The Outdoor Pressroom

Pre-schooler uses muzzleloader to take 2 deer

Cale Myers weighs under 50 pounds and won't start first grade until next year, but he killed two deer—including a 6-point buck—while hunting with his dad as part of Michigan's new Hunter Mentor Program in recent weeks. Cale shot both deer using a Thompson Center Omega X7 muzzleloader, with a stock shortened by his dad, Chad, who incidentally didn't kill his first deer 'til the ripe old age of 12. Louie Stout in The Goshen News.

Right to hunt, fish & farm amendment pre-filed in Missouri

Missouri State Rep. Jason Smith has prefiled a constitutional amendment to protect the right of Missourians to hunt, fish and farm. “One way to ensure out-of-state special interests don’t pass rules restricting the number of cows that a rancher can own, or pass rules making it illegal to hunt deer, is to protect the right to hunt, fish and farm in our state’s constitution.” said Smith, R-Salem. Rolla Daily News.

Free Texas CHL course for teachers draws 400

Within 24 hours of announcing a free concealed handgun licensing course for educators, Lonestar Handgun, located in Schertz, Texas, had filled all 400 available slots for the 10-hour class. "We're trying to educate the educators and get forward momentum in the Legislature to allow teachers and any other concealed handgun license holder into schools or any other public place," said owner Josh Felker. "Gun-free zones are not gun-free to criminals." San Antonio Express-News.

Montana hunter 'unbags' deer

A Whitefish, Mont. man and avid deer hunter believes he saved a deer from an early demise after he discovered it outside his home and bumping into things with a plastic birdseed bag stuck over its head. Joey Gebbia said after several attempts he was able to get close enough to the disorientated animal to remove the obstruction. KPAX.com.

Bad idea: Exploding target material used to start campfire

The Kootenai (Idaho) County Sheriff’s Office reports that two men were injured when they attempted to start a fire using some of their leftover exploding target material as an accelerant at an area commonly known as the Hayden Creek shooting pit. One man was taken to Kootenai Medical Center via ambulance, where he was listed in serious condition Saturday afternoon. KREM.com.

Michigan governor signs wolf legislation

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced late Friday that he had signed a bill declaring the gray wolf as a game animal. The legislation clears the way for the state’s Natural Resources Commission to allow a hunt, perhaps as early as 2013, a move supported by the Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. MLIve.com.

Feral cat uses pet door, attacks homeowner

A Cape Corral, Fla. woman and her daughter were treated for scratches and bites after a feral cat gained entrance to their home through a doggie door and attacked them. The animal was captured by animal control authorities and quarantined. WINK, with a hat tip to Don Zaidle at Texas Fish & Game.

Some don't 'like' Facebook posting of hunter's lion

A photo on Big Sky Brewing Co.’s Facebook page of a female employee with a mountain lion she killed on a recent hunting trip received 389 "likes" on the social networking site by Thursday, reports the Great Falls Tribune. Some, however, have threatened to boycott the brewer over the photo. We say they're probably wine drinkers, anyway. Brewery president Neal Leathers said he has no intentions of removing the shot.

'Gun' that emptied theater turns out to be sub sandwich

The report of someone with a gun at a Florida movie house resulted in the evacuaction of Epic Theatre in St. Augustine on Wednesday afternoon. Upon investigation, detectives with the St. John County Sheriff's Department found the prepetrator was attempting to smuggle a sub sandwich into the movie. Florida Times-Union.

Pair of coyote 'episodes' reported on Boulder, Colo. trail

Officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife say there have been two reports of coyotes menacing people—a bicyclist and a woman walking her dog—on the eastern portion of the Boulder Creek Path in the past four days. One incident was ended only after a woman used a stick to strike the coyote repeatedly to drive it away. Denver Post.

Ice-fishing musical to debut in Wisconsin

Perhaps it will never be on a par with Oklahoma! or Music Man, but, then again, we don't believe there has ever been a musical comedy set in an ice-fishing shanty. Guys on Ice, written and performed by the five Danielson brothers who grew up in Cadott, Wis., will debut at the Heyde Center for the Arts on Jan. 4. The plot features fishing buddies Marvin and Lloyd, who discuss life, love and dreams while drinking Leinienkugel's beer as they wait for the host of a local fishing show. The Chippewa Herald.

NC possum drop may feature roadkill for New Year

With a judge's ruling favoring a lawsuit brought by extreme animal rights group People of the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the promoter of the annual Brasstown, NC New Year's possum drop will be barred from using a live marsupial to bring in 2012 as it has for the past 19 years. “We’re still going to do the event,” said Clay Logan, owner of Clay’s Corner store. “We just don’t know who the guest of honor will be.” Asheville Citizen-Times.

Free gun training offered to 200 Utah teachers

The Utah Shooting Sports Council anounced today it would waive its normal $50 fee for concealed-weapons training for 200 teachers. "Schools are some of the safest places in the world, but I think teachers understand that something has changed -- the sanctity of schools has changed," said gun instructor Clark Aposhian. Utah is one of the few states that permit CCW holders to carry in public schools without exception. AP.

UN votes to reopen arms-trade treaty talks

The United Nations General Assembly on Monday voted to reconsider an international treaty to regulate the global arms trade, a move that's expected to intensify another high-profile fight between the administration, which backs the treaty, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) which says it will restrict the domestic sale of firearms. The General Assembly set the final round of negotiations on the treaty for March 2013. The Hill.

Study: Elk would bring fiscal windfall to Maryland counties

A new report by Responsiv e Management commissioned by the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and paid for by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation indicates that a proposed reintroduction of Rocky Mountain elk into Garrett and Allegany counties would generate elk-based tourism, bringing $3.1 million each year to the region. Mike Sawyers in the Cumberland Times-News.