Dove Season And Earl

As reported earlier under a state of emergency in North Carolina individual rights to keep and bear arms is suspended unless you are on your own property. With the approaching hurricane Earl a state of emergency was declared by our governor for the state not the coast but the state. Here in the Raleigh area they are not predicting we’ll get anything out of this storm which is great news.
Dove Season opens here on Saturday and that is a huge social event but Earl and the State of Emergency was putting a threat on a lot of plans. A number of folks concerned about that have contacted NC Wildlife Commission inquiring about the impact of the State of Emergency and Dove Hunting. My understanding at this point is that NCWRC has consulted with the State Attorney on this issue and they say the state of emergency does not impact dove hunting and people can hunt. Some type of formal announcement should be posted on their website clarifying this issue.
Developing….

UPDATE:

Norman Young of the Attorney General’s office has examined the state of emergency declaration, the statutes involved and has consulted with his counterparts in the Attorney General’s criminal section. As a result of Norman’s research, he finds that during this state of emergency there is no legal impediment to hunting.

Dale Caveny

NCWRC

Division of Law Enforcement

1717 MSC

Raleigh, NC 27699

Office 919-707-0032

Did The Governor Just Put Hunting Season On Hold?

With a major hurricane sitting just off the coast of North Carolina the potential for some damage along the coast is likely. The Governor declared a state of emergency for North Carolina which includes the suspension of our second amendment rights ;

14 288.7. Transporting dangerous weapon or substance during emergency; possessing off premises; exceptions.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for any person to transport or possess off his own premises any dangerous weapon or substance in any area:
(1) In which a declared state of emergency exists; or
(2) Within the immediate vicinity of which a riot is occurring.
(b) This section does not apply to persons exempted from the provisions of G.S. 14 269 with respect to any activities lawfully engaged in while carrying out their duties.
(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1969, c. 869, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 192; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

NC Laws

Seems ridiculous to me that we have a law that prevents law abiding citizens from going armed especially during a “State of Emergency” when there is an increase in danger and a more likelihood that a situation could arise where a armed citizen could prevent or defend themselves or someone else in an emergency situation. I don’t know it just seems counterintuitive to me to suspend the 2nd amendment during a state of emergency.

While I’m not sure that this law is widely enforced there have been recent situations where it was. King NC made news when the police chief received threats after a state of emergency was declared during a snow storm this past February.

This is a bad law that needs to be removed from the books and I know that there has been some talk about doing just that.

I also think it is irresponsible and pure laziness on our elective officials to just declare a state of emergency. While Earl is threatening the coastal areas of the state there is no threat to probably 75% of the state although the entire state is under a state of emergency. That means if this law is enforced gun sales in the state of NC are currently suspended (I have no direct knowledge whether this is happening or not), individuals with CCP cannot legally carry off their property, and us hunters can’t transport a firearm in our trucks. All us freedom loving people got to get together and get this ridiculous law off the book. And Hey “Governor Cupcake” how about declaring state of emergencies by areas affected and not statewide.

Well the season for me this weekend won’t be on hold no matter if the state of emergency is still in effect or not.

Getting Ready To Chase Some Geese

Today was the opening of the residential goose season but for me opening day won’t be here till Friday. The geese taunted me this morning as I drove into the office and I saw flock after flock feeding in cow pastures I pass on the way to work.

Residential geese populations have exploded over the past few years and while many few them as pests getting access to hunt them can be difficult. Geese learn quickly areas that are safe and those that are not so hunters have to adjust and move to stay on the X.

I’m anxious to try out the new Remington Hypersonic Steel in hunting conditions. The layout blind is ready, my calls are set, and we have a place picked out that the geese are using. Now as long as Earl scoots north like they say it should hopefully nothing will mess them up so they don’t alter their pattern before Friday.

Waterfowl Stamps and US Postal

I don’t know why but every year it seems like a wild goose chase to find a post office that has them. This year I went to three finally finding them in the main post office downtown Raleigh across from the Federal Courthouse. The other places I went all expected to get them in any day now but with the goose season opening tomorrow this seems like an issue to me. I wonder if they should do like the state does with the state stamp and just charge you for it noting it on your license that you have it without physically giving you one. What do you guys think? Pain if you hunt multiple states I’m sure.

Many sporting good stores that carry hunting equipment and hunting licenses may also have Waterfowl Stamps. Season opens in the morning so if you’re going good luck. Me I won’t get out until Friday so save a few for me.

Feral or Wild Dogs Becoming A Big Threat In North Carolina

Packs of roaming dogs have been an issue for a while in parts of North Carolina but we are beginning to see more and more issues across the state with them. Wild dogs are a serious threat to individuals as well as livestock and pets. It has been a number of years since I had an encounter while deer hunting. Luckily I had a rifle with me but not everyone that encounters these wild dogs has weapons with them.

“We have a serious problem with packs of aggressive dogs running in the city and county, and we need to be proactive to protect our citizens from these wild animals,” said Dr. John Lauby, a veterinarian and Animal Services director.
Animal Services has received reports of rabbits, cats and other small animals being killed in their yards by wild dogs. Packs have been seen and reported in the following areas:
• Old Wilmington Road to Campbell Avenue and Cool Spring Street
• Commerce Street to Bradford Avenue and Hay Street
• Raeford Road corridor, near Fairway Drive, off Willborough Avenue, near Berkshire Road and South McPherson Church Road
• Raeford Road at Wildwood and Aftonshire Drives
• Lamon, Moore and Hillsboro Streets
• Shaw Road and Holland Street
• Mike and Johnson Streets

WRAL

People should be cautious and ready to protect themselves and their property.

Hunter Safety Instructors Save a Life

Charles Perry and Joe Miller had just completed teaching the First Aid portion of a Hunter Safety Class one Friday evening last March when a car accident nearby put them in a real life and death struggle.

They found the victim pinned under the car. Perry, a nationally
registered EMT-Paramedic, quickly assessed the victim and found
his vital signs were deteriorating rapidly. The car was crushing his
chest to the point where respiration and heart functions were
almost non-existent.
Miller, who owns a local landscaping company, went to locate a jack
while Perry informed dispatchers of his assessment of the victim,
and requested an air ambulance to respond, citing multiple trauma.
Miller returned with a jack, which he used to slowly lift the car up,
relieving some pressure from the victim but not enough to make the
vehicle unstable. The victim’s vital signs made rapid improvement
and he actually began to speak to Perry, who maintained immobilization until the Harnett County EMS and Harnett County
Fire-Rescue arrived moments later. Medics agreed with Perry to complete the stabilization of the victim and prepare for resuscitation
efforts. Using pressure airbags, they lifted the car and carefully removed the victim from underneath, then prepared
him for flight transport. The victim was flown to a local hospital and survived the incident.

The full story of this adventure is the summer edition of the NCWRC Hunter Education Instructor Newsletter.

I’ve known Charles for a number of years and I can tell you he is the real deal. We’ve hunted together a number of times and done a bunch of other stuff. I know he spends a lot of time working with kids on developing outdoor skills and a number of them are kids who fathers are deployed defending freedom. I’m not surprised that Charles was able to save a life cause I know he has done it countless other times.

A tip of the hat to all those who volunteer to teach hunter safety…. most of them have no idea the lives they touch and save because of what they do.

Breaking News EPA Agrees With NRA They Have No Legal Authority to Control Lead Ammo

A move by antis to get the EPA to ban lead ammunition has failed after public outcry and pressure from grassroot groups.

Responding to a grassroots outcry from gun owners, the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has denied a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity and other radical groups that had sought to ban the use of lead in ammunition.

Agreeing with the position of the NRA and the firearms industry, the agency explained in a news release that it “does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).” Further crushing the hopes of anti-gun and anti-hunting activists, the release added: “nor is the agency seeking such authority.”

NRA

This is great news

EPA To Ban Lead Ammo?!!!! Can They Do That???

In what is one of the greatest threats to the second amendment since the failed OSHA ban on ammo the EPA is looking to take a similar approach. Don’t ban the guns just make the ammo costly or impossible to obtain. Tom over at the Black Bear Blog has a detailed breakdown of how they are trying to pull this one off.

Check out the Camo Underground for the latest news and breaking information on this story.

We’ve stopped them before we need to stop them again.

NRA’s Letter

Climate Change and NC Wildlife Action Plan Meeting Next Week In Raleigh

Incorporating Climate Change Into North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan

FINAL REMINDER: Full registration ends this Thursday, the 26th at COB. Any registrations after this date must contact Chris North at 704-332-5696 or chris@ncwf.org to register.

“Incorporating Climate Change Into North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan” is a one and half day workshop that initiates the first step in an on-going effort to engage stakeholders across the state in integrating climate change into North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan.

September 1-2, 2010 Raleigh Convention Center.
Visit http://www.ncwildlife.org/plan/climatechange/ for more information and to register.
Workshop Goals
• Engage stakeholders on the issue of climate change and wildlife.
• Garner stakeholder support for and input on using North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan as a framework for addressing climate change as it relates to wildlife.
Workshop Objectives
• Provide information on and discuss climate change impacts to wildlife in North Carolina and identify priority actions to address these impacts and safeguard wildlife.
• Identify and share information on stakeholder activities and efforts related to addressing climate change impacts on wildlife.
• Initiate a discussion on how climate change should be integrated into the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan.
On the Agenda

Keynote Speaker – Bruce Stein, Assistant Director, National Wildlife FederationWildlife Conservation and Global Warming “The Future ain’t what it used to be”

Federal Climate Change Activities: An Unprecedented Opportunity to Conserve Fish and
Wildlife Threatened by Climate Change, Austin Kane, National Wildlife Federation

Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife and Habitats in North Carolina
Amielle DeWan, Director of Conservation Planning, Defenders of Wildlife

North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan Implementation and Revision, NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Ecosystem Response to Climate Change: Assessment of Effects and Adaptation Strategies
Linda Pearsall, Director, Office of Conservation, Planning and Community Affairs, NCDENR

Also, breakout sessions to get your feedback and for you to share your knowledge.
Posters

Attendees are invited to submit posters describing implementation of the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan or climate change-related projects. Send your poster request, along with a brief description, to Chris North of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, chris@ncwf.org.

Hosted by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife, the workshop is partially funded by the State Wildlife Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
________________________________________

If you want to be part of this event you have to act fast as the deadline is Thursday this week. Here is a link to the online registration system. I wish I could attend however that is the opening week of goose season.

Who Dunnit? Bet It was The Hunter

I guess I’m not the only one that has noticed the negative stereotypical characterizations of hunters in our crime dramas on TV. Kathy Ethling in the St Loius Post Dispatch this past Sunday had a good read about how the image of hunters on TV has changed. Gone are the days of Mayberry when hunting was as common normal activity to now where hunting is mistakenly portrayed as a step in the progression of becoming a serial killer.

Would you like to wow your friends with your ability to predict who, in a TV crime or legal drama, will eventually be found to be the killer or all-around bad guy or gal? Well, just zero in on anyone who is 1.) a hunter; 2.) has mounted deer or taxidermy animals — ducks, fish, etc. — hanging on the walls; or 3.) wearing fur. Just like that you will have nailed down the identity of the TV villain probably 99 times out of 100.

Check out the rest of her Story You don’t have to be a CSI Investigator to figure this one out.

New Site For Outdoor News

A new website Camo Underground is making a big splash on the net with lots of great hunting, outdoor, and firearm stories. As some others have said this is like Drudge on flannel. Check it out

Ted Responds to News of His No Contest Plea

News broke in the last few days that Ted Nugent in a plea bargain deal with California officials plead no contest to two wildlife violations, he was facing 11 charges. On his website he posted this response;

08/18/10

To my Fellow Outdoorsmen…. You may have read the news that I pled no contest to two misdemeanor game violations. I should have been better informed, more aware and I take full responsibility. The honorable hunting lifestyle is my deepest passion.

Ted Nugent

Developing…..

Next Page »