The Outdoor Pressroom

Smith & Wesson names firearms unit president

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. announced today it has named James Debney as president of its firearms unit. Most recently, Debney, 42, was president of Presto Products Co., a plastic products business formerly owned by Alcoa's consumer products division. He will report to Michael Golden, S&W President and CEO. S&W press release.

Buffalo Bill's single action Colt heads to auction

William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody's .44-40 black powder Colt single action army revolver with factory case is expected to fetch between $50,000 and $70,000 in auction next month. Information provided by the Rock Island Auction Company in Moline, Ill. lists the condition of the classic revolver as "very good plus."

95-pound blue catfish caught at Ohio park lake

Angler Dwight Kidwell Jr. caught and released a 95-pound blue catfish while fishing at Lake Isabella in suburban Cincinnati on Saturday. It was largest fish ever caught in a Hamilton County Park, according to a district spokesperson. The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Montana university to offer enviro-journalism masters

The University of Montana School of Journalism has announced its new master's program in environmental science and natural resource journalism. Program director Henriette Lowisch said course work will include classes in "wildlife biology, forest, climate change and environmental policy." We can't help but pose the question: where can graduates expect to find employment? Newspapers? Yeah, right. Via AP.

Love-struck buck loses battle with concrete elk

A rutting 7-point whitetail buck point chose the wrong adversary in his attempt to exhibit male dominance last week when he attacked a 640-pound concrete elk statue in the yard of Mark Brye in rural Viroqua, Wisc. Brye discovered the buck, dead with a crushed skull, some 20 feet away from the toppled faux bull elk. Bob Lamb in the LaCrosse Tribune.

Nebraska poachers slapped with record fine

A Cherry County, Nebraska judge has order three Merriman men to pay a combined $20,145 for illegally killing five mule deer in September, marking the largest poaching fine in the state since electronic court records began being kept in 1996. The three also lost their hunting and fishing privileges for three years. NGPC press release.

In financial shambles, Quail Unlimited closes operations

Quail Unlimited has shut its Edgefield, SC operations, furloughed its 24 remaining employees and put its real estate up for sale to resolve what board members describe as catastrophic financial problems compounded by internal strife. Board member Bill Bowles stressed that QU "is not bankrupt" and will strive to resolve its current dismal financial situation. Rob Pavey in the Augusta Chronicle.

Calif. pistol barrel maker Bar-Sto moving to S. Dakota

Pistol barrel maker Bar-Sto has announced it will relocate operations from Twentynine Palms, Calif. to Sturgis, SD during the first part of 2010. “The differences in the tax climates between California and South Dakota are night and day,” said Irv Stone, second-generation owner of Bar-Sto. Prairie Business.

Internet postings & boastings help lead to poachers

Spokane Spokesman-Review outdoor writer Rich Landers reports that game agencies are finding the Internet to be a fertile source of information leading to the citation and arrest of game and fish scofflaws. In one recent case a man was convicted of illegally guiding anglers on one of Idaho's premier trout fisheries after he advertised his services on the Internet site Craigslist.

S. Illinois woman bags 2 deer in ten minutes, with SUV

Within a period of 10 minutes one evening last week, Kathryn Gowin of Macoupin County, Illinois became the envy of many hunters--she bagged two deer. But Gowin isn't a crack shot with a gun or bow, she accomplished the feat with her Ford Explorer, in an overall distance less than a half mile. The Jacksonville Journal-Courier.

Veteran's Day tribute

Our friends at Shooting Illustrated's Guns & Hunting Web site have produced and posted a visual tribute to all U. S. military veterans, narrated by NRA Secretary Major Jim Land and featuring striking sunrise photos taken at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington DC's Arlington National Cemetery.

Fatal mistake: deer leaps into National Zoo lion's den

Authorities at the National Zoo in Washington DC euthanized a deer after it  leapt into the facility's lion enclosure and was repeatedly swatted and clutched by the two female cats as witnesses watched the 20-minute ordeal. "Everyone was rooting for the deer," said one witness. The Washington Post. 

Gator under car bites Florida man

A Land O' Lakes, Fla. man who reached under his car thinking his dog was there was instead bitten on both hands by a 5-foot alligator. Joseph Canasta, 38, received multiple stitches and is recovering. The alligator was captured and euthanized. Tampa Tribune.

Wisconsin bear hunters post record season

Preliminary harvest numbers indicate Wisconsin hunters registered at least 3,800 black bears during the recently completed season, an increase of more than 26 percent over the previous high of 3,184 in 1998. Jim Lee reports in the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune.

Altered images withdrawn from NWRA photo contest

The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) has announced the withdrawal of “semi-finalist” recognition from five images in its 2009 Refuge Photo Contest after a review raised questions regarding significant digital alterations as well as the stated location of the photos submitted by Florida photographer Maxis Gamez. NWRA press release.

54 unadoptable feral cats rescued from Navy-owned island

Rather than being euthanized because of the threat they posed to nesting shorebirds on a U.S. Navy-owned island off the S. California coast, 54 feral cats have been live-trapped and relocated to a $100,000 facility at the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona. The Navy and USFWS were apparently influenced by the Humane Society of the United States, even though the adult cats are far too wild to be adopted. The North County Times and LA Times.

Wyoming bowhunter bags unexpected twofer

When Sheridan, Wyo. bowhunter Chris Smith set out Wednesday morning to recover the whitetail he arrowed at dusk the evening before, he found the buck—partially covered by grass and brush—under the watchful eye of a mountain lion. Armed only with his Leatherman tool, Smith retreated, returning later with a weapon and a mountain lion tag. Via AP. 

Wyo. G&F drafts guidelines for wind developers

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released its draft recommendations for protecting wildlife during anticipated wind energy development in the state, including restrictions in sage grouse habitat and in big game winter range and migration corridors. "We felt we needed to provide a concerted effort that the department can use to approach development, much as we've done with oil and gas," said biologist Scott Gamo, chairman of the department's wind task force. Via AP.

Additional cougar tracks confirmed in Michigan UP

Coming on the heels the Michigan DNR's first cougar confirmation in the eastern Upper Peninsula based on trail camera evidence, biologists have also verified two sets of cougar tracks in separate counties, also marking an historic first. Click on photo to view a larger version. In The Mining Journal.

Oregon case looks at CCW permittees who use medical pot

An Oregon Court of Appeals case may determine if the users of medical marijuana in the state can legally be prohibited from obtaining concealed handgun permits. Citing the federal classification of marijuana as a controlled substance, sheriffs from Washington and Jackson counties contend medical pot users users may be barred from possessing handguns. Via AP.

FLW Outdoors/Cabela's partnership announced

In an agreement announced yesterday, outdoor mega-retailer Cabela's has formed a major partnership with FLW Outdoors and its 189 tournaments, including "a significant contingency award program." Under terms of the agreement, Cabela's will serve as the official and exclusive outdoor retailer for FLW Outdoors. FLW Outdoors press release.

Michigan DNR verifies UP cougar sighting

Based on a photograph from a Chippewa County hunter's trail camera, the Michigan DNR has confirmed the presence of a mountain lion in the Western Upper Peninsula, though it stopped short of acknowledging a breeding population in the region. The Detroit News.

Energy companies offer $10K reward in Colo. poaching case

Energy companies working on Colorado's Western Slope have joined forces to offer $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of the person who poached a quarter-curl bighorn sheep ram north of De Beque. The ram was frequently seen and photographed by residents and energy workers near Kimball Creek. Colorado Division of Wildlife.