On the recommendation of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, two campgrounds in the Daniel Boone National Forest have been closed until further notice until black bears that have been raiding camps can be trapped and relocated or it's been verified they have left the area. AP.
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July 2012
July 31, 2012
High temps close Yellowstone, Montana rivers to fishing
Unrelenting heat has led to afternoon fishing restrictions on Montana's Smith, Dearborn and Sun Rivers, as well as the closure of fishing in portions of three rivers in Yellowstine National Park, blogs Rich Landers of the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
California deer-roadkill study price tag: $300,000
In California, where it seems like a city a week is declaring bankruptcy, researchers from Caltrans, the Department of Fish and Game and UC Davis have embarked on a $300,000 study to determine why an average ONE DEER A MONTH becomes roadkill while crossing Interstate 280 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The "goal" is to determine why older deer tend to survive along the busy freeway, while the younger ones are more likely to become roadkill. We're not making this up. SF Chronicle.
Dry conditions lead to bear troubles in Colorado
The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife is blaming abnormally dry conditions on the high number of bear/human encounters and the need to euthanize 20 black bears in the area around Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley during the months of June and July. In Aspen, police have responded to 140 bear-related calls in the past two months. Aspen Daily News.
July 30, 2012
Annual 'Redneck Fishing Tournament' this weekend
You know what they say to do when life hands you a lemon--you make lemonade! That's what the folks who live near the Illinois River community of Bath decided to do in 2005 when the river became infiltrated with those pesky, leaping, invasive Asian carp. And now, each August, they hold Central Illinois' craziest fishing contest, The Redneck Fishing Tournament, in which hundreds of lunatics flock to the Boat Tavern to particpate (52 boats in 2011) and watch the events. The Springfield Journal-Review.
EHD outbreak reported in Nebraska
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reporting an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, commonly known a bluetongue, among deer along portions of the Platte River, and possibly over a much wider area. EHD is a virus spread by midge bites, most commonly during drought periods when deer congregate near water sources.
July 29, 2012
Short-handed Florida tour boat operator faces charges
Wallace Weatherholt, 63, the South Florida tour boat operator who lost his hand to a chomping gator while allegedly chumming the reptiles in front of his passengers has been officially charged and faces a fine up to $500 and possible jail time. After the attack, Florida Fish and Wildlife officers launched an investigation into whether the Weatherholt had fed or provoked the alligator. Ft. Myers News-Press.
Kit Carson's Model 1816 flintlock heads to auction in Santa Fe
An August 11 auction in Santa Fe, NM will feature more than a dozen personal effects of noted scout and pioneer frontiersman Kit Carson (1809-1868), including a .54 cal. U.S.-issued flintlock pistol used during the Mexican-American War, which is expected to fetch up to $25,000. Santa Fe New Mexican.
Hillbilly handfishin'? Don't try it in Iowa.
Larry Finstad was so excited about using his hands to catch a 30-pound flathead catfish in Iowa's Nishnabotna River that he informed his local newspaper of his feat. An alert reader of the Harlan Tribune notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and now Finstad faces a $117 fine, because noodling is not allowed in The Hawkeye State. The DNR blames Finstad's legal misstep on the popularity of reality TV shows like "Hillbilly Handfishin'" and "Mudcats," noting it wasn't the agency's first citation for illegal noodling this summer.
U.S. men's archery team ends medal drought, wins silver
Despite an agonizing one-point loss to Italy on the final arrow, the U.S. men's archery team ended its 12-year drought by winning its first Olympic medal since 2000, a silver, in Saturday's competition at Lord's Cricket Ground. "I'm very excited to talk to you with a silver medal around my neck," archer and bowhunter Brady Ellison of Glendale, Ariz. told the Arizona Republic.
Rhode shoots her way to Olympic history
California shotgunner Kim Rhode made Olympic history Sunday as the first American to win individual medals at five consecutive Olympics, with a sensational display in women's skeet. Rhode hit 99 of 100 targets–also an Oympic record–on her way to winning the Gold Medal. USA Today actually has the story, along with Kim's photo, and not an accompanying photo of a member of the U.S. Swim Team, like The Washington Post.
Catfish gives little noodler a wild ride
When Mikie Webb, 11, spotted a big flathead in a shallow part of the family's Union Grove, Tx. pond, he didn't hesitate. "I grabbed it through the gills and it took off and took me under," he said. "But I held on and wasn’t going to let go." Luckily, his 18-year-old brother, Tyler, witnessed his kid brother's noodling attempt and pulled both fish (51 pounds) and boy (100 pounds) safely back to the shore. Longview News-Journal.
July 28, 2012
Urine for it: Pub owner uses cougar pee to repel coyotes
The owner of Grumpy White's Restaurant and Pub in Quincy, Mass. has gone to great lengths to keep a pack of coyote pups from frequenting his establishment and frightening patrons and employees. "I went to the hardware store and purchased some mountain lion urine, and took the vials and hung them in the trees," owner Bob White said. "It seems to be working a bit." Boston Globe and CBS.
U.N. fails to ratify arms treaty
Talks at the United Nations stalled Friday in the month-long negotiations to reach an internantional treaty aimed at regulating world trade of weapons among nations. Talks hit an impasse when several nations, including the U.S., asked for additional time to consider the proposed treaty. At least 51 U.S. senators had vowed to vote against any treaty that involved civilian arms. The UN may take up the matter at a later date, but for now it is on indefinite hiatus. AP.
July 27, 2012
Lion sought that stalked Montana campers
Wildlife officials in Montana are looking for an aggressive mountain lion that stalked adults camping at the Harpers Lake Fishing Access Site near Clearwater Junction and came within 20 feet of a small child while resisting efforts to scare it away. "Normally a lion that crosses paths with someone will leave the area after an initial attempt to frighten it away, but its behavior in this case is extremely unusual and merits extra precautions," said FWP's Mike Thompson. Helena I-R.
