old hunter?
When Joe "Porky" Porcarelli received his New Mexico Game and Fish Department Mobility Impaired Certification card earlier this month, he immediately realized there must be some mistake. While Joe's no spring chicken at 86 years of age, the ID card lists his birthdate as June 8, 1625! Read more at my Headline Hunter blog.
In 30 years, B&C trophy whitetail entries jump 400%
Calling it "a story for all conservationists to celebrate," the Boone and Crockett Club reports its historic data indicates that trophy whitetail entries have increased 400 percent during the past 30 years of record keeping. From 1980-1985, hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails into B&C, compared to 3,090 from 2005-2010. For the latter scoring period, Wisconsin led all states with 383 entries. See more data.
Michigan UP 'ice rage' incident lands angler in hospital
An ice angler was seriously injured by a snowmobiler who apparently purposely struck him after the two argued Saturday on Garden Bay. The Delta County (Mich.) Sheriff's Department reports the snowmobiler first drove dangerously close to the victim and his tip-up rig, sparking a confrontation. The snowmobiler fled the scene. Escanaba Daily Press.
Nevada high court: No antique guns for felons
The Nevada Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that the state law banning felons from owning firearms also extends to antique and muzzleloading replica guns, or any firearm "loaded or unloaded, operable or inoperable." In her written ruling, Justice Kristina Pickering acknowledged federal law permits felons to possess black powder rifles, but noted the law "does not mandate that Nevada follow suit." Auction Central News.
SW Colo. hikers, bikers complain about sheepdog use
Some San Juan National Forest hikers and bicyclists complain that Akbash sheepdogs used by ranchers to protect their livestock from coyotes and other predators intimidate them and should be banned by the U.S. Forest Service. But rancher and state Rep. J. Paul Brown of Ignacio defends the use of the breed that originated in Turkey. "We cut our loss to predators by 60 to 70 percent when we introduced dogs," Brown said. Durango Herald.
Bad move: Gun show vendor shoots his hand
Knoxville (TN) Police report Bill Adams, 44, a vendor at the Knoxville Knife and Gun Show, received non life-threatening injuries Sunday after shooting himself in the hand with his personal Kimber .45 cal. handgun while he apparently showed it to a customer. Potential Darwin material? Knoxville News Sentinel.
Bunny-hunting beagles rescued from 100-foot well
When Alvin Dixon lost two beagles during a rabbit hunt near Clover, Va. Saturday morning, a quick search located the pair at the bottom of a 100-foot abandoned well. Ray Conner of the South Boston Fire Department was lowered into the well and successfully toted them to safety, said Animal Control Officer Todd Moser. "He said both beagles seemed relieved to see him and jumped on his lap licking him,” said Moser. Gazette Virginian.
January 29, 2012
Activists howl over depiction of wolves in 'The Grey'
Animal activists are already in a tizzy with this weekend's opening of the Hollywood thriller, The Grey," in which a group of oil-rig roughnecks stranded in a remote part of Alaska battle attacking wolves. Wolf advocate Wendy Keefover of WildEarth Guardians is calling for a boycott of the film, claiming it’s "inciting terror" of wolves like Jaws did with sharks. The Daily Beast.
