Chris Avena 's Entries

• 19 May 2011
  Nevada Bill Would Declassify Wild Horses as Wildlife

  Wild horses — symbols of the American West that receive protections from the federal government — would have less standing than mollusks when it comes to Nevada water law under a measure that seeks to deny mustangs and burros status as wild animals. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Wild horses — symbols of the American West that receive protections from the federal government — would have less standing than mollusks when it comes to Nevada water law under a measure that seeks to deny mustangs and burros status as wild animals. The six lines contained in the measure define the term "wildlife'' as "any wild mammal, wild bird, fish, reptile amphibian, mollusk or crustacean found naturally in a wild state, whether indigenous to Nevada or not and whether raised in captivity of not. The term does not include any wild horse or burro.'' Under state law, holders of water rights must show "beneficial use" of the valuable resource before a permit is granted by the state engineer. Benefiting wildlife is one such allowable use. Wild horse advocates say if the bill passes it will deprive the animals access to water across the harsh desert landscape. Backers of the bill deny that claim. They argue that the bill's intent is to keep the federal government from obtaining new water rights specifically for horses in the future, and force the federal government's hand to deal with too many horses on the range. AB329 received bipartisan support in the Assembly, passing 35-7. It's up for hearing Friday before the Senate Natural Resources Committee. "Contrary to the claims of AB329 supporters, this proposed law could have a catastrophic impact on wild horses and burros who depend on these natural waters for survival," said Bruce Wagman, a lawyer representing the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in opposing the bill. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is charged with overseeing the estimated 33,000 wild horses that roam freely in 10 Western states. About half of those are in Nevada. Kelvin Hickenbottom, deputy state water engineer, said the BLM currently holds 28 water right permits for wildlife in which horses and burros are identified as users of the water. The bill, he said, "would not allow us to issue a water right for wild horses." The state agency is neutral on the bill. Alan Shepherd, BLM wild horse program manager in Nevada, said the agency's existing water rights are at or near designated herd management areas, where wild horses and burros were included under the wildlife definition. If the bill becomes law, it will "put a different spin on how permits are evaluated in the future," he said. One sponsor of the measure, Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, said he introduced the bill at the request of ranchers and hunters. Goicoechea said the bill would not deny animals access to water, and any water rights currently held by the federal government for horses would be grandfathered. And while the state is responsible for its own wildlife, it lacks jurisdiction over horses and burros that are federally protected under the 1971 Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act. Based on that argument, the BLM should take care of them, he said. Democratic Assemblyman David Bobzien of Reno, another sponsor, said the goal is to not perpetuate the horse problem by making water available. "We have a situation out of whack," he said. "I don't want to see an exacerbation of the situation." Granting water rights, he said, "releases the pressure value on the federal government to manage wild horses." "There is a broad coalition asking for management of wild horses," Bobzien said. Kyle Davis, with the Nevada Conservation League, agreed. "Wild horses are currently causing significant environmental damage on the range," he said.

  1415 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Nevada Bill Would Declassify Wild Horses as Wildlife

  Wild horses — symbols of the American West that receive protections from the federal government — would have less standing than mollusks when it comes to Nevada water law under a measure that seeks to deny mustangs and burros status as wild animals. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Wild horses — symbols of the American West that receive protections from the federal government — would have less standing than mollusks when it comes to Nevada water law under a measure that seeks to deny mustangs and burros status as wild animals. The six lines contained in the measure define the term "wildlife'' as "any wild mammal, wild bird, fish, reptile amphibian, mollusk or crustacean found naturally in a wild state, whether indigenous to Nevada or not and whether raised in captivity of not. The term does not include any wild horse or burro.'' Under state law, holders of water rights must show "beneficial use" of the valuable resource before a permit is granted by the state engineer. Benefiting wildlife is one such allowable use. Wild horse advocates say if the bill passes it will deprive the animals access to water across the harsh desert landscape. Backers of the bill deny that claim. They argue that the bill's intent is to keep the federal government from obtaining new water rights specifically for horses in the future, and force the federal government's hand to deal with too many horses on the range. AB329 received bipartisan support in the Assembly, passing 35-7. It's up for hearing Friday before the Senate Natural Resources Committee. "Contrary to the claims of AB329 supporters, this proposed law could have a catastrophic impact on wild horses and burros who depend on these natural waters for survival," said Bruce Wagman, a lawyer representing the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in opposing the bill. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is charged with overseeing the estimated 33,000 wild horses that roam freely in 10 Western states. About half of those are in Nevada. Kelvin Hickenbottom, deputy state water engineer, said the BLM currently holds 28 water right permits for wildlife in which horses and burros are identified as users of the water. The bill, he said, "would not allow us to issue a water right for wild horses." The state agency is neutral on the bill. Alan Shepherd, BLM wild horse program manager in Nevada, said the agency's existing water rights are at or near designated herd management areas, where wild horses and burros were included under the wildlife definition. If the bill becomes law, it will "put a different spin on how permits are evaluated in the future," he said. One sponsor of the measure, Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, said he introduced the bill at the request of ranchers and hunters. Goicoechea said the bill would not deny animals access to water, and any water rights currently held by the federal government for horses would be grandfathered. And while the state is responsible for its own wildlife, it lacks jurisdiction over horses and burros that are federally protected under the 1971 Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act. Based on that argument, the BLM should take care of them, he said. Democratic Assemblyman David Bobzien of Reno, another sponsor, said the goal is to not perpetuate the horse problem by making water available. "We have a situation out of whack," he said. "I don't want to see an exacerbation of the situation." Granting water rights, he said, "releases the pressure value on the federal government to manage wild horses." "There is a broad coalition asking for management of wild horses," Bobzien said. Kyle Davis, with the Nevada Conservation League, agreed. "Wild horses are currently causing significant environmental damage on the range," he said.

  May 19, 2011 1415
• 17 May 2011
  Idaho Wolf Hunting Tags on Sale Once Again

  Hunters aiming to bag a gray wolf this year can once again buy a tag from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.   BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Hunters aiming to bag a gray wolf this year can once again buy a tag from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The state wildlife agency started selling tags for $11.50 Idaho residents Thursday, one day after the predators were taken off the endangered species list. Out-of-state hunters will have to shell out $186 for a wolf permit. The decision to delist puts wolves under state management, and Idaho officials are now setting quotas and rules for this season's wolf hunt. Hunters took the backcountry two years ago to hunt wolves after the predators were delisted the first time. Hunters killed 188 wolves during that first public hunt, short of the state limit of 220. Officials in Montana are also gearing up for a wolf hunt this fall.

  13323 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Idaho Wolf Hunting Tags on Sale Once Again

  Hunters aiming to bag a gray wolf this year can once again buy a tag from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.   BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Hunters aiming to bag a gray wolf this year can once again buy a tag from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The state wildlife agency started selling tags for $11.50 Idaho residents Thursday, one day after the predators were taken off the endangered species list. Out-of-state hunters will have to shell out $186 for a wolf permit. The decision to delist puts wolves under state management, and Idaho officials are now setting quotas and rules for this season's wolf hunt. Hunters took the backcountry two years ago to hunt wolves after the predators were delisted the first time. Hunters killed 188 wolves during that first public hunt, short of the state limit of 220. Officials in Montana are also gearing up for a wolf hunt this fall.

  May 17, 2011 13323
• 16 May 2011
  Isn’t It Time You Tried Bowfishing?

  Try something different—and fun!—during the summer off-season. by Clint Stone   At its heart, bowfishing is fun. Modern bowhunters have turned venal as day traders, if the fascination with slams and draconian quality deer management schemes is any indication. So it has become necessary while selling the idea of bowfishing to appeal to readers’ logic or, perhaps, to some Calvinistic-like principle. There’s the obligatory bit about keeping the shooting eye sharp and string-tugging muscles toned. The author would also be remiss for failing to reveal that carp (the most popular bowfishing target) are a non-native, invasive species, directly competing with desirable game fish, rendering bowfishing a guilt-free enterprise. All of this is true, but at its heart bowfishing is simply fun. Hoot and holler, smoke a cigar (only to keep mosquitoes away, of course), share the adventure with friends, or, better yet, bring the entire family, tikes included. Hardy Asian carp manage to live in waters uninhabitable by more discriminating fish, meaning they’re seldom difficult to locate. I’ve shot them from desert lakes to mountain trout streams, though there’s more to bowfishing than carp. Depending on location, targets of opportunity might include native non-game buffalofish, suckers, gars, or ocean sheephead and stingrays. With more imagination bowfishing can assume big-game dimensions, trophies such as paddlefish (Midwest), alligator gar (South), shark (Louisiana), or alligators (Florida), which all provide unique challenges and bragging-size prizes. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Bowfishing can literally turn into year-round sport, but the best time for easy, nonstop shooting is normally during the spring carp spawn. From April through June, depending on latitude and altitude, carp invade the shallows of river riffles and side channels, lake and reservoir bays, even municipal pond storm drains and feeds. They splash and wallow in shin-deep water, sometimes flopping onto shore during their heedless frolicking. Carp are easily approached while spawning and often present “flock-shooting” ease. Summer bowfishermen are rewarded by patiently stalking or poling shallows or shelves for feeders. Consult area conservation officers for hotspot tips and rules of engagement in your state. At its most basic, bowfishing involves donning waders or old duds and jumping right in—an approach especially welcomed during hot summer months. Shooting from a boat is fun and sometimes more profitable, but not absolutely necessary in most waters. You’ll need some basic gear, first a bow that you won’t mind getting wet and muddy. The inherent resistance of water and the heavy scales and bone of “trash fish” calls for heavy fish arrows, normally something weighing 1,500-plus grains. This, in turn, calls for an arrow rest designed to accommodate that extra weight, plus barbed points to keep fish from sliding off an arrow after a hit. The arrow is attached to stout cord, stored and paid out smoothly from a bowfishing reel, that also allows retrieving your arrow (and fish) after the shot. Bowfishing accessories come in various styles, price points, and function. Any old bow serves as a bowfishing platform, but specially designed bowfishing bows often prove more viable. These are compounds with non-corrosive hardware and specialty, smooth-drawing cams, or metal-handled recurves with necessary accessory taps. Compound designs allow more deliberate aiming, and more power for shooting into deeper water or at the biggest targets (most notably from boats). Recurve designs are best for shooting in shallow water or where a quick-draw is needed for moving targets, like when wading for spawning carp. While bowfishing arrows are pretty standard—heavy solid fiberglass, fancy models with carbon or aluminum sheaths—points come in more variety. This is a matter of price verses ease of use and durability. For casual shooting, especially in soft-mud bottoms, budget-priced points work fine, but removing fish from arrows is normally more time-consuming. More expensive tips are typically more durable—important when shooting near rock or stumps—and include designs that make removing fish fast and trouble-free. All fish arrows should be equipped with an AMS Safety Slide that keeps the retrieval line safe from tangles and potentially dangerous bounce-backs. Reels are the biggest variable in price and function. The inexpensive drum reel stores hand-wound line on an open, large-diameter spool, which attaches to the bow via stabilizer mount or tape-on feet. They get the job done in shallow waters where ranges are intimate, but involve slower retrieval and added bulk or weight. Mid-priced, stabilizer-mounted, close-faced spinning reels offer extra-fast arrow retrieval after misses, drags to help fight bigger fish, and compactness. Just remember to push the “cast” button before every shot or risk losing arrows to break-offs or, worse, a dangerous arrow bounce-back. Finally, the AMS Retriever Reel includes trigger-activated rollers that stack line neatly inside a side-mounted bottle during retrieval, offering zero friction during the shot with no release buttons to push before shooting. The last bits of useful advice is to invest in quality polarized sunglasses, which help penetrate surface glare and allow you to better spot submerged targets. Remember to aim low when targets fin into view. Aiming low assures compensation for image refraction though the water. (Image refraction is akin to light bending as it passes through a prism.) Objects always appear higher than they actually are, depending on water depth and shot angle. There’s no set formula to offer. Experience is the best teacher, though a couple companies have recently introduced special bowfishing sights to tackle this phenomenon. While big-game bowhunting proves ultimately rewarding, the process itself often involves tedium or drudgery. Not so with bowfishing. From the moment you wade into cooling waters to the moment when you finally connect on your first fish, bowfishing is all about start-to-finish enjoyment.

  1831 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Isn’t It Time You Tried Bowfishing?

  Try something different—and fun!—during the summer off-season. by Clint Stone   At its heart, bowfishing is fun. Modern bowhunters have turned venal as day traders, if the fascination with slams and draconian quality deer management schemes is any indication. So it has become necessary while selling the idea of bowfishing to appeal to readers’ logic or, perhaps, to some Calvinistic-like principle. There’s the obligatory bit about keeping the shooting eye sharp and string-tugging muscles toned. The author would also be remiss for failing to reveal that carp (the most popular bowfishing target) are a non-native, invasive species, directly competing with desirable game fish, rendering bowfishing a guilt-free enterprise. All of this is true, but at its heart bowfishing is simply fun. Hoot and holler, smoke a cigar (only to keep mosquitoes away, of course), share the adventure with friends, or, better yet, bring the entire family, tikes included. Hardy Asian carp manage to live in waters uninhabitable by more discriminating fish, meaning they’re seldom difficult to locate. I’ve shot them from desert lakes to mountain trout streams, though there’s more to bowfishing than carp. Depending on location, targets of opportunity might include native non-game buffalofish, suckers, gars, or ocean sheephead and stingrays. With more imagination bowfishing can assume big-game dimensions, trophies such as paddlefish (Midwest), alligator gar (South), shark (Louisiana), or alligators (Florida), which all provide unique challenges and bragging-size prizes. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Bowfishing can literally turn into year-round sport, but the best time for easy, nonstop shooting is normally during the spring carp spawn. From April through June, depending on latitude and altitude, carp invade the shallows of river riffles and side channels, lake and reservoir bays, even municipal pond storm drains and feeds. They splash and wallow in shin-deep water, sometimes flopping onto shore during their heedless frolicking. Carp are easily approached while spawning and often present “flock-shooting” ease. Summer bowfishermen are rewarded by patiently stalking or poling shallows or shelves for feeders. Consult area conservation officers for hotspot tips and rules of engagement in your state. At its most basic, bowfishing involves donning waders or old duds and jumping right in—an approach especially welcomed during hot summer months. Shooting from a boat is fun and sometimes more profitable, but not absolutely necessary in most waters. You’ll need some basic gear, first a bow that you won’t mind getting wet and muddy. The inherent resistance of water and the heavy scales and bone of “trash fish” calls for heavy fish arrows, normally something weighing 1,500-plus grains. This, in turn, calls for an arrow rest designed to accommodate that extra weight, plus barbed points to keep fish from sliding off an arrow after a hit. The arrow is attached to stout cord, stored and paid out smoothly from a bowfishing reel, that also allows retrieving your arrow (and fish) after the shot. Bowfishing accessories come in various styles, price points, and function. Any old bow serves as a bowfishing platform, but specially designed bowfishing bows often prove more viable. These are compounds with non-corrosive hardware and specialty, smooth-drawing cams, or metal-handled recurves with necessary accessory taps. Compound designs allow more deliberate aiming, and more power for shooting into deeper water or at the biggest targets (most notably from boats). Recurve designs are best for shooting in shallow water or where a quick-draw is needed for moving targets, like when wading for spawning carp. While bowfishing arrows are pretty standard—heavy solid fiberglass, fancy models with carbon or aluminum sheaths—points come in more variety. This is a matter of price verses ease of use and durability. For casual shooting, especially in soft-mud bottoms, budget-priced points work fine, but removing fish from arrows is normally more time-consuming. More expensive tips are typically more durable—important when shooting near rock or stumps—and include designs that make removing fish fast and trouble-free. All fish arrows should be equipped with an AMS Safety Slide that keeps the retrieval line safe from tangles and potentially dangerous bounce-backs. Reels are the biggest variable in price and function. The inexpensive drum reel stores hand-wound line on an open, large-diameter spool, which attaches to the bow via stabilizer mount or tape-on feet. They get the job done in shallow waters where ranges are intimate, but involve slower retrieval and added bulk or weight. Mid-priced, stabilizer-mounted, close-faced spinning reels offer extra-fast arrow retrieval after misses, drags to help fight bigger fish, and compactness. Just remember to push the “cast” button before every shot or risk losing arrows to break-offs or, worse, a dangerous arrow bounce-back. Finally, the AMS Retriever Reel includes trigger-activated rollers that stack line neatly inside a side-mounted bottle during retrieval, offering zero friction during the shot with no release buttons to push before shooting. The last bits of useful advice is to invest in quality polarized sunglasses, which help penetrate surface glare and allow you to better spot submerged targets. Remember to aim low when targets fin into view. Aiming low assures compensation for image refraction though the water. (Image refraction is akin to light bending as it passes through a prism.) Objects always appear higher than they actually are, depending on water depth and shot angle. There’s no set formula to offer. Experience is the best teacher, though a couple companies have recently introduced special bowfishing sights to tackle this phenomenon. While big-game bowhunting proves ultimately rewarding, the process itself often involves tedium or drudgery. Not so with bowfishing. From the moment you wade into cooling waters to the moment when you finally connect on your first fish, bowfishing is all about start-to-finish enjoyment.

  May 16, 2011 1831
• 09 May 2011
  Deer Drive Techniques That Work

  When I was a young man, there were two kinds of deer drives — those that worked, and those that didn’t. Now it's time to put a little more thought into it. by M.D. Johnson When I was a young man, there were two kinds of deer drives — those that worked, and those that didn’t. Here, the word worked translated into a deer or multiple deer in somebody’s truck at the conclusion of the drive. Simple as that. And as for the strategic aspects of these drives? Many I’ve been on were conducted from Point A to Point B simply because that’s the way they’ve always been done. Others involved large groups, yes literally, banging on pots and pans. Did these drives move deer? They sure as hell did; but did these same drives result in notched deer tags? To be honest — sometimes. All too often, drives like the ones above were successful purely by luck — a right time and right place kind of chance meeting. Conversely, many of these same drives ended in failure because (1) too much of the drive’s planning was based on tradition — “I’m going to stand by the oak cause that’s where I always stand,” says Uncle Ernie — or (2), attention wasn’t paid to the details. Deer drives can work; however, maybe it’s time to put a little more thought into those good old line-’em-up-and-have-at-’em runs through the timber, for as many an Old Man has told his young charge — old age and treachery will beat youth and enthusiasm every time. And trust me, consistently driving whitetails to the waiting gun is all about treachery. The Drive Master If the drivers are pawns and the standers knights, then the Drive Master is king. His word is law. If he says stand, you stand. If he tells you to wait 20 minutes, you don’t start moving in 15. And if he warns you not to shoot in that 75-degree arc, you don’t shoot. I don’t care how many inches the buck has atop his head; there’s a reason why the man said don’t shoot that way. The Drive Master’s primary responsibility is to ensure everyone’s safety. He does this by command, by command enforcement, and through his knowledge of the property being driven. True, he cannot physically be present when every trigger is pulled, nor should he have to be; however, his presence via direction and instruction should be omnipotent. Knowledge is key to the Drive Master’s effectiveness. His knowledge of the terrain allows him to organize the movement of the drivers and the placement of the standers. The coordination of transportation, too, is his responsibility, and he will typically assign vehicle drivers and drop-off/pick-up locations prior to each push. It’s vital the Drive Master possess leadership qualities, and then assume command of every aspect of every drive. Here, command entails delivering a concise pre-drive presentation. It doesn’t have to be formal, but complete instructions are important. Ideally, this talk will include a map, time for watches to be synchronized — NOTE: Timing is important to both success and safety — and an emphasis on compasses, even on short drives. Finally, command enforcement. The Drive Master must be willing to enforce his instructions, even if it means taking someone aside and speaking with them in private. Or, as I’ve seen happen in the past, removing them from the drive altogether. The Drives Because every situation is different, it’s impossible to state a hard-and-fast deer drive rule of thumb that applies to the physical how-to factor across the board; however, there are some guidelines that can and do apply regardless, and they can result in everyone involved seeing more deer and better bucks. 1. Appoint a Drive Master based on the profile above. 2. Don’t attempt to drive too large an area. Trying to work 100 acres with two standers and three drivers is usually an exercise in futility. Better, if your numbers are few, to cut a large block into smaller — perhaps 10 to 20 acres — sections, and work those slowly and thoroughly. 3. Go slow. Moving too quickly often frightens deer to the point where their escape routes become unpredictable or, as is often the case, forces the drivers past bucks that have learned the hunker-and-hide tactic. 4. Be quiet. Your mere presence in the timber is all that’s necessary to get most whitetails up and moving. An occasion thwack on a hickory with an old stick is okay, but leave the pots and pans back at camp. 5. Maintain a constant space between drivers, and adjust that space to the terrain. An even spacing between drivers is a safe spacing. As to adjusting the distance, 75 yards might be appropriate in the open timber while swampland might cut that to 75 feet. And while we’re at it, normal voices will suffice. No need to holler and scream (see #4). 6. Post standers based on their abilities. Is there an escape route that could present a 125-yard shot? If so, maybe the practiced hand with the scoped muzzleloader gets the nod there. Or, if it’s a short-range thicket crossing, then put the Foster-style slug man there. Here, the Drive Master needs to know not only the escape routes, but be able to match the shooting abilities of his standers to these routes. How? Pre-drive discussion.

  1369 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Deer Drive Techniques That Work

  When I was a young man, there were two kinds of deer drives — those that worked, and those that didn’t. Now it's time to put a little more thought into it. by M.D. Johnson When I was a young man, there were two kinds of deer drives — those that worked, and those that didn’t. Here, the word worked translated into a deer or multiple deer in somebody’s truck at the conclusion of the drive. Simple as that. And as for the strategic aspects of these drives? Many I’ve been on were conducted from Point A to Point B simply because that’s the way they’ve always been done. Others involved large groups, yes literally, banging on pots and pans. Did these drives move deer? They sure as hell did; but did these same drives result in notched deer tags? To be honest — sometimes. All too often, drives like the ones above were successful purely by luck — a right time and right place kind of chance meeting. Conversely, many of these same drives ended in failure because (1) too much of the drive’s planning was based on tradition — “I’m going to stand by the oak cause that’s where I always stand,” says Uncle Ernie — or (2), attention wasn’t paid to the details. Deer drives can work; however, maybe it’s time to put a little more thought into those good old line-’em-up-and-have-at-’em runs through the timber, for as many an Old Man has told his young charge — old age and treachery will beat youth and enthusiasm every time. And trust me, consistently driving whitetails to the waiting gun is all about treachery. The Drive Master If the drivers are pawns and the standers knights, then the Drive Master is king. His word is law. If he says stand, you stand. If he tells you to wait 20 minutes, you don’t start moving in 15. And if he warns you not to shoot in that 75-degree arc, you don’t shoot. I don’t care how many inches the buck has atop his head; there’s a reason why the man said don’t shoot that way. The Drive Master’s primary responsibility is to ensure everyone’s safety. He does this by command, by command enforcement, and through his knowledge of the property being driven. True, he cannot physically be present when every trigger is pulled, nor should he have to be; however, his presence via direction and instruction should be omnipotent. Knowledge is key to the Drive Master’s effectiveness. His knowledge of the terrain allows him to organize the movement of the drivers and the placement of the standers. The coordination of transportation, too, is his responsibility, and he will typically assign vehicle drivers and drop-off/pick-up locations prior to each push. It’s vital the Drive Master possess leadership qualities, and then assume command of every aspect of every drive. Here, command entails delivering a concise pre-drive presentation. It doesn’t have to be formal, but complete instructions are important. Ideally, this talk will include a map, time for watches to be synchronized — NOTE: Timing is important to both success and safety — and an emphasis on compasses, even on short drives. Finally, command enforcement. The Drive Master must be willing to enforce his instructions, even if it means taking someone aside and speaking with them in private. Or, as I’ve seen happen in the past, removing them from the drive altogether. The Drives Because every situation is different, it’s impossible to state a hard-and-fast deer drive rule of thumb that applies to the physical how-to factor across the board; however, there are some guidelines that can and do apply regardless, and they can result in everyone involved seeing more deer and better bucks. 1. Appoint a Drive Master based on the profile above. 2. Don’t attempt to drive too large an area. Trying to work 100 acres with two standers and three drivers is usually an exercise in futility. Better, if your numbers are few, to cut a large block into smaller — perhaps 10 to 20 acres — sections, and work those slowly and thoroughly. 3. Go slow. Moving too quickly often frightens deer to the point where their escape routes become unpredictable or, as is often the case, forces the drivers past bucks that have learned the hunker-and-hide tactic. 4. Be quiet. Your mere presence in the timber is all that’s necessary to get most whitetails up and moving. An occasion thwack on a hickory with an old stick is okay, but leave the pots and pans back at camp. 5. Maintain a constant space between drivers, and adjust that space to the terrain. An even spacing between drivers is a safe spacing. As to adjusting the distance, 75 yards might be appropriate in the open timber while swampland might cut that to 75 feet. And while we’re at it, normal voices will suffice. No need to holler and scream (see #4). 6. Post standers based on their abilities. Is there an escape route that could present a 125-yard shot? If so, maybe the practiced hand with the scoped muzzleloader gets the nod there. Or, if it’s a short-range thicket crossing, then put the Foster-style slug man there. Here, the Drive Master needs to know not only the escape routes, but be able to match the shooting abilities of his standers to these routes. How? Pre-drive discussion.

  May 09, 2011 1369
• 09 May 2011
  Perfect Practice for Bowhunters

  The offseason is the time to hone your archery skills. Don't miss the buck of a lifetime because you didn't. by Mike Strandlund, Editor, Bowhunting World You’ve dreamed for years, planned for months, and spent weeks in the woods. The moment’s finally arrived: An awesome trophy buck is slinking along a trail, a boulder’s throw from your stand. With confidence built on hours of practice, you slowly raise and draw the bow. But you’re shaking with excitement, and suddenly confused. How should you aim? A pin finally settles on the shoulder, but you’re just not sure. Maybe I’ll be lucky, you think, as the arrow lurches into flight. But only your hopes die today, as you see the shaft sail harmlessly over the buck’s withers and a bowhunter’s chance of a lifetime crashes away. You can only stare after the bobbing flag in heartbreak and disbelief. For each tale of hunting glory, for each animal taken with a bow, there are a dozen stories like this. I’ve got several of my own. The first arrow I ever shot at a deer missed by three feet, even though it was an easy shot. The biggest, closest buck I’ve ever seen lost a handful of hair but not a drop of blood when my broadhead took him low in the brisket. In the first analysis, these misses are puzzling. I practice a lot, am a pretty fair shot, and shoot only within my effective range. But when you examine the factors involved in shooting an arrow at game, you begin to see the wide difference between target accuracy and hunting accuracy. The archer on a target range shoots with no pressure, in a controlled situation, and repeatedly under the same conditions. But when he faces game, it can be at any distance or angle; the archer’s physical position or mental condition may be the worst for shooting an arrow. A friend of mine who has a room full of archery trophies, who regularly shoots quarter-size groups at 20 yards, discovered this the hard way when he completely missed a standing deer at 10 paces. Keys To Bowhunting Success There are two things of paramount importance in bowhunting. The first is perseverance. It’s easy enough. You learn to enjoy (or at least endure) boring sits and grueling stalks, or you concede to second-rate success. The other crucial key is the ability to come through at the moment of truth – to make the shot. Months, even years of preparation, as well as thousands of dollars and precious vacation time may be invested in the hopes you can execute a task that takes mere seconds. Many bowhunters work so single-mindedly on getting within range of an animal that they don’t plan what to do once they get there. But preparation will maximize your chance of success at the climax of the hunt. The average bowhunter can train himself to be better than a tournament archer at scoring on game. This level of excellence is accomplished through practice that is systematic and simulates the real thing. An ambitious bowhunter must train mentally and physically, as well as gain shooting knowledge and woods wisdom, all of which will contribute to his odds of success. I Know I Can, I Know I Can Job One is mental preparation. Once an archer has a working knowledge of bow-shooting fundamentals, the most important things for consistent accuracy are control, concentration and confidence. Train yourself to focus attention and be sure of yourself in any situation – but without being cocky or careless. Your attitude should be, I know I can do this job if I give it my fullest effort. Prepare yourself to face a living, moving, ready-to-bolt target at an uncertain shooting angle. I don’t think a bowhunter ever quite gets used to it. Most archers are aware that the vital zone of a big game animal can be much harder to hit than a target of the same size, but they don’t give it enough thought. Have you ever found yourself within 20 yards of a trophy animal beyond your wildest dreams? If not, take it from a hunter who learned the hard way: Be prepared. Strandlund’s First Law of Bowhunting reads that the size of an animal’s antlers is proportional to its chances of being missed by arrows. A corollary to that law is that if the animal walks by a bowhunter who has mentally rehearsed the encounter, chances are it will take a ride in a pickup truck. If we weren’t thrilled by the approach of a game animal, we wouldn’t have much reason to hunt. But bowhunters must learn to control that excitement. First, don’t psych yourself out. You must realize it won’t kill you to blow the shot (unless you’re hunting polar bear, which requires a frame of mind that I cannot explain here). Another method for developing control is visualization. As you practice, visualize the real thing. Olympic athletes and champions in all shooting sports use this technique to rehearse mentally as well as physically. Pretend that each of your practice shots is at a trophy buck. By the time you are in a real deer-shooting situation, you’ll feel that you’ve been through it a thousand times. It will take away much of the pressure and strangeness of a close encounter with a desirable animal. To visualize, muster all your imagination and make yourself believe you are in a real hunting situation. Imagine you see the animal approach, stop, and offer only a few seconds to shoot. Raise and draw as if it might see you. Pretend that each and every arrow is your only shot at that buck of a lifetime. If you do it right, you can simulate the pressure you’ll experience in an actual hunting situation. Your heart rate will even increase. Train yourself to shoot accurately under that stress. Visualization includes not only imagining you are in a real situation. It includes imagining a perfect shot. It’s the power of positive thinking, and it’s been proven to work. Practice Techniques It was in a bar in northern Wisconsin that I first heard it: Bow season’s coming up. I guess I got to get out and sight in my compound. I’ve heard similar statements a couple of times since, and am always baffled. I don’t think it’s a widespread problem. I believe most of us know that we can never attain decent accuracy with archery gear without long hours of practice. But for hunting success, practice must emphasize quality as well as quantity. Practice in a way that enhances your shooting in a hunting situation. The most important bowhunting fundamental is consistency. For an accurate shot, you need a rock-steady anchor point, string release, and follow-through. In the heat of the moment, this is where the bowhunter makes the most mistakes. A buck has an uncanny ability to make an uncertain shooter lower his anchor point, pluck the string, and lurch after the release. But if you’ve established an absolute shooting style, practiced like a robot, and prepared mentally, it can be just like target shooting. Experiment with equipment and shooting techniques. Make any needed changes before you begin serious preseason practice. A surprising number of bowhunters fail to tune their bows and arrows as well as they can, then blame their equipment or themselves for lousy shooting. If your hunting arrows don’t fly like your practice shafts, try changing broadheads, fletching, and spine until they do. Because broadheads are expensive and a bother to shoot at targets, most bowhunters don’t experiment enough with them. Examine your shooting style to see if you need any changes. I improved my instinctive shooting immediately when I switched to a string hold with three fingers beneath the arrow nock. A common mistake is for a hunter to make too much motion as he shoots, either raising the bow in the air as he draws or moving his head and bow arm about as he aims. All game animals are attuned to spotting close-range movement as the most critical sign of danger. If you’re careful to hold still and draw with the bow in shooting position, the only movement visible from the animal’s perspective is the elbow of your string arm extending outward.

  1638 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Perfect Practice for Bowhunters

  The offseason is the time to hone your archery skills. Don't miss the buck of a lifetime because you didn't. by Mike Strandlund, Editor, Bowhunting World You’ve dreamed for years, planned for months, and spent weeks in the woods. The moment’s finally arrived: An awesome trophy buck is slinking along a trail, a boulder’s throw from your stand. With confidence built on hours of practice, you slowly raise and draw the bow. But you’re shaking with excitement, and suddenly confused. How should you aim? A pin finally settles on the shoulder, but you’re just not sure. Maybe I’ll be lucky, you think, as the arrow lurches into flight. But only your hopes die today, as you see the shaft sail harmlessly over the buck’s withers and a bowhunter’s chance of a lifetime crashes away. You can only stare after the bobbing flag in heartbreak and disbelief. For each tale of hunting glory, for each animal taken with a bow, there are a dozen stories like this. I’ve got several of my own. The first arrow I ever shot at a deer missed by three feet, even though it was an easy shot. The biggest, closest buck I’ve ever seen lost a handful of hair but not a drop of blood when my broadhead took him low in the brisket. In the first analysis, these misses are puzzling. I practice a lot, am a pretty fair shot, and shoot only within my effective range. But when you examine the factors involved in shooting an arrow at game, you begin to see the wide difference between target accuracy and hunting accuracy. The archer on a target range shoots with no pressure, in a controlled situation, and repeatedly under the same conditions. But when he faces game, it can be at any distance or angle; the archer’s physical position or mental condition may be the worst for shooting an arrow. A friend of mine who has a room full of archery trophies, who regularly shoots quarter-size groups at 20 yards, discovered this the hard way when he completely missed a standing deer at 10 paces. Keys To Bowhunting Success There are two things of paramount importance in bowhunting. The first is perseverance. It’s easy enough. You learn to enjoy (or at least endure) boring sits and grueling stalks, or you concede to second-rate success. The other crucial key is the ability to come through at the moment of truth – to make the shot. Months, even years of preparation, as well as thousands of dollars and precious vacation time may be invested in the hopes you can execute a task that takes mere seconds. Many bowhunters work so single-mindedly on getting within range of an animal that they don’t plan what to do once they get there. But preparation will maximize your chance of success at the climax of the hunt. The average bowhunter can train himself to be better than a tournament archer at scoring on game. This level of excellence is accomplished through practice that is systematic and simulates the real thing. An ambitious bowhunter must train mentally and physically, as well as gain shooting knowledge and woods wisdom, all of which will contribute to his odds of success. I Know I Can, I Know I Can Job One is mental preparation. Once an archer has a working knowledge of bow-shooting fundamentals, the most important things for consistent accuracy are control, concentration and confidence. Train yourself to focus attention and be sure of yourself in any situation – but without being cocky or careless. Your attitude should be, I know I can do this job if I give it my fullest effort. Prepare yourself to face a living, moving, ready-to-bolt target at an uncertain shooting angle. I don’t think a bowhunter ever quite gets used to it. Most archers are aware that the vital zone of a big game animal can be much harder to hit than a target of the same size, but they don’t give it enough thought. Have you ever found yourself within 20 yards of a trophy animal beyond your wildest dreams? If not, take it from a hunter who learned the hard way: Be prepared. Strandlund’s First Law of Bowhunting reads that the size of an animal’s antlers is proportional to its chances of being missed by arrows. A corollary to that law is that if the animal walks by a bowhunter who has mentally rehearsed the encounter, chances are it will take a ride in a pickup truck. If we weren’t thrilled by the approach of a game animal, we wouldn’t have much reason to hunt. But bowhunters must learn to control that excitement. First, don’t psych yourself out. You must realize it won’t kill you to blow the shot (unless you’re hunting polar bear, which requires a frame of mind that I cannot explain here). Another method for developing control is visualization. As you practice, visualize the real thing. Olympic athletes and champions in all shooting sports use this technique to rehearse mentally as well as physically. Pretend that each of your practice shots is at a trophy buck. By the time you are in a real deer-shooting situation, you’ll feel that you’ve been through it a thousand times. It will take away much of the pressure and strangeness of a close encounter with a desirable animal. To visualize, muster all your imagination and make yourself believe you are in a real hunting situation. Imagine you see the animal approach, stop, and offer only a few seconds to shoot. Raise and draw as if it might see you. Pretend that each and every arrow is your only shot at that buck of a lifetime. If you do it right, you can simulate the pressure you’ll experience in an actual hunting situation. Your heart rate will even increase. Train yourself to shoot accurately under that stress. Visualization includes not only imagining you are in a real situation. It includes imagining a perfect shot. It’s the power of positive thinking, and it’s been proven to work. Practice Techniques It was in a bar in northern Wisconsin that I first heard it: Bow season’s coming up. I guess I got to get out and sight in my compound. I’ve heard similar statements a couple of times since, and am always baffled. I don’t think it’s a widespread problem. I believe most of us know that we can never attain decent accuracy with archery gear without long hours of practice. But for hunting success, practice must emphasize quality as well as quantity. Practice in a way that enhances your shooting in a hunting situation. The most important bowhunting fundamental is consistency. For an accurate shot, you need a rock-steady anchor point, string release, and follow-through. In the heat of the moment, this is where the bowhunter makes the most mistakes. A buck has an uncanny ability to make an uncertain shooter lower his anchor point, pluck the string, and lurch after the release. But if you’ve established an absolute shooting style, practiced like a robot, and prepared mentally, it can be just like target shooting. Experiment with equipment and shooting techniques. Make any needed changes before you begin serious preseason practice. A surprising number of bowhunters fail to tune their bows and arrows as well as they can, then blame their equipment or themselves for lousy shooting. If your hunting arrows don’t fly like your practice shafts, try changing broadheads, fletching, and spine until they do. Because broadheads are expensive and a bother to shoot at targets, most bowhunters don’t experiment enough with them. Examine your shooting style to see if you need any changes. I improved my instinctive shooting immediately when I switched to a string hold with three fingers beneath the arrow nock. A common mistake is for a hunter to make too much motion as he shoots, either raising the bow in the air as he draws or moving his head and bow arm about as he aims. All game animals are attuned to spotting close-range movement as the most critical sign of danger. If you’re careful to hold still and draw with the bow in shooting position, the only movement visible from the animal’s perspective is the elbow of your string arm extending outward.

  May 09, 2011 1638
• 07 May 2011
  New Mexico to Update Trapping Ban in Gray Wolf Area

  The state Game Commission meets in Albuquerque this week and will get an update on a temporary ban on trapping in parts of southwestern New Mexico where Mexican gray wolves have been reintroduced.  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state Game Commission meets in Albuquerque this week and will get an update on a temporary ban on trapping in parts of southwestern New Mexico where Mexican gray wolves have been reintroduced. The commission meets Thursday at the University of New Mexico's Continuing Education Conference Center. The trapping ban on public lands was ordered last year by then Gov. Bill Richardson while researchers study what risk traps and snares pose to wolves. The commission also is to hear an update on rules governing the allocation of antelope hunting permits to private landowners in New Mexico. Some sportsmen contend that more antelope licenses should be available through the state's public lands hunting lottery system. The commission's membership has changed because of recent appointments by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

  1108 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  New Mexico to Update Trapping Ban in Gray Wolf Area

  The state Game Commission meets in Albuquerque this week and will get an update on a temporary ban on trapping in parts of southwestern New Mexico where Mexican gray wolves have been reintroduced.  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state Game Commission meets in Albuquerque this week and will get an update on a temporary ban on trapping in parts of southwestern New Mexico where Mexican gray wolves have been reintroduced. The commission meets Thursday at the University of New Mexico's Continuing Education Conference Center. The trapping ban on public lands was ordered last year by then Gov. Bill Richardson while researchers study what risk traps and snares pose to wolves. The commission also is to hear an update on rules governing the allocation of antelope hunting permits to private landowners in New Mexico. Some sportsmen contend that more antelope licenses should be available through the state's public lands hunting lottery system. The commission's membership has changed because of recent appointments by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

  May 07, 2011 1108
• 04 May 2011
  Conservationists challenge plan to kill Ore wolves

  By JEFF BARNARD - AP Environmental Writer Federal wildlife authorities want to capture and kill two young wolves from the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon after another livestock kill. Conservation groups responded Tuesday by filing a lawsuit in in U.S. District Court in Portland to block the killings, saying the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had not done the formal environmental review called for by law before making the decision. The complaint noted that Wildlife Services, the agency that normally carries out decisions to kill wildlife causing problems for agriculture, agreed last year in a separate case that it would not kill wolves in Oregon until it had done an environmental review. Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Janet Lebson said she could not comment on pending litigation. She added that the wolves would be killed by Fish and Wildlife personnel. The service announced late Monday that an investigation determined a calf carcass found Saturday 10 miles east of Joseph was the result of a wolf kill. Wolf tracks were found about 1,000 feet away, and GPS tracking of one of the wolves in the pack showed it was within a half-mile of the site on Friday, when the attack was believed to have happened. The agency said in a statement that nonlethal measures such as electric fences have not kept the pack from livestock, so lethal controls are in order. The plan is to capture and kill two sub-adults from the pack, which numbers 10 to 14 wolves, to discourage the pack from attacking livestock without affecting breeding. Two wolves from the same pack were under a state kill order last summer, but that was lifted after conservation groups challenged it in a similar lawsuit. "Oregon's struggling wolf population cannot sustain these killings," Noah Greenwald of the Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement. "Oregon wolves are nowhere near recovered and continue to need protection." Greenwald said a provision of the Endangered Species Act that allowed wildlife agents to kill problem wolves in Idaho does not apply in Oregon, where they are still a federally threatened species. Authorities have said wolves that began moving into Oregon from Idaho in the 1990s are responsible for some 40 livestock kills since 2009. About 25 wolves are believed to be in Oregon. Two packs are known to exist in the northeastern corner of the state and a third is believed to be roaming an area between Pendleton and the Washington border. The lawsuit said federal agents killed two wolves in Oregon in 2009 and five others have been killed by poachers or died in accidents.

  1002 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Conservationists challenge plan to kill Ore wolves

  By JEFF BARNARD - AP Environmental Writer Federal wildlife authorities want to capture and kill two young wolves from the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon after another livestock kill. Conservation groups responded Tuesday by filing a lawsuit in in U.S. District Court in Portland to block the killings, saying the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had not done the formal environmental review called for by law before making the decision. The complaint noted that Wildlife Services, the agency that normally carries out decisions to kill wildlife causing problems for agriculture, agreed last year in a separate case that it would not kill wolves in Oregon until it had done an environmental review. Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Janet Lebson said she could not comment on pending litigation. She added that the wolves would be killed by Fish and Wildlife personnel. The service announced late Monday that an investigation determined a calf carcass found Saturday 10 miles east of Joseph was the result of a wolf kill. Wolf tracks were found about 1,000 feet away, and GPS tracking of one of the wolves in the pack showed it was within a half-mile of the site on Friday, when the attack was believed to have happened. The agency said in a statement that nonlethal measures such as electric fences have not kept the pack from livestock, so lethal controls are in order. The plan is to capture and kill two sub-adults from the pack, which numbers 10 to 14 wolves, to discourage the pack from attacking livestock without affecting breeding. Two wolves from the same pack were under a state kill order last summer, but that was lifted after conservation groups challenged it in a similar lawsuit. "Oregon's struggling wolf population cannot sustain these killings," Noah Greenwald of the Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement. "Oregon wolves are nowhere near recovered and continue to need protection." Greenwald said a provision of the Endangered Species Act that allowed wildlife agents to kill problem wolves in Idaho does not apply in Oregon, where they are still a federally threatened species. Authorities have said wolves that began moving into Oregon from Idaho in the 1990s are responsible for some 40 livestock kills since 2009. About 25 wolves are believed to be in Oregon. Two packs are known to exist in the northeastern corner of the state and a third is believed to be roaming an area between Pendleton and the Washington border. The lawsuit said federal agents killed two wolves in Oregon in 2009 and five others have been killed by poachers or died in accidents.

  May 04, 2011 1002
• 03 May 2011
  Hunter shot on opening day of turkey season in southern Maine

  By BDN staff reports  SANFORD, Maine — A 44-year-old Sanford man was shot while hunting Monday near Hollis, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has reported. According to MDIF&W, Mark Lemieux, 44, of Sanford suffered injuries to his legs, chest, head and face. The gunshot was fired by his uncle, Gerard Lemieux, 69, of Gorham, according to Maine Warden Service Lt. Adam Gormely. Mark Lemieux was treated and then released from Goodall Hospital in Sanford. The incident is under investigation by the Maine Warden Service. Monday is the first day of spring wild turkey hunting season for residents and nonresidents with a license and a permit. The season runs through June 4 in Wildlife Management Districts 7, 10 through 26, and 28, a large portion of the state excluding northern Aroostook County.

  1329 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Hunter shot on opening day of turkey season in southern Maine

  By BDN staff reports  SANFORD, Maine — A 44-year-old Sanford man was shot while hunting Monday near Hollis, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has reported. According to MDIF&W, Mark Lemieux, 44, of Sanford suffered injuries to his legs, chest, head and face. The gunshot was fired by his uncle, Gerard Lemieux, 69, of Gorham, according to Maine Warden Service Lt. Adam Gormely. Mark Lemieux was treated and then released from Goodall Hospital in Sanford. The incident is under investigation by the Maine Warden Service. Monday is the first day of spring wild turkey hunting season for residents and nonresidents with a license and a permit. The season runs through June 4 in Wildlife Management Districts 7, 10 through 26, and 28, a large portion of the state excluding northern Aroostook County.

  May 03, 2011 1329
• 29 Apr 2011
  Previously Unknown Montana Wolf Pack Kills Livestock

  Wildlife officials say a previously unknown pack of wolves is responsible for killing a calf in the Tom Miner Basin area of Park County.   LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife officials say a previously unknown pack of wolves is responsible for killing a calf in the Tom Miner Basin area of Park County. Yellowstone Cattle Company's Mike Hubbard tells The Livingston Enterprise he found the carcass April 18, and officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks determined two to three wolves were responsible for the death. FWP wolf management specialist Abby Nelson says the wolves returned to the carcass on two subsequent nights, but traps were removed after a couple of days because of signs that a grizzly bear was in the area. Nelson says a pack spent some time in the area last year but has since moved south into Yellowstone National Park. The depredation is the first reported in the area this year, and Hubbard has been issued a shoot-on-site permit for one wolf.

  1020 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  Previously Unknown Montana Wolf Pack Kills Livestock

  Wildlife officials say a previously unknown pack of wolves is responsible for killing a calf in the Tom Miner Basin area of Park County.   LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife officials say a previously unknown pack of wolves is responsible for killing a calf in the Tom Miner Basin area of Park County. Yellowstone Cattle Company's Mike Hubbard tells The Livingston Enterprise he found the carcass April 18, and officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks determined two to three wolves were responsible for the death. FWP wolf management specialist Abby Nelson says the wolves returned to the carcass on two subsequent nights, but traps were removed after a couple of days because of signs that a grizzly bear was in the area. Nelson says a pack spent some time in the area last year but has since moved south into Yellowstone National Park. The depredation is the first reported in the area this year, and Hubbard has been issued a shoot-on-site permit for one wolf.

  Apr 29, 2011 1020
• 29 Apr 2011
  $5,000 Reward for Info on Florida Panther Death

  A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a Florida panther in Seminole County.   VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a Florida panther. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the reward Monday. Remains of the dead panther were found along a Seminole County road last month. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is already working with prosecutors to file charges for the illegal possession of a Florida panther, but no information about the suspects has been released. The federal agency is still investigating who killed the animal. Florida panthers are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Scientists believe there are only about 100 left in Florida. Anyone with information should call 1-888-404-3922.                     

  1117 Posted by Chris Avena
• By Chris Avena

  $5,000 Reward for Info on Florida Panther Death

  A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a Florida panther in Seminole County.   VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a Florida panther. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the reward Monday. Remains of the dead panther were found along a Seminole County road last month. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is already working with prosecutors to file charges for the illegal possession of a Florida panther, but no information about the suspects has been released. The federal agency is still investigating who killed the animal. Florida panthers are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Scientists believe there are only about 100 left in Florida. Anyone with information should call 1-888-404-3922.                     

  Apr 29, 2011 1117