Field Notes

From an Associated Press story in The Des Moines Register:

Testing whether deer can be scared off with real or synthetic urine from predators such as wolves, coyotes and bears was just one of several ideas that officials from eight states, including Iowa, plan to consider this week in Arden Hills, Minn., as they look for ways to reduce the number of crashes between deer and vehicles.

The urine would be placed in canisters set far from the road in the hope that the smell will trigger an instinct in deer to flee.

This raises a number of questions. For example, who's to say the deer will flee away from the road. And, as a reader of the above link asks, "Who's gonna hold the cup for the bears to pee in?" But more to the point: What do you think of this idea?

If you've ever wondered what SS editors find on the beach (fossilized shark's teeth and condoms, for starters) or how to stuff a bluefish or just about anything related to saltwater fishing, head over to Joe Cermele's new blog. In his own words:

"As a true fishing nut, there’s nothing I won't discuss. . . . I'll be dropping a new rambling here every week, so check back. I look forward to talking all things fishing with you. Oh, and for the record, I was forced into the name Little Tuna."
(The Little Tuna)

Check out these great photos sent to us by reader Steve Walls, who writes,
"This is something you don’t see everyday."

That’s for sure.
Thanks, Steve.

Under new ownership and relocated to the Ohio shores of Lake Erie, the company is once again turning out Model 37s. Let’s hope they stay in business this time, because the Deerslayer IIIs they’re building right now (above, click for larger image) really, really shoot ($959; 419-294-4113; ithacagunsusa.com). At 50 yards with Lightfield Hybreds, my test gun shot groups with all the holes touching. Out at 85 to 90 yards, it shot between 2 and 3 1/2 inches with both Hybreds and Winchester Partition Golds. The DS III has a handsome Monte Carlo walnut stock and fore-end; its fixed, fully rifled heavy barrel is fluted to save weight. Without a scope, the gun weighs about 8 1/2 pounds. The trigger is very crisp if a tad heavy. —Phil Bourjaily

First, a brief, recent, chronological history of Perky the duck:

January 15: A Florida hunter shoots a female ring-neck duck, assumes the fowl is dead, and puts it in the refrigerator.

January 17: The hunter’s wife opens the fridge door; the duck lifts its head and looks at her; she freaks out and tells her daughter to bring the duck to the Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.

January 20: An Associated Press article spreads the story worldwide; the duck becomes known as Perky.

January 23: The Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary begins treating Perky’s wounded wing and leg.

January 27: Perky dies on the operating table while having a wing repaired. Veterinarian David Hale performes CPR and resuscitates the duck.

January 28: An Associated Press article reports Perky’s second narrow escape.

(Some of the better headlines:
Injured fowl-feathered friend keeps 'duck'-ing death [Edmonton Sun];
This plucky, lucky duck gets new quack at life [Toronto Star];
'She's alive!': Duck ducks death a third time [Minneapolis Star Tribune])

Today: Perky continues to recover at Goose Creek.

All of this is very heartwarming, of course. But from a hunter’s perspective, is there something a little wacko about all of this? What’s your take?

When the power goes out in the lower 48, people are apt to chalk it up to high winds or maybe an ice storm. In Alaska, they’re as apt to think, Maybe an eagle carrying a deer head couldn’t clear the electrical wires and crashed into the transmission system. Even more amazing, they might be right. Read about it here.

No doubt many of you have thought: What I really need is a 2-1/2-foot-long Rapala minnow plug? Well here your big chance to get one. At this writing, the last bid was just $31. Check it out here.

From the Associated Press as reported on CNN.com:

After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer.

The beer is fit for human consumption, Berenden said. But at $2.14 a bottle, it's about four times more expensive than a Heineken.

Tell us what you think of this new pooch hooch. Would you give it to your dog?

Michigan fisheries officials announced Thursday that viral hemorrhagic septicema (VHS), a virus that causes fish to bleed to death, has been found in Lake Huron for the first time. VHS is already present in Great Lakes Erie and Ontario, and while it is not dangerous to people, it targets some of the area’s most popular sportfish, including salmon and walleye. Check out the full story here.

Shooting light was fading on a pair of teenage duck hunters in Clarke County Georgia when a bobcat attacked and bit one of them. The teens beat the animal to death and brought its body to authorities. Tests confirmed that the bobcat was rabid. Read the full story here.