Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife authorities have determined that a mule found dead and partially consumed near Joseph last week was a “probable” wolf kill. The agency's determination would entitle the owner to half the mule's market value when the state compensation funds are released. The Observer.
January 19, 2012
Iowa panel rejects lead shot ban for dove hunting
A subcommittee of the Iowa Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee voted 2-1 today to support a resolution against a rule proposed by the Iowa Natural Resource Commission that would bar the use of lead shot for hunting mourning doves, and a key lawmaker predicted both the Iowa House and Senate will agreed to nullify the regulation. The measure now goes to the full Senate committee. Des Moines Register.
January 16, 2012
Wisconsin agency swamped with CCW applications
The Wisconsin Department of Justice hopes to catch up this week after falling at least four days behind the legal timelines for handling background checks for the state's new concealed carry permits. Since the law became effective Nov. 1, nearly 71,000 have applied for the permit, with around 51,000 printed and issued. The agency hired 10 additional workers Jan. 3 to handle the volume, a DOJ spokesman said. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
This little piggy: Dog eats diabetic owner's toes
Authorities and animal experts in Roseburg, Ore. say a Shiba Inu dog that ate three of its diabetic owner's toes as the man slept was likely acting on instinct to remove diseased flesh. James Little, 61, called 911 Tuesday to report his dog had chewed off his toes while he was sleeping. He is reportedly recovering. AP.
Arizona amends its wolf-release policy
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted to alter its policy approved last year to oppose any new FWS release of Mexican gray wolves in the state and to instead consider the replacement of lost wolves case-by-case. The agency director will have the authority if an animal is lost due to a unlawful act. When a wolf is lost to any other cause of mortality, the commission must approve a release.
January 15, 2012
Judge upholds ATF reporting for border state gun dealers
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to bar requiring gun store owners in the Southwest U.S. to report multiple rifle sales. U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives properly limited the rule to purchasers of two or more semi-auto rifles greater than .22 caliber in five days in California, Arizona, New Mexico or Texas. Washington Post and NSSF statement.
Minnesota DNR seeks hunting, fishing license cost hike
With the state's Game and Fish Fund headed for insolvency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will support Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposal to increase a resident angling license from $17 to $24, and a resident deer license from $26 to $30. "What we've heard from stakeholders is that there's pretty strong support for doing something with our license structure," said Dennis Simon, DNR wildlife chief. Sam Cook in the Duluth News-Tribune.
7-inch spoon successfully removed from Lab's stomach
Following some rather complicated veterinary surgery costing around $2,500, a seven-inch metal spoon was successfully removed from the stomach of Laurie Neomany's 9-year-old Labrador retriever, Vincent, last week. "He's been a trash hound from the start," said Neomany, an Annapolis, Md. resident. "I suspect (the spoon) had food on it, and he must have been in a hurry and swallowed it down fast." AP.
January 14, 2012
New details emerging in Alaska wildlife agency scandal
We predict this week's resignation of a top Alaska Department of Fish and Game official after he was charged with 12 counts of illegal bear hunting could soon see some national attention, due to its connection to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Craig Medred reports in the Alaska Dispatch that Corey Rossi secured a job in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game despite a lack of formal wildlife training, a fact that caused friction among agency biologists.
January 13, 2012
Grand View Media to publish Shooting Sports Retailer
Grand View Media Group, a consumer and trade publisher in the outdoor market, has assumed the management of Shooting Sports Retailer magazine, including all editorial, accounting, sales, production and circulation operations for the bi-monthly title and its digital products, it was announced this week. Foliomag and Business Wire.
Alaska wildlife official steps down in wake of charges
A top Alaska Department of Fish and Game official has resigned after being charged with 12 counts of illegal bear hunting as a licensed assistant guide in 2008. Current Division of Wildlife Conservation Director Corey Rossi, 51, was already a controversial figure in Alaska wildlife conservation, appointed in 2008 by then-Gov. Sarah Palin to a high-level position involved in Alaska predator control. Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Dispatch.
January 12, 2012
Multiple wolves wandering near Jackson, Wyo. subdivision
A Jackson, Wyoming resident photographed three gray wolves near the town's Indian Trails subdivision Sunday, possibly marking a new era in the spread of the species south from Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports it has received "a flurry of emails about wolves in west Jackson."
SCOTUS won't hear Oregon pot-gun case
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from an Oregon sheriff who had been rebuffed in his effort to deny a concealed handgun license to a state-approved medical marijuana user. The high court's decision means Cynthia Willis and other marijuana cardholders and can keep their pistols—and their pot. Medford Mail-Tribune.
Ghillie-suited 'moss man' sentenced for burglary
Regular Outdoor Pressroom readers may recall the story about the Oregon man arrested for attempting to burglarize a mineral museum, who claimed he was wearing a sniper-grade camo Ghillie suit for Halloween. Well, Gregory Liascos (aka "Moss man") was sentenced in Washington County Circuit Court Tuesday to 16 months in prison after admitting to breaking into the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in October 2010. The Oregonian.
NRA license plate bill raises hackles in Washington
Washington State Rep. Dean Takko's (D-Longview) bill to create a state license plate featuring an NRA logo to raise funds for state hunter safety programs has already sparked a predictable firefight between Second Amendment supporters and the state's anti-gun contingency. "The opponents I think are reacting to the fact that the letters 'N-R-A' are connected to this measure," Dave Workman of the Bellevue, Wash.-based Second Amendment Foundation told MSNBC. "I don't think they looked much beyond that." The Daily News.
Missouri woman critically injured by running deer
A 53-year-old woman was listed in critical condition with a severe head injury after she was knocked unconscious by a deer racing through a parking lot in Ellisville, Mo. Tuesday. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Ellisville city officials in recent months have discussed methods to curtail the deer population, including controlled hunts in the Roger Klamberg Woods Conservation Area.
Alaska fishing guide allegedly bilked clients out of $90K
Thomas Murray, who operated Wise Guide Outfitters on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, is charged with stealing $90,000 from about 70 clients by failing to provide trips booked with his business in 2010 and 2011. A preliminary hearing in the case was held Jan. 5 and was continued with Murray's attorney requesting additional negotiation time. The Peninsula Clarion.
University offers online F&W; administrative degrees
Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, Ore., has announced it is offering an online professional science master's degree in the field of fisheries and wildlife administration beginning in the spring 2012 semester, and notes the offering represents an opportunity previously unavailable in the United States. PR Wire.
January 11, 2012
'Darwin's poacher' receives laundry list of charges
Only 11 days into 2012, and already we have a front-runner for "Dumbest Poacher of the Year." OK, the charges came in 2011, but Ray McKinney, 37, of Benton, La. first had to be rescued by authorities when he got lost overnight in the woods after hunting on land without permission. Besides trespassing, he was charged with hunting without a license or tags and with no hunter orange. Oh, yeah, he's also a convicted felon and possessed a hunting rifle. LDWF.
Bear spray empties Alaska church
Some 200 worshippers from the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Fairview, Alaska were evacuated during the regular Sunday service after bear deterrent spray was released in the church basement. "We heard from a congregation member was that someone shot off bear spray, don't know if it was at someone or in the air," Anchorage Fire Department Senior Captain Paul Urbano said. KTUU.
Eco-terrorists suspected in California farm's arson fires
Through a clearinghouse that distributes communication on behalf of radical animal rights organizations, the Animal Liberation Front is claiming responsibility for a fire that damaged 14 tractors and several cattle-hauling trailers at Harris Farms in Fresno (Calif.) County—that state's largest cattle feeder, beef processor and beef marketer. Fresno Bee.
Report: E. coli-tainted venison sickened MN students in 2010
A 2010 incident just now being made public and reported in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases indicates 29 Minnesota high school students were sicked with a rare type of E. coli food poisoning after preparing and eating venison, including meat from one road-killed deer. The deer were processed at the school and then grilled and eaten in class. MSNBC.
Driver stopped after hitting deer found with load of pot
A driver who hit a deer on Interstate 5 in Oregon and kept driving past a state trooper despite damage to his 1998 Monte Carlo was found to be transporting 23 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $57,000. Christopher Goheen, 26, of Oympia, Wash. was being held Tuesday in the Douglas County Jail on charges of possessing and delivering marijuana. Register-Guard.
