Free Republic

The article about the hunter in Indiana reminded me of this story. Its deer season for alot of us. For those of you who think animals sing and dance ala Disney, don't bother.

Reporting from Yosemite National Park— Their Yosemite Valley tour was nearing its end, and the church ladies and gents from South Los Angeles had heard enough. Almost. "He's been telling us stories he thinks we want to hear for two hours," said Ann Hale, 70, heaving a sigh of frustration from the back of the tram. In fact, guide William Fontana had been regaling his listeners — most of them white — with stories about John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt, about fur trappers and rock climbers. "We're still waiting for at least a few words about Yosemite's African American Buffalo...

Janet Parker has a clear shot at becoming the first woman to compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series. From Little Elm, Texas, Parker said if she qualifies she won't hesitate to commit for the 2012 Elite Series season. "I am on top of the world," she said. "I can't tell you how excited I am to have this chance." Parker took a big step toward the Elite Series on Sept. 10 with a 10th-place finish on the Arkansas River in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open division. The high finish jumped her from sixth to second place in the...

Friends say Dan Dodds of Coupeville, WA, fought the big king salmon nearly 20 minutes, running up and down the beach at Keystone Spit and wading waist-deep into the water before finally landing the 28-pounder he called "the fish of my dreams." Minutes later, Dodds, 62, suffered an apparent heart attack and fell face down in the water. Efforts by fellow anglers to perform CPR failed, and he was pronounced dead at Whidbey General Hospital. "If I have to go, I’d like to go in that manner," said angler and friend Joe Biller. Whidbey News Times.

News Release Media Contact: Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us Aug. 17, 2011 Drought Increases Texas Black Bear Concerns Rural Residents, Hunters Advised to Be Bear Aware AUSTIN — Wildlife biologists are advising hunters, ranchers and rural residents that black bears appear to be roaming longer distances and may approach people or houses in search of food and water because of the drought. If conditions remain dry, people could see more bears, said Mike Krueger, district leader of the Edwards Plateau Wildlife District for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “We’re getting a few reports of people seeing bears during daylight hours, and...

Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten Fish Hatcheries and State Economies Proposed budget decreases at nine federal fish hatcheries could have a devastating effect on already fragile economies in states where these facilities are located. State fisheries managers in affected areas are asking anglers to contact their U.S. congressmen/women immediately to have the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reconsider shutting down mitigation stocking. The President's FY 2012 Budget calls for a reduction of $6.3 million to the USFWS fish hatchery mitigation operations, while its overall funding would be increased by almost $48 million. Mitigation activities will be cut or ended unless full...

Federal Act Could Limit Environmental Lawsuits, Awards By Etta Pettijohn The practices of two environmental groups best known for suing federal agencies to end logging, grazing, mining on public land and to hamstring wildlife agencies could be halted if legislation sponsored by western Congressional members becomes law. The Government Litigation Savings Act, introduced to Congress in late May, would amend the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Supporters say it would not, as some critics of the measure claim, reverse the opportunity for disadvantaged plaintiffs to recoup legal fees as recourse against government actions. The EAJA, passed in 1980, was...

Old-time football players like to say they would’ve played for free in the parking lot, such was their love for the game. It might be the hyperbole of men who watched too many grainy Knute Rockne clips, but you want to believe that they believe it. You want to believe that they were so tough and so committed to the game that they would’ve sacrificed the skin on their elbows to make a tackle near the third parking stall on the left. You want to believe in someone who loved the raw violence of a sport so much that he...

I know it is PMSNBC, but the pics are great!

It looks like something from the film Independence Day. But although it may seem like an alien mothership, this incredible picture is actually an impressive thunderstorm cloud known as a supercell. Windswept dust and rain dominate the storm's centre while rings of jagged clouds surround the edge. A flimsy tree in the foreground looks like a toy next to the magnificent natural phenomenon Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1334672/Jaw-dropping-image-enormous-supercell-cloud-Glasgow-Montana.html#ixzz16zxKpXHz

If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you’re familiar with Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Chances are you’ve even attended at least once over its 10 years running. It’s hard to disregard a massive, three-day festival that’s six-stages large and hundreds of thousands of attendees deep with a star-stacked lineup that takes place out in the emerald expanse of the Golden Gate Park every first weekend of October—the sunniest, warmest time of the year in San Francisco. This coming weekend, Hardly Strictly is poised to throw what could be the biggest and best year yet with a staggering lineup that...

Southerners are more like to die from the effects of the weather than people living in any other region of the US. Kind of interesting, even though the data is over a year old. Can also look at separate counties with the links provided on the page.

I am looking for recipes for a good cookout meat this Saturday. Anyone?

Clear Creek sheriff's deputies on Thursday arrested a rafting guide for swimming to a stranded young rafter who had tumbled from his boat on Clear Creek. Ryan Daniel Snodgrass, a 28-year-old guide with Arkansas Valley Adventures rafting company, was charged with "obstructing government operations," said Clear Creek Sheriff Don Krueger. "He was told not to go in the water, and he jumped in and swam over to the victim and jeopardized the rescue operation," said Krueger, noting that his office was deciding whether to file similar charges against another guide who was at the scene just downstream of Kermitts Roadhouse...

Motorists using a bridge in the southern Russian city of Volgograd were given the ride of a lifetime by a powerful gust of wind. The new river crossing started shaking violently and a massive downpour at the same time made conditions worse. Drivers say their cars were literally thrown into the air, many thinking it was an unexpected earthquake. The shaking was so severe it caused vehicles to career into the opposite lane creating chaos....

President Barack Obama launched a new initiative Friday to conserve cherished land and encourage more Americans to enjoy the outdoors. The president said the "America's Great Outdoors" program will involve a series of listening sessions throughout the nation to solicit an array of ideas. *snip* Obama is to receive a report by Nov. 15 outlining an action plan to both reconnect Americans to nature and enhance conservation efforts. Eight departments and the White House Office of Management and Budget are to work with the initiative to "identify existing resources," and to align policies to meet the initiative's goals.

Following the suggestion of his tone-deaf advance team, President Obama went from inside the White House to inside his armored car to inside the Interior Department today to celebrate the Great Outdoors. After a short drive, the Chicagoan spoke to a Great Outdoors Conference auditorium audience of about 500 including Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, a favorite urban butt of late-night comedians.

"Under President Obama's vision for a "21st century conservation agenda," the federal government would bring together cities, states, tribes and nongovernmental organizations working on conservation efforts, and encourage families to spend more time outdoors, officials said."

Raleigh Constituent visits the new North Carolina Department Of Agriculture website. Dear John Jacob; Steve Troxler is a great Agriculture Commissioner and I like his ideas. But Moose Droppings (CLICK LINK HERE) has found a AgDept. idea that may need some tweaks before it is ready for primetime. Everyone (outside the Wildlife Commission!) agrees NC wildlife management has reached farcical levels. Crows can only be shot on Wednesdays,Fridays and Saturdays from June through February. Fox Squirrels from October 12 to December 31, Grey and Red from October 1 to February 13 etc,etc,etc. So enter Commissioner Troxler with a website to...

"The Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show is a sportsman's paradise, but one where trouble is brewing. There were lots of kids here with their families, walking the nearly 300,000 square feet of the State Farm Show Complex. They were checking out the newest fishing lures, gun blinds and camouflage clothing. But many of the outfitters who set up booths at the show and sell mountain-lion stalks in New Mexico, bear hunts in Maine and African safaris are worried that they're in a dying business. Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show State Farm Show Complex Through Feb. 14 "Most kids wouldn't know...