Field Notes

Conventional wisdom among bear biologists holds that hunting is bad for cubs because as adult male bears are chased from their regular range, they encounter and often kill young bears they have not sired, thus increasing the rate of ursine infanticide.  But a new study conducted by the University of Alberta, in which researcher Sophie Czetwertynski monitored 290 bears over four years, found that hunted bears had much higher cub survival, as well as higher productivity among females. In short, the study suggests that properly regulated hunting may in fact improve bear populations.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060726.wbearz0726/BNStory/Science/home

Who says you have to travel to the West to bag an elk? Since wapiti were first reintroduced to Kentucky in 1997, the state’s herd has grown to approximately 5,700 animals, representing the largest elk herd in the east. And the number of permits offered to hunters has likewise grown, from 12 in 2001 to 100 in 2005. Now, with the elk herd still in a growth phase, wildlife officials are doubling last year’s number, to 200. But you’ll have to act very fast, as the application deadline is today.
http://www.cknj.com/articles/2006/07/26/sports/sports02.txt

You’ve heard of blanket hatches. You may even think you’ve seen one or two. But the good folks of Kittanning, PA, would probably argue that you ain’t seen nothing until you’ve witnessed the mayfly mayhem along the Allegheny River in July. This year, the annual invaders have piled up nearly a foot deep on roads and buildings. And after three motorcyclists dumped their bikes crossing over the river, town officials have decided to close the Kittanning Bridge. Still, the locals aren’t complaining.  “This time wasn't as bad,” said the Fire Chief. “This was very light compared to what it looked like last time.”
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/s_463301.html

Kansas poacher Gene Bitler, accused of stabbing Marvin Macy last November as the Clay County farmer interrupted him while killing deer illegally, has been found guilty of 2nd-degree attempted murder, as well as a number of game violations. According to Macy, Bitler pursued him in a drunken rage, stabbed him numerous times, and left him bleeding on the roadside. Bilter blamed “fear and panic” for his actions, but admitted, "Yes, in my heart I felt I'd hurt this man. I didn't know how bad," He will be sentenced Sept. 5th, and will likely face between 55 and 247 months in prison. The Clay Center Dispatch story below details the disturbing story.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16952549&BRD=1160&PAG=461&dept_id=190958&rfi=6

According to a National Wildlife Federation study, sportsmen voted nearly 2-1 for George W. Bush in the last election.  Clearly, most never guessed that his administration and the Republican congress could botch environmental, land, and energy policy so badly. But that is what’s happening, according to this Denver Post article, making strange bedfellows of sportsmen, environmentalists, and yes, even Democrats, some of whom are promising something other than a “knee-jerk liberal reaction” to issues such as gun control.
http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_4084683

What do you get when you cross a wild moose with a mare? One odd-looking colt. This, according to a Canadian rancher who sites such a rare coupling for the strangely moose-like head and gangly legs of a foal named Bambi. Veterinarians plan to test the animal’s genetic profile. Meanwhile, the local paper asks, “Is Bambi a hoose or a morse?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060724/wl_canada_afp/canadaanimaloffbeat_060724203556

Anyone with a magazine subscription has read umpteen times that if you want to catch big bass, give them live bait. And that’s just what Indiana angler Larry Hinesley did to break one of the state’s longest standing records. Hinesley saw the giant spotted bass before he started casting. “I threw every lure in my box but it wouldn't take any of them,” he told the IDFW Wild Bulletin. As soon as he switched to a nightcrawler, though, there was little left to do but persuade his fishing line to hold up. "I was talking to [it] the whole time saying ‘don’t break, don’t break.’” It didn’t, and his 5 pound, 5 ounce spotted bass is now officially the new state record. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/recordfish/bass.htm

Folks who drain wetlands or dredge ponds without permits are not above the law in Minnesota. Rather, the law is literally above them, spying from the sky in single-engine planes and a military surplus helicopter.  According to this KARE11 News story, even the state DNR officials themselves are surprised at how many violations their new bird’s-eye view in uncovering. Since April, the aerial patrols have revealed more than 500 violations in 25 counties.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=130097

Some people have money to burn but Fred Revils Jr. of Shreveport, LA, apparently prefers to throw it into the Red River. After catching a tagged bass potentially worth $25K—but not knowing what the tag signified—he allowed his fishing partner throw the catch back.  “You cannot believe how sick I’ve been since I found out, and I know I’m gonna hear about this for a couple of years,” Revils said. Yes, you are.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/SPORTS06/307220004/1001/SPORTS

Yesterday’s report that 532 bass went belly up after a Wisconsin tournament proves that competitive fishing can be dangerous for fish. But it can also be life-threatening for anglers. Just ask 32-year-old Ian Card. On Saturday, during a fishing competition, he was fighting an 800-pound blue marlin when the huge fish suddenly leapt out of the water and impaled him angler in the chest, knocking him overboard. Card managed to get back aboard and to a hospital, where doctors said he was lucky to be alive.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/07/24/bermuda.fisherman.ap/index.html