The 2012 UKC Coonhound Championships and the UKC World Bench Championships will be held at Hamel’s Park, near Shreveport, LA on Sept. 20-22, marking the first time the event has been held in Louisiana. "This event hasn't been held in the South since the late 1980s, so we're excited to bring it here," said Kelly Wells, with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. UKC and Sulphur Daily News.
January 30, 2012
Freedom Group acquires Para USA
Freedom Group Inc. (FGI), parent company of Remington Arms, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker and others, today announced the acquisition of Para USA, Inc. "Para is a perfect complement to our industry-leading family of brands, and our success in 2011 with the Remington R1-1911," said E. Scott Blackwell, FGI Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Press release.
A card-carrying, 386-year-old hunter?
When Joe "Porky" Porcarelli received his New Mexico Game and Fish Department Mobility Impaired Certification card earlier this month, he immediately realized there must be some mistake. While Joe's no spring chicken at 86 years of age, the ID card lists his birthdate as June 8, 1625! Read more at my Headline Hunter blog.
In 30 years, B&C trophy whitetail entries jump 400%
Calling it "a story for all conservationists to celebrate," the Boone and Crockett Club reports its historic data indicates that trophy whitetail entries have increased 400 percent during the past 30 years of record keeping. From 1980-1985, hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails into B&C, compared to 3,090 from 2005-2010. For the latter scoring period, Wisconsin led all states with 383 entries. See more data.
Michigan UP 'ice rage' incident lands angler in hospital
An ice angler was seriously injured by a snowmobiler who apparently purposely struck him after the two argued Saturday on Garden Bay. The Delta County (Mich.) Sheriff's Department reports the snowmobiler first drove dangerously close to the victim and his tip-up rig, sparking a confrontation. The snowmobiler fled the scene. Escanaba Daily Press.
Nevada high court: No antique guns for felons
The Nevada Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that the state law banning felons from owning firearms also extends to antique and muzzleloading replica guns, or any firearm "loaded or unloaded, operable or inoperable." In her written ruling, Justice Kristina Pickering acknowledged federal law permits felons to possess black powder rifles, but noted the law "does not mandate that Nevada follow suit." Auction Central News.
SW Colo. hikers, bikers complain about sheepdog use
Some San Juan National Forest hikers and bicyclists complain that Akbash sheepdogs used by ranchers to protect their livestock from coyotes and other predators intimidate them and should be banned by the U.S. Forest Service. But rancher and state Rep. J. Paul Brown of Ignacio defends the use of the breed that originated in Turkey. "We cut our loss to predators by 60 to 70 percent when we introduced dogs," Brown said. Durango Herald.
Bad move: Gun show vendor shoots his hand
Knoxville (TN) Police report Bill Adams, 44, a vendor at the Knoxville Knife and Gun Show, received non life-threatening injuries Sunday after shooting himself in the hand with his personal Kimber .45 cal. handgun while he apparently showed it to a customer. Potential Darwin material? Knoxville News Sentinel.
Bunny-hunting beagles rescued from 100-foot well
When Alvin Dixon lost two beagles during a rabbit hunt near Clover, Va. Saturday morning, a quick search located the pair at the bottom of a 100-foot abandoned well. Ray Conner of the South Boston Fire Department was lowered into the well and successfully toted them to safety, said Animal Control Officer Todd Moser. "He said both beagles seemed relieved to see him and jumped on his lap licking him,” said Moser. Gazette Virginian.
January 29, 2012
Activists howl over depiction of wolves in 'The Grey'
Animal activists are already in a tizzy with this weekend's opening of the Hollywood thriller, The Grey," in which a group of oil-rig roughnecks stranded in a remote part of Alaska battle attacking wolves. Wolf advocate Wendy Keefover of WildEarth Guardians is calling for a boycott of the film, claiming it’s "inciting terror" of wolves like Jaws did with sharks. The Daily Beast.
Texas burro defenders petition Perry to intervene in culling
A decision by Texas Parks and Wildlife to begin shooting wild burros in the Big Bend Ranch State Park has prompted animal-protection groups to petition Gov. Rick Perry in an effort to block the state's plans. "Really burros are not unlike the other exotic and feral species that we find in parks across the state that we try to control those and manage those numbers best we can,"” said TPWD's Brent Leisure. KENS-5.
Lead shot debate heads to Iowa House & Senate floor
After passing respective committees in both chambers, a measure to eliminate a ban on lead shot for mourning dove hunting in Iowa is expected to be heard on the floor of the state House and Senate in coming days. Des Moines Register.
January 27, 2012
Pennsylvania moves to make crossbow use permanent
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners this week took the first step toward making crossbow use for archery deer and bear seasons permanent by removing the sunset date inserted in the regulations when crossbows were first permitted in 2009. That clause required the board and staff to review the impact of expanded use of crossbows on deer and bear hunting before June 30, 2012. PGC.
NM wolves undergo 'beef aversion' training
US Fish and Wildlife biologists working at a captive breeding center at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in south-central New Mexico have treated six Mexican gray wolves for "conditioned taste aversion," presumably so the predators will find beef distasteful. However, the wise wildlife specialists agree that while the early tests have been successful, a wolf's predisposition for killing is another subject entirely. Really? Albuquerque Journal.
Wandering wolf may enter a third state
Wildlife officials say a 2 1/2-year-old gray wolf that originated in Eastern Oregon and entred northern California last month is currently about 35 miles from the Nevada state line, according to its tracking collar data. "He better bring a canteen and a backpack if he comes into Nevada," said Chris Healy, a spokesman with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "There is not a lot of wolf habitat." Bend Bulletin.
January 26, 2012
Virginia Sunday hunting bill heads to House
A measure allowing Sunday hunting on private land in Virginia passed its first major test today, breezing through the Senate by a 29-11 vote. It is expected to face tougher scrutiny in the House, where delegates are aware that Gov. Bob McDonnell has pledged to sign any legislation allowing hunting on private property. Lee Tolliver in the Virginian-Pilot.
Minnesota DNR outlines upcoming wolf season
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has set a "conservative" quota of 400 gray wolves for its first hunting and trapping season, proposed for Nov. 24, 2012 through Jan. 5, 2013, or until the quota is reached. A total of 6,000 licenses—one wolf per licensed hunter—would cost $50 with a $4 application fee. ECM Publishers.
Deer collides with 8th grader in school hallway
Officials at Red Lion Area Junior High School in central Pennsylvania say an eighth-grade student and a startled deer collided and fell to the floor when the animal rushed through the school's main entrance at dismissal Wednesday. School principal Kevin Peters and a teacher subsequently trapped the whitetail doe in a foyer and released it later. The boy was not hurt. Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader.
Outdoors advocate & defender, Judge Bob Moon, 60
Popular Hamilton County (Chattanooga, Tenn.) General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon, known for his outdoors advocacy and strict dealings with game law violators, died Thursday from an apparent heart attack. He was 60. In 2008, Judge Moon made national headlines when he advised a woman who had been pulled from her car and beaten in the head to "purchase a weapon, obtain a gun permit and learn to protect yourself." He will be missed. Richard Simms at Nooga.com.
January 25, 2012
6.1% jump in Illinois FOID cards an indicator?
Depending who you ask, the 6.1 percent (78,500) increase in Illinois Firearms Owner's Identification (FOID) Cards necessary to purchase and own guns and ammo in the past year may be fueled by a growing belief the state is finally poised to legalize concealed-carry of firearms for personal protection. Or, maybe not. The Bloomington Pantagraph.
Treeing Walker is newest AKC breed
The Treeing Walker Coonhound has become the 174th breed to be officially registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC), joining five coonhound counterparts—the American English Coonhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound and Redbone Coonhound—after being on the club's Foundation Stock Service list since 1995.
Animal-rights protester awarded $15K in Philly arrest suit
The city of Philadelphia has agreed pay an animal-rights activist $15,000 to settle a lawsuit over his 2009 arrest for handing out pro-vegan leaflets outside a grocery store. Though charges were subsequently dismissed against Edward Coffin, he said he sued the city with the ACLU to bring about "necessary changes in Police Department procedures to ensure that fundamental First Amendment rights are being protected." Philadelphia Daily News.
Stranded snowshoer burned money for warmth
A snowshoer lost in a blizzard for two days on Washington's Mount Rainier last week said he stayed alive by digging a snow tunnel and burning personal items, including money, to stay warm. Yong Chun Kim, 66, of Tacoma, said he burned his extra socks, Band-Aids, toothbrush, packaging, and $1 and $5 bills from his wallet. Hell, I burned through lots more than that in Vegas last week! AP with a hat tip to The Goat.
