Chris Avena 's Entries

• 22 Sep 2011
  Bowhunting Imagery For Better Shots

  Half the battle of executing the perfect shot is mental. Use imagery to connect on your next shot. by Jack Young Imagine that you’re making the perfect shot—that’s when it will happen. Once you’ve mastered the physical aspects of shooting a bow it’s your mind that dictates shooting efficiency. Shooting well, especially under pressure, is largely about controlling anxiety. Bowhunting is a theater of unpredictability, buck-fever, even target panic feeding on this inherent uncertainty. The more important a “trophy,” the higher the degree of stress. Begin With Breathing Exercises Soothing performance anxiety begins with simple breathing exercises. Start by inhaling slowly, deeply, and evenly through your nose. Hold that breath momentarily before gently exhaling through your mouth. Each time you exhale, silently mouth the word “relax.” After even a few breaths you should feel your nerves calming. Use Imagery For Positive Performance Studies of elite athletes also prove mental imagery affects success. An all-sensory experience promotes positive physical performance. Imagery creates a mental map for performance by fostering confidence and reducing performance anxiety. Imagery, unlike simple visualization, includes feelings of movement, sound, smells, and emotions. It requires practice to summon on demand. In imagery, the deer hunter does not simply see his arrow zipping through vitals, he hears crunching leaves as the deer approaches and acorns rattling through oak branches. He smells the dank forest. In his imagination, he sees that the correct pin is placed just so and the arrow releases smoothly. He follows through with a sense of determination. The subsequent sounds of the shot and feel of riser jumping are also part of the experience. The ultimate goal is to develop vividness and clarity. Even the nervous energy involved helps stimulate the senses. Control Thoughts, And Beware Imagery Pitfalls Imagery is helpful, but also understand that it can turn destructive. Seeing yourself crumble or missing an easy shot is hardly helpful. Controlled imagery provides the opportunity to correct past errors and create positive results. Should negative thoughts arise, imagine a literal STOP sign. At the STOP, redirect thoughts by recalling a past success and replicating it on your mind’s eye, with yourself in the role of successful performer. With time you can apply mental imagery in conjunction with physical action to create more productive shooting practice. Don’t simply plunk one mechanical arrow after another into a block target. Set up 3-D targets in realistic settings and approach them as if they were the real thing. Talk Yourself Through The Shot It’s important on occasion to talk to yourself sternly (if silently) through an impending shot. Sometimes you simply have to remind yourself of each important step in the shooting sequence; especially shooting form. Most often, you have to tell yourself to slow down. The pressured mind often loses its ability to accurately account for passing time. Everything seems to occur in a blur when nothing has actually changed. Forgive Yourself, Move On Just as importantly, don’t let a single failure defeat you mentally. Develop the ability to forgive yourself, leave the past behind. Learn from mistakes and turn them into positive experiences. Tell yourself, “Glad that’s out of the way. Now I’m ready.” This is more productive than allowing self-doubt to fester and grow. It takes willpower. Use positive mental imagery to create that will. Success breeds confidence. While experienced bowhunters certainly become selective as years pass, this does not mean they cannot use the occasional confidence booster. Off-season wild boars, does during regular seasons, and small game all help support that confidence.

  2349 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Bowhunting Imagery For Better Shots

  Half the battle of executing the perfect shot is mental. Use imagery to connect on your next shot. by Jack Young Imagine that you’re making the perfect shot—that’s when it will happen. Once you’ve mastered the physical aspects of shooting a bow it’s your mind that dictates shooting efficiency. Shooting well, especially under pressure, is largely about controlling anxiety. Bowhunting is a theater of unpredictability, buck-fever, even target panic feeding on this inherent uncertainty. The more important a “trophy,” the higher the degree of stress. Begin With Breathing Exercises Soothing performance anxiety begins with simple breathing exercises. Start by inhaling slowly, deeply, and evenly through your nose. Hold that breath momentarily before gently exhaling through your mouth. Each time you exhale, silently mouth the word “relax.” After even a few breaths you should feel your nerves calming. Use Imagery For Positive Performance Studies of elite athletes also prove mental imagery affects success. An all-sensory experience promotes positive physical performance. Imagery creates a mental map for performance by fostering confidence and reducing performance anxiety. Imagery, unlike simple visualization, includes feelings of movement, sound, smells, and emotions. It requires practice to summon on demand. In imagery, the deer hunter does not simply see his arrow zipping through vitals, he hears crunching leaves as the deer approaches and acorns rattling through oak branches. He smells the dank forest. In his imagination, he sees that the correct pin is placed just so and the arrow releases smoothly. He follows through with a sense of determination. The subsequent sounds of the shot and feel of riser jumping are also part of the experience. The ultimate goal is to develop vividness and clarity. Even the nervous energy involved helps stimulate the senses. Control Thoughts, And Beware Imagery Pitfalls Imagery is helpful, but also understand that it can turn destructive. Seeing yourself crumble or missing an easy shot is hardly helpful. Controlled imagery provides the opportunity to correct past errors and create positive results. Should negative thoughts arise, imagine a literal STOP sign. At the STOP, redirect thoughts by recalling a past success and replicating it on your mind’s eye, with yourself in the role of successful performer. With time you can apply mental imagery in conjunction with physical action to create more productive shooting practice. Don’t simply plunk one mechanical arrow after another into a block target. Set up 3-D targets in realistic settings and approach them as if they were the real thing. Talk Yourself Through The Shot It’s important on occasion to talk to yourself sternly (if silently) through an impending shot. Sometimes you simply have to remind yourself of each important step in the shooting sequence; especially shooting form. Most often, you have to tell yourself to slow down. The pressured mind often loses its ability to accurately account for passing time. Everything seems to occur in a blur when nothing has actually changed. Forgive Yourself, Move On Just as importantly, don’t let a single failure defeat you mentally. Develop the ability to forgive yourself, leave the past behind. Learn from mistakes and turn them into positive experiences. Tell yourself, “Glad that’s out of the way. Now I’m ready.” This is more productive than allowing self-doubt to fester and grow. It takes willpower. Use positive mental imagery to create that will. Success breeds confidence. While experienced bowhunters certainly become selective as years pass, this does not mean they cannot use the occasional confidence booster. Off-season wild boars, does during regular seasons, and small game all help support that confidence.

  Sep 22, 2011 2349
• 12 Sep 2011
  Indiana Sees 82 Percent Spike In Lyme Disease Cases

  Indiana Sees 82 Percent Spike In Lyme Disease Cases Indiana's confirmed human cases of Lyme disease soared 82 percent over a five-year period, and experts say the surge might have been caused by an increase in the tiny ticks that spread the illness to humans. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana's confirmed human cases of Lyme disease soared 82 percent over a five-year period, and experts say the surge might have been caused by an increase in the tiny ticks that spread the illness to humans. The Journal & Courier reported (http://bit.ly/paPVQD ) that Lyme disease cases in Indiana rose from 34 in 2005 to 62 in 2009, the most recent year for which detailed data has been released. Health officials aren't sure what's behind the increase, but theories range from an upswing in reporting of cases to an increase in ticks infected with the Lyme disease bacterium. Deer ticks, which are black-legged and about the size of sesame seeds, feed on deer and can pick up the bacterium when they also feed on white-footed mice. Infected ticks then spread it to humans by feeding on them. Purdue University entomologist Timothy Gibb said the deer tick is most likely being transported south and east across the state on the backs of deer, especially as the state's deer population increases. Antibiotics easily cure most people of Lyme disease. But early symptoms are vague and flu-like, except for Lyme's hallmark round, red rash. People who aren't treated can develop arthritis, meningitis and some other serious illnesses. "Chances of transmission are pretty slim but still the consequences of the disease are serious enough that we've got to be careful about it,'' Gibb said. "It's prudent for people to use discretion as much as possible to prevent it.'' In northwestern Indiana, where a possible surge in cases has occurred, nearly 20 people at a recent town hall meeting in Ogden Dunes said they had Lyme disease. Jennifer House, an epidemiologist with the state health department, said she could not confirm the number of Lyme disease cases in that area. She said the situation in Ogden Dunes, a town along Lake Michigan, is under review. Gibb said it would not be surprising for that area to see a surge in cases since northwestern Indiana, northeastern Illinois and southern Wisconsin are "traditionally a hot spot for deer.'' He said less than 3 percent of deer ticks — the only tick species that transmits Lyme disease — are infected with the bacterium. State health officials say May through September is the period in which ticks are most active. In 2009, 83 percent of Lyme disease cases were reported during that span, with the bulk occurring in June, July and August. Six cases were reported in September and five in October. Gibb said that as adults, deer ticks primarily feed on deer and not people. "So hunters or taxidermists who deal with deer will sometimes get the adult ticks on them,'' he said. Other ticks such as the American dog tick are more common and often find their way onto humans, Gibb said.

  1254 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Indiana Sees 82 Percent Spike In Lyme Disease Cases

  Indiana Sees 82 Percent Spike In Lyme Disease Cases Indiana's confirmed human cases of Lyme disease soared 82 percent over a five-year period, and experts say the surge might have been caused by an increase in the tiny ticks that spread the illness to humans. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana's confirmed human cases of Lyme disease soared 82 percent over a five-year period, and experts say the surge might have been caused by an increase in the tiny ticks that spread the illness to humans. The Journal & Courier reported (http://bit.ly/paPVQD ) that Lyme disease cases in Indiana rose from 34 in 2005 to 62 in 2009, the most recent year for which detailed data has been released. Health officials aren't sure what's behind the increase, but theories range from an upswing in reporting of cases to an increase in ticks infected with the Lyme disease bacterium. Deer ticks, which are black-legged and about the size of sesame seeds, feed on deer and can pick up the bacterium when they also feed on white-footed mice. Infected ticks then spread it to humans by feeding on them. Purdue University entomologist Timothy Gibb said the deer tick is most likely being transported south and east across the state on the backs of deer, especially as the state's deer population increases. Antibiotics easily cure most people of Lyme disease. But early symptoms are vague and flu-like, except for Lyme's hallmark round, red rash. People who aren't treated can develop arthritis, meningitis and some other serious illnesses. "Chances of transmission are pretty slim but still the consequences of the disease are serious enough that we've got to be careful about it,'' Gibb said. "It's prudent for people to use discretion as much as possible to prevent it.'' In northwestern Indiana, where a possible surge in cases has occurred, nearly 20 people at a recent town hall meeting in Ogden Dunes said they had Lyme disease. Jennifer House, an epidemiologist with the state health department, said she could not confirm the number of Lyme disease cases in that area. She said the situation in Ogden Dunes, a town along Lake Michigan, is under review. Gibb said it would not be surprising for that area to see a surge in cases since northwestern Indiana, northeastern Illinois and southern Wisconsin are "traditionally a hot spot for deer.'' He said less than 3 percent of deer ticks — the only tick species that transmits Lyme disease — are infected with the bacterium. State health officials say May through September is the period in which ticks are most active. In 2009, 83 percent of Lyme disease cases were reported during that span, with the bulk occurring in June, July and August. Six cases were reported in September and five in October. Gibb said that as adults, deer ticks primarily feed on deer and not people. "So hunters or taxidermists who deal with deer will sometimes get the adult ticks on them,'' he said. Other ticks such as the American dog tick are more common and often find their way onto humans, Gibb said.

  Sep 12, 2011 1254
• 11 Aug 2011
  Wyoming and Feds Announce Plan For Delisting Wolves

  Wyoming ranchers and hunters fed up with wolves attacking livestock and other wildlife would be able to shoot the predators on sight in most of the state under a tentative agreement state and federal officials announced Wednesday. CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming ranchers and hunters fed up with wolves attacking livestock and other wildlife would be able to shoot the predators on sight in most of the state under a tentative agreement state and federal officials announced Wednesday. Gov. Matt Mead and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said they've come to terms over how to end federal protections for gray wolves in Wyoming — the last state in the Northern Rockies where the animals remain under federal management. Hours later, a judge rejected a legal challenge to a federal budget bill rider that removed protections for the gray wolf in the other Northern Rockies states. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy of Missoula, Mont., said precedent by a federal appeals court required him to uphold the provision passed earlier this year that stripped wolves of their endangered status in Montana and Idaho, and in parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah. It was not immediately clear Wednesday whether conservation groups planned to appeal. While some neighboring states plan to let licensed hunters kill wolves at certain times of the year, Wyoming would be the only one to allow people to shoot wolves in most of the state year-round without a license. Environmentalists swiftly blasted the agreement, saying it offers wolves too little protection and would fail judicial review unless Congress approves pending language to insulate it from legal challenges. Mead said state management of wolves is overdue in Wyoming, where many say the animals have taken a heavy toll since they were reintroduced in the 1990s. "For years, ranchers and sheep producers have been asked to sacrifice, and they have. We have lost significant numbers of elk and moose, and we have not had a say in the management of an animal inside Wyoming,'' Mead said. "It's time for that to change. ...'' Salazar has traveled to Wyoming repeatedly in recent months to work on the agreement. He said the gray wolf's recovery serves as a "great example'' of how the Endangered Species Act can work to keep imperiled animals from becoming extinct. "The agreement we've reached with Wyoming recognizes the success of this iconic species and will ensure the long-term conservation of gray wolves,'' Salazar said Wednesday. Environmental groups, however, said the deal doesn't afford wolves adequate protection. "We do think that it's important that wolf management decisions be based on science, and not on these kind of closed-door political negotiations,'' said Collette Adkins Giese, a lawyer with the Center for Biological Diversity in Minnesota. Under the agreement, Wyoming would commit to maintaining at least 10 breeding pairs and 100 wolves outside Yellowstone National Park. There are now about 340 wolves in the state, of which 230 are outside the park. Wolves immediately outside Yellowstone would be subject to regulated hunting in a zone that would expand slightly in the winter months to give wolves more protection in an area south of Jackson. Those in the rest of the state would be classified as predators that could be shot on sight. Wyoming's commitment to classifying wolves as predators in most of the state has been a stumbling block to ending federal wolf management for years even as neighboring states have taken over their own wolf management. Idaho and Montana are planning licensed hunts this fall in which hundreds of wolves could be killed. Wyoming has filed several lawsuits over the issue, trying without success for years to force federal officials to accept its plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service went as far as helping Wyoming revise its wolf management plan in 2007 and approving it the next year. But the agency repudiated the plan just months later after Judge Molloy criticized it in response to a lawsuit brought by environmental groups. Wyoming's shoot-on-sight policy continues to generate controversy. Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey announced Wednesday he had written to Salazar questioning his decision to reach a deal with the state. "Science, not politics, should ensure the conservation and management of the gray wolves in Wyoming, should they be delisted,'' wrote Markey, the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., has inserted language into a pending Interior appropriations bill that specifies any delisting of wolves in Wyoming would be exempt from court challenges. Congress approved similar language earlier this year for delisting wolves in Montana, Idaho and other Western states except Wyoming. Some environmental groups had mounted a legal challenge in Molloy's court, but his ruling Wednesday said Congress had authority to shield the delisting actions from legal review. Steve Ferrell, Mead's policy adviser on endangered species, said Wyoming hopes Congress will act to stipulate that any final delisting plan for the state will be exempt from legal challenges. Ferrell said the federal government plans to propose a draft delisting rule by Oct. 1. He said it could take a year for the final rule to be approved to allow Wyoming to take over wolf management. The Wyoming Legislature will consider changes to the state's current wolf management plan when it meets early next year. Chris Colligan, Wyoming wildlife advocate for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, says the push to exempt the agreement from legal review shows the deal is politically motivated and not supported by sound science. "It says that Wyoming and certainly our congressional representatives, they know that this plan is not legally or biologically sufficient,'' he said.

  1385 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Wyoming and Feds Announce Plan For Delisting Wolves

  Wyoming ranchers and hunters fed up with wolves attacking livestock and other wildlife would be able to shoot the predators on sight in most of the state under a tentative agreement state and federal officials announced Wednesday. CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming ranchers and hunters fed up with wolves attacking livestock and other wildlife would be able to shoot the predators on sight in most of the state under a tentative agreement state and federal officials announced Wednesday. Gov. Matt Mead and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said they've come to terms over how to end federal protections for gray wolves in Wyoming — the last state in the Northern Rockies where the animals remain under federal management. Hours later, a judge rejected a legal challenge to a federal budget bill rider that removed protections for the gray wolf in the other Northern Rockies states. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy of Missoula, Mont., said precedent by a federal appeals court required him to uphold the provision passed earlier this year that stripped wolves of their endangered status in Montana and Idaho, and in parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah. It was not immediately clear Wednesday whether conservation groups planned to appeal. While some neighboring states plan to let licensed hunters kill wolves at certain times of the year, Wyoming would be the only one to allow people to shoot wolves in most of the state year-round without a license. Environmentalists swiftly blasted the agreement, saying it offers wolves too little protection and would fail judicial review unless Congress approves pending language to insulate it from legal challenges. Mead said state management of wolves is overdue in Wyoming, where many say the animals have taken a heavy toll since they were reintroduced in the 1990s. "For years, ranchers and sheep producers have been asked to sacrifice, and they have. We have lost significant numbers of elk and moose, and we have not had a say in the management of an animal inside Wyoming,'' Mead said. "It's time for that to change. ...'' Salazar has traveled to Wyoming repeatedly in recent months to work on the agreement. He said the gray wolf's recovery serves as a "great example'' of how the Endangered Species Act can work to keep imperiled animals from becoming extinct. "The agreement we've reached with Wyoming recognizes the success of this iconic species and will ensure the long-term conservation of gray wolves,'' Salazar said Wednesday. Environmental groups, however, said the deal doesn't afford wolves adequate protection. "We do think that it's important that wolf management decisions be based on science, and not on these kind of closed-door political negotiations,'' said Collette Adkins Giese, a lawyer with the Center for Biological Diversity in Minnesota. Under the agreement, Wyoming would commit to maintaining at least 10 breeding pairs and 100 wolves outside Yellowstone National Park. There are now about 340 wolves in the state, of which 230 are outside the park. Wolves immediately outside Yellowstone would be subject to regulated hunting in a zone that would expand slightly in the winter months to give wolves more protection in an area south of Jackson. Those in the rest of the state would be classified as predators that could be shot on sight. Wyoming's commitment to classifying wolves as predators in most of the state has been a stumbling block to ending federal wolf management for years even as neighboring states have taken over their own wolf management. Idaho and Montana are planning licensed hunts this fall in which hundreds of wolves could be killed. Wyoming has filed several lawsuits over the issue, trying without success for years to force federal officials to accept its plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service went as far as helping Wyoming revise its wolf management plan in 2007 and approving it the next year. But the agency repudiated the plan just months later after Judge Molloy criticized it in response to a lawsuit brought by environmental groups. Wyoming's shoot-on-sight policy continues to generate controversy. Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey announced Wednesday he had written to Salazar questioning his decision to reach a deal with the state. "Science, not politics, should ensure the conservation and management of the gray wolves in Wyoming, should they be delisted,'' wrote Markey, the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., has inserted language into a pending Interior appropriations bill that specifies any delisting of wolves in Wyoming would be exempt from court challenges. Congress approved similar language earlier this year for delisting wolves in Montana, Idaho and other Western states except Wyoming. Some environmental groups had mounted a legal challenge in Molloy's court, but his ruling Wednesday said Congress had authority to shield the delisting actions from legal review. Steve Ferrell, Mead's policy adviser on endangered species, said Wyoming hopes Congress will act to stipulate that any final delisting plan for the state will be exempt from legal challenges. Ferrell said the federal government plans to propose a draft delisting rule by Oct. 1. He said it could take a year for the final rule to be approved to allow Wyoming to take over wolf management. The Wyoming Legislature will consider changes to the state's current wolf management plan when it meets early next year. Chris Colligan, Wyoming wildlife advocate for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, says the push to exempt the agreement from legal review shows the deal is politically motivated and not supported by sound science. "It says that Wyoming and certainly our congressional representatives, they know that this plan is not legally or biologically sufficient,'' he said.

  Aug 11, 2011 1385
• 08 Jul 2011
  Grizzly Bear with Cubs Mauls/Kills Yellowstone Hiker

  YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A 57-year-old hiker was killed Wednesday morning in Yellowstone National Park when he and his wife encountered a sow grizzly bear with cubs. Torrence, California native Brian Matayoshi and his wife Marylin were hiking along the Wapiti Lake Trail, which is a 32-mile round trip hike that starts at the Upper Falls trail head just south of Canyon Village and spans east to Wapiti Lake. According to NBCMontana.com, the couple were a mile and half away from the trailhead, hiking west towards their vehicle mid-morning when they arrived at an open meadow after traveling through a forested area. Matayoshi spotted the bear and her cubs 100 yards away and immediately started to back track away from the bear. When the couple turned around to look, they saw the horrifying site of the sow running down the trail after them. The couple immediately started running, but the bear caught Brian, savaging the hiker with multiple bite and claw wounds. The bear then turned her attention to Marylin who was now laying down near her fallen husband. The bear chomped down on her day pack, lifting her up, before slamming her back to the ground. As Marylin lay still, the grizzly sow eventually left, leaving Marylin frantically calling 911 and screaming out to other hikers. When park rangers arrived, Brian Matayoshi was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack occurred just south of Canyon Village along the Wapiti Lake Trail. “It is extremely unfortunate that this couple’s trip into the Yellowstone backcountry has ended in tragedy,” said Dan Wenk, Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. “Our heart goes out to the family and friends of the victim as they work to cope with their loss.”

  3228 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Grizzly Bear with Cubs Mauls/Kills Yellowstone Hiker

  YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A 57-year-old hiker was killed Wednesday morning in Yellowstone National Park when he and his wife encountered a sow grizzly bear with cubs. Torrence, California native Brian Matayoshi and his wife Marylin were hiking along the Wapiti Lake Trail, which is a 32-mile round trip hike that starts at the Upper Falls trail head just south of Canyon Village and spans east to Wapiti Lake. According to NBCMontana.com, the couple were a mile and half away from the trailhead, hiking west towards their vehicle mid-morning when they arrived at an open meadow after traveling through a forested area. Matayoshi spotted the bear and her cubs 100 yards away and immediately started to back track away from the bear. When the couple turned around to look, they saw the horrifying site of the sow running down the trail after them. The couple immediately started running, but the bear caught Brian, savaging the hiker with multiple bite and claw wounds. The bear then turned her attention to Marylin who was now laying down near her fallen husband. The bear chomped down on her day pack, lifting her up, before slamming her back to the ground. As Marylin lay still, the grizzly sow eventually left, leaving Marylin frantically calling 911 and screaming out to other hikers. When park rangers arrived, Brian Matayoshi was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack occurred just south of Canyon Village along the Wapiti Lake Trail. “It is extremely unfortunate that this couple’s trip into the Yellowstone backcountry has ended in tragedy,” said Dan Wenk, Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. “Our heart goes out to the family and friends of the victim as they work to cope with their loss.”

  Jul 08, 2011 3228
• 08 Jul 2011
  New York Hunting Groups Back Protection of Young Bucks

  A coalition of sporting groups is urging the Department of Environmental Conservation to ban hunting of yearling bucks in parts of southern New York, saying the new approach to deer management has led to dramatic improvement in the deer herd.   ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A coalition of sporting groups is urging the Department of Environmental Conservation to ban hunting of yearling bucks in parts of southern New York, saying the new approach to deer management has led to dramatic improvement in the deer herd in pilot areas. Some hunters oppose a mandatory restriction on hunting yearlings, also called spikehorns, saying it's unfair to hunters and hard to enforce. The proposed restriction, affecting parts of Sullivan, Ulster, Delaware, Greene and Schoharie counties, is part of DEC's new five-year deer management plan. The agency is taking comments through July 28. David Hartman, president of the New York State Whitetail Management Coalition, says Tuesday that hunters in Ulster and Sullivan counties have harvested the biggest bucks since the late 1920s in antler restriction areas.

  1001 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  New York Hunting Groups Back Protection of Young Bucks

  A coalition of sporting groups is urging the Department of Environmental Conservation to ban hunting of yearling bucks in parts of southern New York, saying the new approach to deer management has led to dramatic improvement in the deer herd.   ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A coalition of sporting groups is urging the Department of Environmental Conservation to ban hunting of yearling bucks in parts of southern New York, saying the new approach to deer management has led to dramatic improvement in the deer herd in pilot areas. Some hunters oppose a mandatory restriction on hunting yearlings, also called spikehorns, saying it's unfair to hunters and hard to enforce. The proposed restriction, affecting parts of Sullivan, Ulster, Delaware, Greene and Schoharie counties, is part of DEC's new five-year deer management plan. The agency is taking comments through July 28. David Hartman, president of the New York State Whitetail Management Coalition, says Tuesday that hunters in Ulster and Sullivan counties have harvested the biggest bucks since the late 1920s in antler restriction areas.

  Jul 08, 2011 1001
• 25 Jun 2011
  Connecticut Residents Pounce on Talk of Loose Cougar

  After a mountain lion was found dead near Greenwich last week, residents of the wealthy New York City suburb have been seeing cougars everywhere: perched on a wall at a golf course, traipsing down a scenic parkway, being chased by a pair of dogs. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — After a mountain lion was found dead near Greenwich last week, residents of the wealthy New York City suburb have been seeing cougars everywhere: perched on a wall at a golf course, traipsing down a scenic parkway, being chased by a pair of dogs. Officials say the dead mountain lion likely escaped from captivity and found no evidence of other lions stalking Connecticut. That hasn't stopped the buzz from permeating the essence of an idyllic suburb normally accustomed to worrying about geese droppings, the future of a makeshift Wiffle ball stadium and a proposed ban on leaf blowers. "Just five minutes ago somebody from Old Bedford Road said they saw it,'' said William Strain, who owns a store in the backcountry of Greenwich, where the lion was spotted. But experts say such sightings are notoriously unreliable, with people often confusing bobcats, coyotes, dogs and other animals for lions, especially amid the recent hullabaloo. "It's a big exotic wild animal that's capable of killing a human being,'' said Mark Dowling, a director with the Cougar Network. "I just think people are excited about something big, dangerous and exotic. I think people want to be able to say they've seen something exciting, extraordinary.'' He acknowledged, though, that it's possible more than one cougar got loose. State officials believe a mountain lion killed June 11 on a highway in Milford was the same one spotted earlier more than 30 miles away in Greenwich. But reports of more sightings persist. A woman walking her dog Wednesday reported seeing two ``hounds'' chase a big cat, and a golf course employee said he saw a mountain lion on a stone wall. Police in nearby Fairfield received two sightings of a mountain lion. A big cat was spotted in northwest Greenwich a day after the lion was killed in Milford and another motorist reported seeing one on the Merritt Parkway. The sightings prompted the closing of trails at the Audubon Center in Greenwich. Rashe Campbell, manager of the Pet Pantry store in Greenwich, said a few customers with large Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs have come in to buy brightly colored collars in hopes of sparing them from anyone taking up arms against a mountain lion. Dick Hoyt, who owns an outdoor trading shop in Greenwich, welcomed the animal. "It's pretty exciting to see something you would think you would have to go to a national park to see,'' he said. "It's just seems so out of place. It's great that there are a lot of natural woods that critters like that can survive.'' Some experts see a deeper reason for the phenomenon: A desire to believe in a comeback by nature. "There is something in us that needs this sense of wild, especially in the most drab suburban places,'' said Christopher Spatz, president of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation. "The cougar represents that. It reanimates things for people in these places that are as sterile as could be.'' State officials say they believe the mountain lion found dead was kept illegally and either escaped or was released. They are conducting tests to determine its origins. Alan Rabinowitz, a zoologist who is president and CEO of New York-based Panthera and whose research in Belize in the 1980s led to the creation of the world's first jaguar preserve, said he agrees with wildlife officials that lions found in the Northeast have captive origins. But he said it's possible a small population of lions has learned to exist in the wild. "There's a possibility that they are surviving in small numbers in the wooded areas of the Northeast,'' Rabinowitz said. "Some of these could be multi-generational. Having once been captive, they are now wild animals. They are not just being set free as pets.'' Rabinowitz said there have been credible sightings of mountain lions around the Northeast along with tracks and hair. He said there is plenty of prey such as deer, and mountain lions are highly adaptable and secretive. But other private and government experts disagree. They say even a small population of mountain lions would be detectable through tracks, cameras set up by hunters and accidents with vehicles, but extensive surveys and investigations have failed to turn up signs of a population living in the wild or breeding. "The evidence is not there,'' said Mark McCollough, endangered species biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who wrote the report concluding the eastern cougar was extinct. "Even if there were captive animals released in the Northeast, we have no evidence that if there were they have survived for very long and left much if any trail of evidence that can point to a cougar persisting in this area.'' The closest possibility was in Delaware, where numerous cougar sightings were reported for a few years nearly a decade ago and then stopped, McCollough said. He said one or two cougars likely survived in the wild for a short period. McCollough's report acknowledges credible sightings of cougars in the Northeast. "Based on the best available scientific evidence, we believe these are released or escaped captive animals. Breeding, if it occurs, seems to be extremely rare, and there is no evidence of a persisting population established from released captive animals,'' the report concludes. Cougars remain out west and some have extended their range into Midwestern states. Some experts believe they will eventually make it back east.

  2822 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Connecticut Residents Pounce on Talk of Loose Cougar

  After a mountain lion was found dead near Greenwich last week, residents of the wealthy New York City suburb have been seeing cougars everywhere: perched on a wall at a golf course, traipsing down a scenic parkway, being chased by a pair of dogs. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — After a mountain lion was found dead near Greenwich last week, residents of the wealthy New York City suburb have been seeing cougars everywhere: perched on a wall at a golf course, traipsing down a scenic parkway, being chased by a pair of dogs. Officials say the dead mountain lion likely escaped from captivity and found no evidence of other lions stalking Connecticut. That hasn't stopped the buzz from permeating the essence of an idyllic suburb normally accustomed to worrying about geese droppings, the future of a makeshift Wiffle ball stadium and a proposed ban on leaf blowers. "Just five minutes ago somebody from Old Bedford Road said they saw it,'' said William Strain, who owns a store in the backcountry of Greenwich, where the lion was spotted. But experts say such sightings are notoriously unreliable, with people often confusing bobcats, coyotes, dogs and other animals for lions, especially amid the recent hullabaloo. "It's a big exotic wild animal that's capable of killing a human being,'' said Mark Dowling, a director with the Cougar Network. "I just think people are excited about something big, dangerous and exotic. I think people want to be able to say they've seen something exciting, extraordinary.'' He acknowledged, though, that it's possible more than one cougar got loose. State officials believe a mountain lion killed June 11 on a highway in Milford was the same one spotted earlier more than 30 miles away in Greenwich. But reports of more sightings persist. A woman walking her dog Wednesday reported seeing two ``hounds'' chase a big cat, and a golf course employee said he saw a mountain lion on a stone wall. Police in nearby Fairfield received two sightings of a mountain lion. A big cat was spotted in northwest Greenwich a day after the lion was killed in Milford and another motorist reported seeing one on the Merritt Parkway. The sightings prompted the closing of trails at the Audubon Center in Greenwich. Rashe Campbell, manager of the Pet Pantry store in Greenwich, said a few customers with large Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs have come in to buy brightly colored collars in hopes of sparing them from anyone taking up arms against a mountain lion. Dick Hoyt, who owns an outdoor trading shop in Greenwich, welcomed the animal. "It's pretty exciting to see something you would think you would have to go to a national park to see,'' he said. "It's just seems so out of place. It's great that there are a lot of natural woods that critters like that can survive.'' Some experts see a deeper reason for the phenomenon: A desire to believe in a comeback by nature. "There is something in us that needs this sense of wild, especially in the most drab suburban places,'' said Christopher Spatz, president of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation. "The cougar represents that. It reanimates things for people in these places that are as sterile as could be.'' State officials say they believe the mountain lion found dead was kept illegally and either escaped or was released. They are conducting tests to determine its origins. Alan Rabinowitz, a zoologist who is president and CEO of New York-based Panthera and whose research in Belize in the 1980s led to the creation of the world's first jaguar preserve, said he agrees with wildlife officials that lions found in the Northeast have captive origins. But he said it's possible a small population of lions has learned to exist in the wild. "There's a possibility that they are surviving in small numbers in the wooded areas of the Northeast,'' Rabinowitz said. "Some of these could be multi-generational. Having once been captive, they are now wild animals. They are not just being set free as pets.'' Rabinowitz said there have been credible sightings of mountain lions around the Northeast along with tracks and hair. He said there is plenty of prey such as deer, and mountain lions are highly adaptable and secretive. But other private and government experts disagree. They say even a small population of mountain lions would be detectable through tracks, cameras set up by hunters and accidents with vehicles, but extensive surveys and investigations have failed to turn up signs of a population living in the wild or breeding. "The evidence is not there,'' said Mark McCollough, endangered species biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who wrote the report concluding the eastern cougar was extinct. "Even if there were captive animals released in the Northeast, we have no evidence that if there were they have survived for very long and left much if any trail of evidence that can point to a cougar persisting in this area.'' The closest possibility was in Delaware, where numerous cougar sightings were reported for a few years nearly a decade ago and then stopped, McCollough said. He said one or two cougars likely survived in the wild for a short period. McCollough's report acknowledges credible sightings of cougars in the Northeast. "Based on the best available scientific evidence, we believe these are released or escaped captive animals. Breeding, if it occurs, seems to be extremely rare, and there is no evidence of a persisting population established from released captive animals,'' the report concludes. Cougars remain out west and some have extended their range into Midwestern states. Some experts believe they will eventually make it back east.

  Jun 25, 2011 2822
• 24 Jun 2011
  Gargantuan Bruins

  by Mike Strandlund, Editor, Bowhunting World     The size of paw tracks, bear bed depressions, claw marks, and dung will tell you if there’s a big bruin nearby.     Americans have been enthralled with hunting black bears ever since Davy Crockett killed “hiself a bar when he was only three.” But settling your sights on a better-than-average specimen, a fall bruin that tips the scales at 300 pounds or better, is not so an easy task even for Davy. What is the secret to success? You have to interpret the sign these big bears leave behind correctly. Here are four clues that point to the whereabouts of a book bruin. TRACKS Generally, a black bear with a front pad measuring five or more inches across is a boar, and a candidate for the Pope & Young Club. But stumbling upon a big track is no guarantee you will ever see that bear again…unless he is regularly frequenting a nearby food source. A big boar will put his paws in the same place each time he visits the site, eventually leaving a trail of pie-plate size impressions on the ground. A big male will also slowly step over a log leaving a front footprint near its edge whereas sows will step six inches to a foot past the log in their haste to get to the goodies. BEAR TRAILS Boars are super-cautious when they eat and will often circle an old apple orchard or man-made bait pile before committing themselves to the setup. Why? The last thing they want now is a close encounter with a bigger male for surely a brawl will ensue. Look for a faint trail that lies just within sight of the food source. You may have to get down on your hands and knees and examine the forest duff carefully, but locating such sign separates the casual bear hunter from the real experts. A depression in the leaves will indicate where the bear lay down to keep tabs on the site until near dark, giving you yet another clue as to his body size. Indeed, pay close attention to any bear bed exceeding 40 inches in length. BEAR DROPPINGS Bear poop can also indicate a bear’s body size. A coil the diameter of a soft drink can, for example, indicates a mature boar’s presence. Again, no guarantee you will ever see this bruin, but when droppings are deposited on a trail leading to a food source, it usually indicates the boar is laying claim to the site. It may take two to four days before the boar returns, and even so it may be under the cover of darkness. Try depositing dung from another bear on the same trail, and see if the challenge pays off with an early sighting. BEAR CLAWS Big bears do not climb trees! Don’t be fooled by this old wives’ tale. Giant bears often climb aspen trees in the spring, and cherry and beech trees in the fall to feed, as evidenced by claw markings six to eight inches in width escalating vertically along the tree’s trunk. Average bears leave markings half that in width. If the scars are fresh and there is still food in the tree, he’ll be back.

  1386 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Gargantuan Bruins

  by Mike Strandlund, Editor, Bowhunting World     The size of paw tracks, bear bed depressions, claw marks, and dung will tell you if there’s a big bruin nearby.     Americans have been enthralled with hunting black bears ever since Davy Crockett killed “hiself a bar when he was only three.” But settling your sights on a better-than-average specimen, a fall bruin that tips the scales at 300 pounds or better, is not so an easy task even for Davy. What is the secret to success? You have to interpret the sign these big bears leave behind correctly. Here are four clues that point to the whereabouts of a book bruin. TRACKS Generally, a black bear with a front pad measuring five or more inches across is a boar, and a candidate for the Pope & Young Club. But stumbling upon a big track is no guarantee you will ever see that bear again…unless he is regularly frequenting a nearby food source. A big boar will put his paws in the same place each time he visits the site, eventually leaving a trail of pie-plate size impressions on the ground. A big male will also slowly step over a log leaving a front footprint near its edge whereas sows will step six inches to a foot past the log in their haste to get to the goodies. BEAR TRAILS Boars are super-cautious when they eat and will often circle an old apple orchard or man-made bait pile before committing themselves to the setup. Why? The last thing they want now is a close encounter with a bigger male for surely a brawl will ensue. Look for a faint trail that lies just within sight of the food source. You may have to get down on your hands and knees and examine the forest duff carefully, but locating such sign separates the casual bear hunter from the real experts. A depression in the leaves will indicate where the bear lay down to keep tabs on the site until near dark, giving you yet another clue as to his body size. Indeed, pay close attention to any bear bed exceeding 40 inches in length. BEAR DROPPINGS Bear poop can also indicate a bear’s body size. A coil the diameter of a soft drink can, for example, indicates a mature boar’s presence. Again, no guarantee you will ever see this bruin, but when droppings are deposited on a trail leading to a food source, it usually indicates the boar is laying claim to the site. It may take two to four days before the boar returns, and even so it may be under the cover of darkness. Try depositing dung from another bear on the same trail, and see if the challenge pays off with an early sighting. BEAR CLAWS Big bears do not climb trees! Don’t be fooled by this old wives’ tale. Giant bears often climb aspen trees in the spring, and cherry and beech trees in the fall to feed, as evidenced by claw markings six to eight inches in width escalating vertically along the tree’s trunk. Average bears leave markings half that in width. If the scars are fresh and there is still food in the tree, he’ll be back.

  Jun 24, 2011 1386
• 24 Jun 2011
  Planning A Wilderness Hunt

  In the wilderness, deer hunting becomes a special experience that is unforgettable. by Keith Sutton   In wilderness areas, undisturbed by humans and development, white-tailed deer often grow old and reach large sizes. Today, more and more deer hunters are looking for ways to escape the trappings of civilization. The bustle of our technological society has created a compulsion to log as much time in the backcountry as possible. Deer season offers that chance. Unfortunately, large tracts of backcountry are harder and harder to find. What outdoorsman has not experienced the disappointment of returning to a favored hunting spot only to find it forever altered? Perhaps a “No Trespassing” sign has gone up, or land development is occurring. As human populations grow, such experiences increase. Fortunately, the Wilderness Act of 1964 set aside undeveloped lands where hunters still can enjoy a get-away-from-it-all experience. Congress, in the Act, defined wilderness as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain ...” Our country is blessed with hundreds of statutory wilderness areas encompassing millions of acres of prime deer habitat. These lands are remote enough to offer total solitude. On a wilderness trek, you say goodbye to the world’s troubles and welcome the backcountry. Hunting wilderness area deer isn’t care-free, though. These pristine tracts are open only to those willing to overcome the distance and rugged terrain with their nomad home on their back. Austerity is a prerequisite, for everything the hunter needs to survive and pursue his quarry must be packed in on foot or horseback. Wilderness deer hunting doesn’t begin at dawn, break at noon and end at dusk. It is a total sporting existence lasting every minute of every day and night spent in the wild. The U.S. Forest Service offers this reminder to wilderness explorers: “As a wilderness area visitor, be aware you are entering a primitive environment where you will be faced with the challenge of being entirely self-sufficient for whatever time you plan to remain there. There are no shelters, campgrounds, tables, fire grates, water spigots or detailed trail signs. You will be either afoot or on horseback, because no motorized vehicles are permitted in these areas. You will meet and live with nature on its own terms, and become familiar with the sometimes scary feeling of being completely on your own far from the nearest trace of civilization.” For most, however, the rewards of a wilderness hunting experience far exceed the investments. My friend Bill Jones has been hunting deer in wilderness areas for decades, backpacking in and camping up to nine days. The allure of these natural sanctuaries keeps drawing him back.   Glynn Harris of Ruston, La. approaches a buck killed on a wilderness hunting trip. The chance to get away from crowds and into unfettered backcountry draws a few hardy hunters to wilderness areas.  “When I’m walking into a wilderness area, I can feel the stress draining away,” Jones says. “You might spend a whole day and not see another individual. The only noise you hear, other than woodland sounds, might be the low drone of an airplane. It’s quiet, allowing you contemplate the reason for your existence. It’s almost a religious experience.” Preparedness, says Jones, is important to enjoying wilderness experiences. Hunters should be in top physical condition and well versed in first aid, orienteering and outdoor cookery. “You might be miles from the nearest road,” he says. “There are no vehicles, nobody to take care of you. So you must know all your camping skills and be able to take care of health and safety on your own. Getting lost is most likely to happen, so be sure you’re an accomplished map reader. Leave a map with family or friends so someone knows where you are and when you’re expected to return.” Some hunters are drawn to wilderness areas because chances of bagging a trophy buck are excellent. Reduced hunting pressure means bucks live longer and grow bigger. For some people, though, bagging a deer is secondary to the aesthetics of a wilderness hunt. “Our group has hunted one wilderness area for eight seasons, and we’ve only killed two deer,” Jones says. “But we keep going back because of the way it makes you feel. I realize once I’m out there how important my family is to me. In fact, I realize how important everything around me is. I think, what in the world would I do without GORE-TEX? How do you suppose an Indian would have lived through that rainstorm in a buffalo robe? It puts things in perspective. “As you get to the last night,” he continues, “you sit around the campfire, and you know tomorrow you must go back to the real world. It gets emotional sometimes because you know you won’t have this exact same experience again. Before you’ve even left, you’re already thinking about the next trip.” The thrills of deer hunting are one reason for a wilderness visit. But if you go to all the trouble of journeying into these remote places for just one purpose — hunting — you’re wasting your energy and missing the point. The common denominator of wilderness areas is their difference from the tame lands you leave behind. Learn to comprehend the difference, then you will truly enjoy the soul-wrenching pleasure a wilderness deer hunt can offer.

  1128 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Planning A Wilderness Hunt

  In the wilderness, deer hunting becomes a special experience that is unforgettable. by Keith Sutton   In wilderness areas, undisturbed by humans and development, white-tailed deer often grow old and reach large sizes. Today, more and more deer hunters are looking for ways to escape the trappings of civilization. The bustle of our technological society has created a compulsion to log as much time in the backcountry as possible. Deer season offers that chance. Unfortunately, large tracts of backcountry are harder and harder to find. What outdoorsman has not experienced the disappointment of returning to a favored hunting spot only to find it forever altered? Perhaps a “No Trespassing” sign has gone up, or land development is occurring. As human populations grow, such experiences increase. Fortunately, the Wilderness Act of 1964 set aside undeveloped lands where hunters still can enjoy a get-away-from-it-all experience. Congress, in the Act, defined wilderness as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain ...” Our country is blessed with hundreds of statutory wilderness areas encompassing millions of acres of prime deer habitat. These lands are remote enough to offer total solitude. On a wilderness trek, you say goodbye to the world’s troubles and welcome the backcountry. Hunting wilderness area deer isn’t care-free, though. These pristine tracts are open only to those willing to overcome the distance and rugged terrain with their nomad home on their back. Austerity is a prerequisite, for everything the hunter needs to survive and pursue his quarry must be packed in on foot or horseback. Wilderness deer hunting doesn’t begin at dawn, break at noon and end at dusk. It is a total sporting existence lasting every minute of every day and night spent in the wild. The U.S. Forest Service offers this reminder to wilderness explorers: “As a wilderness area visitor, be aware you are entering a primitive environment where you will be faced with the challenge of being entirely self-sufficient for whatever time you plan to remain there. There are no shelters, campgrounds, tables, fire grates, water spigots or detailed trail signs. You will be either afoot or on horseback, because no motorized vehicles are permitted in these areas. You will meet and live with nature on its own terms, and become familiar with the sometimes scary feeling of being completely on your own far from the nearest trace of civilization.” For most, however, the rewards of a wilderness hunting experience far exceed the investments. My friend Bill Jones has been hunting deer in wilderness areas for decades, backpacking in and camping up to nine days. The allure of these natural sanctuaries keeps drawing him back.   Glynn Harris of Ruston, La. approaches a buck killed on a wilderness hunting trip. The chance to get away from crowds and into unfettered backcountry draws a few hardy hunters to wilderness areas.  “When I’m walking into a wilderness area, I can feel the stress draining away,” Jones says. “You might spend a whole day and not see another individual. The only noise you hear, other than woodland sounds, might be the low drone of an airplane. It’s quiet, allowing you contemplate the reason for your existence. It’s almost a religious experience.” Preparedness, says Jones, is important to enjoying wilderness experiences. Hunters should be in top physical condition and well versed in first aid, orienteering and outdoor cookery. “You might be miles from the nearest road,” he says. “There are no vehicles, nobody to take care of you. So you must know all your camping skills and be able to take care of health and safety on your own. Getting lost is most likely to happen, so be sure you’re an accomplished map reader. Leave a map with family or friends so someone knows where you are and when you’re expected to return.” Some hunters are drawn to wilderness areas because chances of bagging a trophy buck are excellent. Reduced hunting pressure means bucks live longer and grow bigger. For some people, though, bagging a deer is secondary to the aesthetics of a wilderness hunt. “Our group has hunted one wilderness area for eight seasons, and we’ve only killed two deer,” Jones says. “But we keep going back because of the way it makes you feel. I realize once I’m out there how important my family is to me. In fact, I realize how important everything around me is. I think, what in the world would I do without GORE-TEX? How do you suppose an Indian would have lived through that rainstorm in a buffalo robe? It puts things in perspective. “As you get to the last night,” he continues, “you sit around the campfire, and you know tomorrow you must go back to the real world. It gets emotional sometimes because you know you won’t have this exact same experience again. Before you’ve even left, you’re already thinking about the next trip.” The thrills of deer hunting are one reason for a wilderness visit. But if you go to all the trouble of journeying into these remote places for just one purpose — hunting — you’re wasting your energy and missing the point. The common denominator of wilderness areas is their difference from the tame lands you leave behind. Learn to comprehend the difference, then you will truly enjoy the soul-wrenching pleasure a wilderness deer hunt can offer.

  Jun 24, 2011 1128
• 24 Jun 2011
  Hunting Coyotes with the Stealth Approach

  It takes planning, practice, and some good old fashioned woodsman skills to sneak that close to a coyote without his awareness. by Tom Austin   The Wyoming sage peppered the yellow grass valley where a dozen or so head of Black Angus were grazing. White capped mountains in the distance warned me that the heavy snows of winter would fall here soon. I parked the Tacoma out of sight from the valley I planned to call and carefully snuck along the 10-foot deep, red-clay ravine, which split this valley into two equal halves. After gaining some distance from the Tacoma, I ascended out of the ravine and quickly sat down on its edge concealing myself with a sage tall enough to hide my silhouette. I chambered a round of Dead Coyote into the Benelli and began a stint of the bunny blues with a well-used FOXPRO, open-reed hand call known as the Lil’ Skyote. I groaned and wailed quivering tones into the call for less than 30 seconds when I caught motion right in front of me. Coyote! Totally unaware of my presence, the coyote came double time to my cries stopping seven yards from my feet. I decided that was close enough so I put the Benelli to work. I gathered my calling gear along with the coyote and snuck back into the ravine quietly so I could call this stand another day. At 30 seconds into the series, that coyote had to be less than 100 yards away when I started. The stealth approach to my stand location put another hide on the stretcher. It takes planning, practice, and some good old fashioned woodsman skills to sneak that close to a coyote without his awareness. I get a lot of opportunities to mentor newbie predator callers with my guide service, Predator Strikeforce. As a result of this, I’ve developed some rules for approaching a stand with stealth and precision. Rule 1: This Ain’t NASCAR Don’t rev and race your motor while approaching a stand. I realize in NASCAR this type of behavior will draw a crowd, but when predator hunting, you’ll finish last. Rule 2: Bumpin’ And Slammin’ Is For Gangsta’s Coyotes and bobcats could care less if you have 1,000 Watt’s of power crashing through your speakers. Keep the windows rolled up, turn the music down, and don’t slam the doors. Rule 3: Crossing Fences Is An Art—Perfect It Any sound you make while crossing a fence will travel both directions sending a telegraph to critters that you’re in the area. Cross as quietly as possible and if you happen to snag your delicates on barbed wire, scream in silence. Rule 4: Sticks And Stones Might Break Your Stand Stepping on sticks, crashing through leaves or tripping over rocks are all great ways to ruin your stand. Slow down, watch where you’re stepping and tread lightly to avoid making a lot of noise. Rule 5: Monkey See, Monkey Run Away If a predator sees you, that predator will leave. Don’t expose yourself while approaching your stand and expect to consistently call in predators. Plan your approach using the terrain for concealment. Most of us loved to play Army when we were younger, some of us still do. Figuring out the terrain, sneaking in on the enemy and planning the attack are all part of it. Apply these five simple rules, use some discipline, and make a plan of attack on a battlefield near you. About The Author For the past 26 years, Tom’s passion has been calling predators and because of that passion, Predator Strikeforce was born. As owner and operator of Predator Strikeforce, Tom has daily opportunities to hone his skills “hunting the hunter.” Predator Strikeforce allows individuals of all ages, both male and female, the opportunity to get up close and personal with the hunters of the animal kingdom. Individuals who embark on a predator hunting adventure with Predator Strikeforce have an opportunity to “get their 15 minutes of fame” through the film. Tom writes editorials for AR Guns & Hunting and authors a monthly column for Predator Xtreme magazine titled “Caller for Hire.” He literally hunts predators from Canada to Mexico and every hilltop and valley floor in between. For Tom, predator hunting isn’t just an obsession; it’s a way of life.

  1529 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Hunting Coyotes with the Stealth Approach

  It takes planning, practice, and some good old fashioned woodsman skills to sneak that close to a coyote without his awareness. by Tom Austin   The Wyoming sage peppered the yellow grass valley where a dozen or so head of Black Angus were grazing. White capped mountains in the distance warned me that the heavy snows of winter would fall here soon. I parked the Tacoma out of sight from the valley I planned to call and carefully snuck along the 10-foot deep, red-clay ravine, which split this valley into two equal halves. After gaining some distance from the Tacoma, I ascended out of the ravine and quickly sat down on its edge concealing myself with a sage tall enough to hide my silhouette. I chambered a round of Dead Coyote into the Benelli and began a stint of the bunny blues with a well-used FOXPRO, open-reed hand call known as the Lil’ Skyote. I groaned and wailed quivering tones into the call for less than 30 seconds when I caught motion right in front of me. Coyote! Totally unaware of my presence, the coyote came double time to my cries stopping seven yards from my feet. I decided that was close enough so I put the Benelli to work. I gathered my calling gear along with the coyote and snuck back into the ravine quietly so I could call this stand another day. At 30 seconds into the series, that coyote had to be less than 100 yards away when I started. The stealth approach to my stand location put another hide on the stretcher. It takes planning, practice, and some good old fashioned woodsman skills to sneak that close to a coyote without his awareness. I get a lot of opportunities to mentor newbie predator callers with my guide service, Predator Strikeforce. As a result of this, I’ve developed some rules for approaching a stand with stealth and precision. Rule 1: This Ain’t NASCAR Don’t rev and race your motor while approaching a stand. I realize in NASCAR this type of behavior will draw a crowd, but when predator hunting, you’ll finish last. Rule 2: Bumpin’ And Slammin’ Is For Gangsta’s Coyotes and bobcats could care less if you have 1,000 Watt’s of power crashing through your speakers. Keep the windows rolled up, turn the music down, and don’t slam the doors. Rule 3: Crossing Fences Is An Art—Perfect It Any sound you make while crossing a fence will travel both directions sending a telegraph to critters that you’re in the area. Cross as quietly as possible and if you happen to snag your delicates on barbed wire, scream in silence. Rule 4: Sticks And Stones Might Break Your Stand Stepping on sticks, crashing through leaves or tripping over rocks are all great ways to ruin your stand. Slow down, watch where you’re stepping and tread lightly to avoid making a lot of noise. Rule 5: Monkey See, Monkey Run Away If a predator sees you, that predator will leave. Don’t expose yourself while approaching your stand and expect to consistently call in predators. Plan your approach using the terrain for concealment. Most of us loved to play Army when we were younger, some of us still do. Figuring out the terrain, sneaking in on the enemy and planning the attack are all part of it. Apply these five simple rules, use some discipline, and make a plan of attack on a battlefield near you. About The Author For the past 26 years, Tom’s passion has been calling predators and because of that passion, Predator Strikeforce was born. As owner and operator of Predator Strikeforce, Tom has daily opportunities to hone his skills “hunting the hunter.” Predator Strikeforce allows individuals of all ages, both male and female, the opportunity to get up close and personal with the hunters of the animal kingdom. Individuals who embark on a predator hunting adventure with Predator Strikeforce have an opportunity to “get their 15 minutes of fame” through the film. Tom writes editorials for AR Guns & Hunting and authors a monthly column for Predator Xtreme magazine titled “Caller for Hire.” He literally hunts predators from Canada to Mexico and every hilltop and valley floor in between. For Tom, predator hunting isn’t just an obsession; it’s a way of life.

  Jun 24, 2011 1529
• 23 Jun 2011
  Michigan Lawmakers Grapple with Wild Pig Problem

  Michigan lawmakers are debating whether to adopt regulations for facilities that provide wild boar breeding and hunting. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's current strategy for dealing with free-roaming, wild swine that destroy crops in parts of the state is basically to shoot them on sight. That's likely not a long-term solution to the state's feral swine problem, according to wildlife officials. The Department of Natural Resources says the threat stems from pigs escaping the game ranches where they're hunted for sport. Unless state lawmakers come up with an alternative plan, the DNR will begin the process of banning possession of wild boars July 8. Lawmakers are divided on the issue as the deadline approaches. Some want to let the invasive species order take effect and put it into state law so it can't easily be altered. Others say that would unnecessarily harm game ranches that rely on wild boar hunts for a major chunk of their income. Those lawmakers seek to adopt regulations for ranches, including tougher fencing standards to prevent the animals from escaping. Wildlife officials say the time to act is now, before the state's feral swine problem becomes too big to manage with either strategy. "Think of it like skin cancer,'' said Russ Mason, chief of the DNR's wildlife division. "Right now we're dealing with a couple of moles. We can get them froze off. Ignore that, it's gonna kill you.'' A state law adopted last year allows hunters and law enforcement officers to shoot wild swine they encounter on public property. The feral swine can be killed on private property with the owner's permission. But wildlife officials doubt the strategy is enough to handle the feral swine population. The wild pigs are smarter than coyotes, Mason said, staying out of sight and on the move. "They are very good at not getting killed,'' Mason said. "They have home ranges that are enormous, if they have home ranges at all. If you take a shot today over by Grand Rapids and miss that pig, tomorrow he's going to be in Muskegon.'' Federal officials say the wild pigs exist in at least 39 states with the largest populations in California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas. The pigs can top 200 pounds, ravenously eating corn, soybeans, hay and much of anything else they stumble upon. They're also considered a disease threat to domestic livestock. The roaming pigs have been reported in at least 65 of Michigan's 83 counties. Wildlife officials estimate roughly 3,000 to 5,000 may range outside of captivity, although those numbers are doubted by some hunters who rarely see the beasts outside of game ranches. "There's not 200 pigs running around this state, let alone 5,000,'' said Doug Miller, owner of the Thunder Hills Ranch in Jackson County. Miller considers the DNR population estimates a "joke'' and says game ranches are unfairly blamed for the swine's presence in the wild. The Michigan Animal Farmers Association is contesting the ban with a court case pending in Ingham County. Miller also has elk and deer on his hunting ranch, but said wild boars are the key to his business. He'd rather face the regulations than an outright ban on the boars. "I'm in favor of reasonable regulations for us,'' he said. "There isn't anything to prevent just any old person from having pigs. There needs to be some regulations.'' Game ranches would be required to pay fees for inspections, testing, applications and other procedures. Swine would have to be kept within secure fences. Different versions of the regulations have been proposed in the House and Senate. Rep. Ed McBroom, a Republican and dairy farmer from Vulcan, prefers a strategy that would implement regulations while continuing the state's see-a-pig, shoot-a-pig policy. "Let that law work on our feral pig problem, then put a law in place that allows the good actors in this state, the good businessmen, to stay in business,'' McBroom said. Opponents say anything less than banning the animals would be asking for trouble. Members of organizations representing pork producers and milk producers are among those supporting a ban, citing the risk to crops and the potential for spreading disease. "As far as I'm concerned, bringing in wild hogs to this state would be like bringing in Asian carp and putting them in a pond for fishing,'' said Sen. Rick Jones, a Republican from Grand Ledge who has sponsored legislation to put the DNR ban into state law. "There's going to be a flood and they're going to escape. These wild boars are escaping.'' If the ban were to go into effect, it would be phased in. DNR officials say ranch owners would be given time to have large scale hunts, sell off animals to ranches in states where hunts are permitted or take other steps to adjust. "We intend to structure the removal of pigs in a way that allows guys in a very reasonable way to restructure their business to assure that none of them suffer significant economic harm,'' Mason said.

  1361 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Michigan Lawmakers Grapple with Wild Pig Problem

  Michigan lawmakers are debating whether to adopt regulations for facilities that provide wild boar breeding and hunting. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's current strategy for dealing with free-roaming, wild swine that destroy crops in parts of the state is basically to shoot them on sight. That's likely not a long-term solution to the state's feral swine problem, according to wildlife officials. The Department of Natural Resources says the threat stems from pigs escaping the game ranches where they're hunted for sport. Unless state lawmakers come up with an alternative plan, the DNR will begin the process of banning possession of wild boars July 8. Lawmakers are divided on the issue as the deadline approaches. Some want to let the invasive species order take effect and put it into state law so it can't easily be altered. Others say that would unnecessarily harm game ranches that rely on wild boar hunts for a major chunk of their income. Those lawmakers seek to adopt regulations for ranches, including tougher fencing standards to prevent the animals from escaping. Wildlife officials say the time to act is now, before the state's feral swine problem becomes too big to manage with either strategy. "Think of it like skin cancer,'' said Russ Mason, chief of the DNR's wildlife division. "Right now we're dealing with a couple of moles. We can get them froze off. Ignore that, it's gonna kill you.'' A state law adopted last year allows hunters and law enforcement officers to shoot wild swine they encounter on public property. The feral swine can be killed on private property with the owner's permission. But wildlife officials doubt the strategy is enough to handle the feral swine population. The wild pigs are smarter than coyotes, Mason said, staying out of sight and on the move. "They are very good at not getting killed,'' Mason said. "They have home ranges that are enormous, if they have home ranges at all. If you take a shot today over by Grand Rapids and miss that pig, tomorrow he's going to be in Muskegon.'' Federal officials say the wild pigs exist in at least 39 states with the largest populations in California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas. The pigs can top 200 pounds, ravenously eating corn, soybeans, hay and much of anything else they stumble upon. They're also considered a disease threat to domestic livestock. The roaming pigs have been reported in at least 65 of Michigan's 83 counties. Wildlife officials estimate roughly 3,000 to 5,000 may range outside of captivity, although those numbers are doubted by some hunters who rarely see the beasts outside of game ranches. "There's not 200 pigs running around this state, let alone 5,000,'' said Doug Miller, owner of the Thunder Hills Ranch in Jackson County. Miller considers the DNR population estimates a "joke'' and says game ranches are unfairly blamed for the swine's presence in the wild. The Michigan Animal Farmers Association is contesting the ban with a court case pending in Ingham County. Miller also has elk and deer on his hunting ranch, but said wild boars are the key to his business. He'd rather face the regulations than an outright ban on the boars. "I'm in favor of reasonable regulations for us,'' he said. "There isn't anything to prevent just any old person from having pigs. There needs to be some regulations.'' Game ranches would be required to pay fees for inspections, testing, applications and other procedures. Swine would have to be kept within secure fences. Different versions of the regulations have been proposed in the House and Senate. Rep. Ed McBroom, a Republican and dairy farmer from Vulcan, prefers a strategy that would implement regulations while continuing the state's see-a-pig, shoot-a-pig policy. "Let that law work on our feral pig problem, then put a law in place that allows the good actors in this state, the good businessmen, to stay in business,'' McBroom said. Opponents say anything less than banning the animals would be asking for trouble. Members of organizations representing pork producers and milk producers are among those supporting a ban, citing the risk to crops and the potential for spreading disease. "As far as I'm concerned, bringing in wild hogs to this state would be like bringing in Asian carp and putting them in a pond for fishing,'' said Sen. Rick Jones, a Republican from Grand Ledge who has sponsored legislation to put the DNR ban into state law. "There's going to be a flood and they're going to escape. These wild boars are escaping.'' If the ban were to go into effect, it would be phased in. DNR officials say ranch owners would be given time to have large scale hunts, sell off animals to ranches in states where hunts are permitted or take other steps to adjust. "We intend to structure the removal of pigs in a way that allows guys in a very reasonable way to restructure their business to assure that none of them suffer significant economic harm,'' Mason said.

  Jun 23, 2011 1361