The (New) Outdoor Pressroom

Buxom bikini fishing mate loses teaching job

Remember the story a few weeks ago about the Florida fishing charter service offering bikini-clad and topless mates? Well, Smokin' Em Charters is back in the news this week after a high school biology teacher who made extra cash by pleasing anglers with her baiting prowess was not rehired by the school district for next year, nor will she finish this school year. Tiffany Shepherd, 30, thinks she got a raw deal because of her moonlighting, but school officials insist it's because she stacked-up too many unexcused absences. In The Palm Beach Post.

Inexperienced kayakers keep rescuers busy

USA Today reports that the meteoric growth in kayaking is putting a strain on Coast Guard and other search-and-rescue crews, prompting calls for new laws requiring kayakers to take boating safety courses. The number of kayak rescues—many involving multiple boats and helicopters—is escalating. "It does take us away from other high-priority missions, like maritime security," says spokesman Brendan McPherson.

Breeding population of snakeheads found in Arkansas

A breeding population of the invasive northern snakehead has been confirmed in a drainage ditch located in Lee County. Fisheries biologists are especially concerned about possible spreading of the species in the White River basin. “This is some of the worst news we could get as fisheries biologists,” said Mark Oliver, assistant chief of fisheries for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Bryan Hendricks reports in the NW Arkansas News.

Boulder cops try to deter cougar by shooting bean bags

Boulder, Colorado police attempted--albeit unsuccessfully--to disperse a mountain lion from a residential area by shooting it with non-lethal, bean-bag rounds. The big cat was first shot after it was found feeding on a raccoon. It fled the area, but returned later, authorities said. In The Boulder Daily Camera.

Enter blacktop trophies in "Roadkill Record Book"

Sure, the big deer or black bear you took with a gun or bow may qualify for Boone & Crockett, Pope & Young or SCI's record books, but what if you got it with your Buick on I-64? Never fear, now there's the Road Kill Record Book Club, the brainchild of a Wisconsin man who is quite serious about his venture. "It is not their fault they were hit by a car or truck," says Web site creator Richard Sanders. Keven Harter writes in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Michigan DNR employees charged with game violations

Two Michigan Department of Natural Resources employees and a man related to the employees have been charged with deer-hunting violations allegedly occurring in 2007. The three face fines and loss of their hunting privileges for three years. In The Ludington Daily News and The Muskegon Chronicle.

Anticipated lawsuit challenges wolf delisting

As expected, a coalition opposed to wolf hunting filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday challenging the recent removal of the predators from protection under the Endangered Species Act. The 12 groups maintain that wolves in the northern Rockies “remain threatened by biased, inadequate state management plans, as well as by the lack of connections between largely isolated state wolf populations.” In The Daily Inter Lake.

Thieves hit Missouri lake's boat dock

Authorities at Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks say thieves apparently cut numerous boats loose from their moorings at a secluded boat dock and made off with more than $12,000 in gear. The boats were taken to mid-channel, stripped of their fishing equipment, and left to drift. The Springfield News-Leader.

SC bill would codify deer contraception regulations

A bill approved in the S. Carolina House last week makes it illegal to use fertility control agents or chemical substances on deer and other wildlife without a permit from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. In the Beaufort Gazette

Poacher's "days of hunting in Montana are over"

Larry August, 64, received a suspended 15-year prison sentence for unlawful possession of game animals (including 21 bear skulls), plus two terms of six months in the Ravalli County Detention Center for unlawful sale of game. Sentencing Judge James Haynes said “August had a long-time commitment to illegally taking game animals and had no regard for Montana hunting laws.” In The Ravalli Republic.

Apparent kitty carrion lures window-busting buzzard

A Milton, Ontario family believes that a pet cat snoozing on a second-story window ledge looked so enticing to a turkey vulture that it crashed though the glass to try some tasty kitty morsels last week. "I went upstairs and there was glass everywhere and a noise coming from the spare bedroom. At first I shut the door and when we looked again there was this big bird behind our TV cabinet," said homeowner Glen Parker. In the Milton Canadian Champion.

Florida county considers ban on airboats for gator hunting

Noise complaints from property owners have prompted the Osceola County Commission to consider an ordinance that would ban alligator hunters from using airboats between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Lake Tohopekaliga and East Lake Tohopekaliga. A vote is expected today.

Moose startles car salesman in downtown York, Maine

York, Maine car salesman Rob Berry was busy in the Starkey Ford lot Thursday morning when he looked up and saw a young moose, staring him straight in the face. "It scared the daylights out of me," he said. "It looked at me and then ran straight across the parking lot." Seacoast Online reports that the dealership is located at the busy York Corner section of town, a concrete jungle of store, office and restaurant parking lots bisected by Route 1.

Fired NWTF execs sue organization, board

Two fired National Wild Turkey Federation executives have filed suit against the organization and its governing board alleging their termination in March was the result of "a well-orchestrated smear campaign" that involved lies and defamation. CEO Carl Brown, a 27-year employee, and Vice President Dick Rosenlieb, a 19-year employee, contend in separate complaints that their firings were based on false accusations leveled by unnamed members of NWTF's 18-person board. Robert Pavey in the Augusta Chronicle.

Florida golf ball diver attacked by gator

Authorities report that Dwight Monreal, 62, was diving for golf balls in a pond at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club Saturday afternoon when an alligator latched onto his left arm and tried to drag him underwater. He was treated for puncture wounds and a dislocated shoulder. An 8-foot gator was later trapped and destroyed. "This is the first time I've experienced a hard-core, eat-your-butt attack," Monreal said. In the Tampa Tribune.