By most accounts, the impending fall of Canada's notorious long-gun registry is credited to the current Conservative majority in the House of Commons. But, as our longtime associate and pal Frank Miniter describes in his Forbes piece today, much of the credit goes to Parliamentarian Garry Breitkreuz, who doggedly researched and subsequently exposed how much the registry cost Canadians and how ineffective it was at reducing crime.
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February 2012
February 29, 2012
West Virginia deer farm bill passes Senate
A measure that removes captive cervids from the Division of Natural Resources' authority and places it with the Department of Agriculture passed the West Virginia Senate Tuesday and heads to the House of Delegates for consideration. The measure is opposed by the DNR, which argues that captive deer operations could jeopardize wild deer herds and the future of hunting. Beckley Register-Herald and AP.
20 years later: How 'The Movie' changed Montana
2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the quintessential fishing movie, "A River Runs Through It," and Bozeman Daily Chronicle writer Carly Flandro takes a look back at how the project began, and how it has impacted the lives of some residents in southwestern Montana. "Some people say we had a hand in ruining Montana," says co-producer Patrick Markey. "Growth scares everyone. It's good for many, though." Hat tip to Midcurrent.
Animal rights 'farm fraud' bill goes to Iowa governor
With Gov. Terry Brandstad's expected signature, Iowa will be first to enact a measure to prosecute animal rights activists who fraudulently obtain employment at a farm or animal-related business in order to record sights and sounds without prior permission from the farmer or business owner. "This is a very, very positive step for agriculture," said House Agriculture Committee chairwoman Rep. Annette Sweeney (R-Alden). Quad City Times.
Deer credited with saving woman from attacker
Police in Oxford, Ohio say a woman was attacked by an unknown assailant as she left a party about 1:00 a.m. Sunday and walked near a field. The commotion of the attack woke a sleeping deer, and caused the attacker to flee. "The deer jumped up and ran…and so did he," said Sgt. Jon Varley. Cincinnati Enquirer.
February 28, 2012
Calif. game commish steps up, not down
Dan Richards, the embattled California Fish and Game Commission president under fire from animal rights groups and state Democratic Assembly members for traveling to Idaho for a legal non-resident mountain lion hunt last month says he has no plans to step down. "I'm not apologizing about anything because I didn’t do anything illegal," Richards said. "I didn't share it with the world. The (HSUS) shared it with the world. There is zero resign in me." UT San Diego.
AKC: Lab remains America's top registered breed
The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced today that the Labrador retriever has retained its "Top Dog" status as America's number one registered breed for the 21st consecutive year. Following Labs in popularity among AKC-registered breeds are German shepherds, beagles and golden retrievers.
FWS to remove 4 wolves roaming Wyoming subdivision
For the past month, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents have been observing four gray wolves that have been brazenly running through neighborhoods in and around Jackson, and have announced to plans to kill the predators because are too habituated to humans. Plans including aerial darting and lethal injection. Jackson Hole News and Guide.
Bill would piggyback Minn. wolf hunt with deer season
Under legislation being considered this week in the Minnesota House environment and natural resources committee, the state's first wolf hunting season would begin on the same day this fall as the state's regular firearms deer season opener. The Minn. Department of Natural Resources has proposed starting the wolf season after the deer hunt has ended. AP.
Florida man finds his boat for sale on Craigslist
A Manatee, Fla. man who agreed to sell his boat, without a trailer, for $2,500 to a man who gave him $800 cash with a promise to pay him the remaining $1,700 later, has received neither the balance nor his trailer returned. Instead, he discovered his boat listed for sale on the internet commerce site, Craigslist. Bradenton Herald.
Council to advise Pa. governor on hunting, fishing issues
By executive order, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has created the Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation to help ensure the concerns of hunters, anglers and other sportsmen are being properly addressed. York Daily Record.
California poachers receive heavy fines
Three Stockton, Calif. men convicted of poaching violations in connection with an operation that sold deer meat to a network of buyers have been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $100,270. The three reportedly killed everything from bucks to pregnant does, making multiple trips each week to the region's forests. Stockton Record.
February 27, 2012
Lone wolf makes 'daylight trot' through Montana city
A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist viewing a police dashboard camera has confirmed a lone gray wolf trotted through northwest Kalispell Saturday morning, cutting between houses and near the city's middle school. Erik Wenum said the wolf was wearing a radio collar, but biologists were unable to pick up a signal to determine its origin. Daily Inter Lake and AP.
Fatal 2010 crash leads to increased drone use by biologists
The 2010 crash of a chartered helicopter in Kamiah, Idaho that killed Department of Fish and Game biologists Larry Barrett and Danielle Schiff and pilot Perry Krinitt has led to the increased use of drone aircraft to conduct aerial surveys for wildlife counts and other projects. Earlier this month, Congress inserted language into an FAA funding bill that eased many restrictions and allows broader use of drones. Idaho Statesman.
'Gorgeous' eelpout is new Minnesota record
Few anglers share Aaron Guthrie's view of the eelpount, a slimy, snake-like freshwater cod also known as a burbot. But few can deny Guthrie's 19.5 pounder caught while fishing in his ice house on Lake of the Woods last week is record-book worthy, surpassing the current record of 19.3 pounds. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime 'pout,'' Guthrie said. "It's going on the wall. It's a state record. I'm not going to eat it." Doug Smith in the Mnpls Star-Tribune.
