The Outdoor Pressroom

Woman uses shotgun to club bear attacking her hubby

A Wisconsin woman trying to save her husband from an attacking black bear outside their Marinette County cabin on Wednesday fetched a shotgun from the basement and used it to batter the bruin on the head, because she didn't know how to load the weapon. Gerre Ninnemann, the husband, was treated for non-life threatening bites, while a responding deputy shot and killed the bear. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Northernmost recorded Asian carp arrowed in Minnesota

A Mississippi River bowfisherman north of Sartell, Minn. last week shot a 25-pound, egg-filled grass carp, an exotic species previously found only much further south in Minnesota, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Biologists believe the fish could not have gotten past the dams at Coon Rapids, St. Cloud and Sartell, and assume it likely escaped via flood waters from a private pond, or was intentionally released. MDNR.

Texas teen bags state record gator

Texas Parks and Willdife is reporting that Braxton Bielski, an 18-year-old high school senior, bagged what is likely new state record, 800-pound, 14-foot, 3-inch gator during a recent public hunt on the James E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area about 90 miles south of San Antonio. Braxton and his father, Troy Bielski, were among 481 applicants vying for 10 permits issued through the agency’s public hunting program for a five-day hunt. TPWD and Houston Chronicle.

Wisconsin crossbow bill apparently on fast-track

Legislation permitting crossbows in Wisconsin's archery-only hunting seasons appears on the fast-track for passage, and may be implemented in time for the 2013 deer season. Supporters of AB 194 include the Wisconsin Crossbow Federation, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, NRA, SCI and United Sportsmen of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Bowhunters Association does not oppose the latest version that creates a separate crossbow license. Paul Smith in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Morel relativism: Mushroom hunter dies in freak accident

Medical investigators in Seneca County, Ohio say Kyle Tanner, 24, of Fostoria, died Saturday in what they now believe was a freak accident while he was hunting wild mushrooms on priovate property near Bascom. Sheriff's Sgt. Kevin Reinbolt said Tanner, who was found by a mushroom-hunting companion, apparently fell and hit his head or was struck by a falling tree limb, resulting in a fatal head injury. Toledo Blade.

Deer boards bus through windshield, exits through door

A whitetail deer crashed through the windshield of a Johnstown, Pa. city bus carrying one passenger Tuesday evening, reports today's Tribune-Democrat. "The driver immediately stopped the bus," said CamTran spokesman Josh Yoder. "He opened the door and the deer just walked off the bus." Not enough doe for the bus fare, we surmise.

DEET, estrogen & cocaine found in Minnesota lakes

The results of a new report released Monday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) indicates that traces of man-made chemicals including DEET, cocaine, synthetic estrogen, antibiotics and antidepressants were found in 50 lakes chosen at random across the state. The insect repellent DEET was found in 76 percent of the lakes, and cocaine, in a finding that stunned the researchers, was found in 32 percent. Mnpls Star Tribune.

Poaching Colorado park ranger demoted

Travis McKay, a park ranger at the Trinidad Lake State Park in Colorado, who was cited in October for poaching a trophy mule deer after hunting hours while using artificial light, has been fined and demoted—not fired—by the Parks and Wildlife Department. P&W Director Rick Calbes said this week he believes the punishment was adequate, though he acknowledged there were those in the department who disagree. Denver Post.

Chicago museum prohibited from displaying WWII handgun

After receiving items belonging to the estate of Major General William Levine, one of the highest ranking Jewish Generals in US Army history, Chicago's Pritzker Military Library learned that city ordinance prohibits display of the Walther PP Levine obtained during the liberation of Dachau. "We realized when we received that gift that we couldn't keep that gun in the city of Chicago," said museum CEO Ken Clarke. WLS.

ATK to acquire Savage Arms

ATK announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire Caliber Company, the parent company of Savage Sports Corporation, with locations in Westfield, Mass. and Lakefield, Ont., for $315 million in cash. ATK’s ammunition brands include Federal Premium, CCI, Fusion, Speer, Estate Cartridge and Blazer, and other brands include BLACKHAWK!, Alliant Power, RCBS, Gunslick Pro and Outers gun-care products, and Weaver optics and mounting systems. PRNewswire.

History-making: No Pennsylvania hunting accident fatalities

A new report by the Pennsylvania Game Commission reveals that for the first time since it began documenting hunting and trapping-related shooting incidents in 1915, a year has ended without a single fatality in The Keystone State. Additionally in 2012, there was not a single shooting incident during the fall turkey season, and no incidents involving participants in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Oregon smokejumpers land in pot-grow site

A team of U.S. Forest Service smokejumpers parachuted into a 1,500-plant clandestine marijuana-growing site in Southern Oregon this week while searching for lightning-sparked fires in the region. Authorities were notified and subsequently removed the plants. The grow site was littered with hills of garbage, much of it harmful chemicals that can pollute soil and streams in the area, officials said. Medford Mail Tribune.

N. Minnesota 2013 fishing opener is on ice

Duluth News-Tribune outdoors writer Sam Cook reports that not since 1950 have northern Minnesotans faced an opening day of fishing when most lakes remained covered with a few feet of ice. "I’ve been guiding 34 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it," said Grand Rapids fishing guide Tom Neustrom. "It’s a disappointment. It’s the biggest weekend of the year. It’s a tremendous revenue loss. Are they going to make it up? No."

86,228: NRA Annual Meeting shatters attendance record

The National Rifle Association’s 142nd Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held May 3-5 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, shattered previous attendance records, reports the Trade Show News Network. With the motto of “Stand and Fight”, 86,228 attendees were officially recorded, compared with the NRA’s previous record of 73,740 set last year in St. Louis.

Crime biter: Suspect fleeing Florida cops attacked by gator

A suspect who fled from Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies after a routine traffic stop was attacked by an alligtor and later found at a local hospital being treasted for multiple puncture wounds to his face and arm. Bryan Zuniga, 20, was arrested and charged with breaking or injuring fences, fleeing a Police Officer, driving while driver’s licenses suspended/revoked and resisting an officer without violence. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Michigan governor signs pro-hunting legislation

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Wednesday that effectively will block animal rights groups' efforts to force a statewide vote on a 2012 law that allows wolf hunting. Senate Bills 288 and 289 allow the Natural Resources Commission to name game species, grant the Commission exclusive authority over fisheries orders, as it currently has with game orders and establish a right-to-hunt statute. Detroit News.

S. Arizona rock climber dies from hundreds of bee stings

Tucson rock climber Steven Johnson, 55, who was found suspended from anchors off a sheer cliff near Mt. Hopkins in Santa Cruz County, died as a result of “mass envenomation” resulting from hundreds of bee stings, said Dr. Gregory Hess, chief medical examiner. Johnson’s dog, which also was attacked by bees, was found dead on top of the ridge that Johnson was rappelling. Arizona Daily Star.

Florida scientists confirm new black bass species

Scientists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have uncovered a new species of black bass in the southeastern United States and have have proposed naming it the Choctaw bass. Very similar in appearance to the spotted bass, the physical differences between the two species are not easily seen with the naked eye, one reason they had never before been distinguished despite decades of bass studies in the region. FWC.

In 7 months, 6,000+ coyotes qualify for $50 Utah bounty

In the seven months since Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources launched its $50 coyote bounty program, more than 6,000 dead coyotes have been redeemed for payment. John Shivik, DWR mammals coordinator, says the agency has been “collecting what looks like it will be excellent data to help us evaluate how effective our efforts are.” KSL.

Post hunt, Wisconsin wolf number down just slightly

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports its 2013 wolf count indicated a minimum of 809 to 834 wolves statewide, including 215 packs and 15 lone wolves, compared to 815 to 880, including 213 packs and 20 lone wolves counted in 2012. Last fall, hunters and trappers took 117 wolves statewide. Sam Cook in the Duluth News Tribune.

Ohio city reduces deer-cull cost to 'only' $132K

The city of Solon, Ohio, which has steadfastly ignored the success other cities in the state have experienced from utilizing bowhunters to cull troublesome urban deer, spent $132,719 on USDA sharpshooters and related expenses to have around 200 deer culled this past winter. It was around $50,000 LESS than was spent on the previous year's cull. SolonPatch.com.

TWRA won't enforce Corps' tailwater fishing ban

Following last week's announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that it intends to move forward with its controversial ban on fishing from boats both above and below Cumberland River watershed dams, Ed Carter, executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, was quick to announce TWRA would not enforce the restriction. AP.

Kentucky sells record $7M in fishing, hunting licenses in April

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reports it sold more than $7 million in hunting and fishing licenses in April – an all-time record for the month. "We broke the previous record for the month of April by $140,000," said agency Budget Director Scott King. "It's also $800,000 more than our average for April." KDFWR.