William Tapply Outdoorsman and Writer Loses Battle With Leukemia

William Tapply a well know New England writer and son of H G “Tap” Tapply passed away Tuesday at his N H home after a 2 year battle with Leukemia. He wrote a number of books including many outdoor books mostly about fishing, compiled a book of “Tap’s Tips” his father’s famous column for Field & Stream.
I guess growing up in New England many of his articles and books were very familiar to me because of the geography and the people. I went on his website tonight and saw the extensive list of all the books and articles he has written and one in particular caught my attention “Why I Hunt”. Here is a line from that article that seems somewhat fitting at this time;

I hunt because it links me with the boy I used to be and with the young man my father was then.
I hunt because it keeps my passions alive and my memories fresh and my senses alert even as my beard grows gray, and because I fear that if I stopped hunting I would become an old man, and because I believe that as long as I hunt I will remain young.

We should all stay forever young. Mr. Tapply was 69. RIP

Obituaries
Boston Globe

Midcurrent

Boston Herald

What The Heck Is The Harvest ID #?

Photo Courtesy of NCWRC

North Carolina utilizes a report card system rather than a tag system for successful hunters to remove big game animals from the kill site. The report card has the different species listed and a punch out area next to each one to be removed upon killing the animal. To complete the process the hunter must obtain a possession number from NCWRC prior to doing anything more than gutting the animal.
A new feature this season is the harvest id # that is listed on each report line here is what NCWRC says about this;

This year’s big game harvest report card contains a Harvest ID number located beside the name of each big game species. The purpose of this number is to streamline the telephone and online reporting processes. Hunters will be required to enter the appropriate Harvest ID number for the animal harvested. This number will validate the customer’s information and go straight to the questions specific to the species harvested.

I guess that means that they will no longer ask you what kind of animal you killed but will know by the number you enter. How this will streamline the process is a mystery to me. I don’t know about anyone else but some of the places I hunt there is not the greatest cell coverage. Punching in a bunch of numbers sounds complicated in the sense that it will be easy for something to get messed up. If the process messes up the only option is then for you to enter it on the computer. I certainly don’t have a computer with me so I’ll have to head home without the option of breaking a deer down to put on ice. We’ll see how this goes but I have my doubts.

Saving The Natives

A battle to save the native brook trout in Great Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina is going on. The introduction of nonnative rainbow trout and the damage to pristine streams over the years has just about eliminated the brook trout from the park.

Park fish biologist Steve Moore led the way, poking an electroshocking pole into the swift-flowing stream. The device produced a 500-volt, 0.6-amp charge that knocked out the brookies but didn’t harm them. Moore’s colleagues scooped up the stunned fish and deposited them in the buckets. Soon frisky again, the diminutive brookies measured 5 to 8 inches long.
The Cosby Creek crew, and another on nearby Tom’s Creek, collected 355 brook trout one morning earlier this month. The fish roundup was a major part of a long-term project to restore the colorful trout in 35 to 40 miles of former habitat in park streams. So far, five streams on the N.C. side and four on the Tennessee side have been completed.

N&O

Hopefully their efforts will be successful and the brook trout will once again be plentiful. Having caught both brook trout and rainbows I got to admit that I’m partial to the brookie. I think they fight better and in my book they are a very pretty fish.

Mike Zlotnici Outdoor Writer At N&O Given Pink Slip

In today’s column Mike announced his departure from the paper after not making it through the latest budget cuts.

On Monday, I learned that my position is being eliminated by the paper. There will still be an outdoors section of some sort, but it will be someone else’s baby.
In these days of declining revenues and circulation, the decision does surprise me, but I won’t dwell on the economics. Having won a company-wide award for outstanding performance and winning multiple writing awards doesn’t prevent you from getting a pink slip. That’s life at a newspaper, and I’m certainly not the first to get canned.
It was a heck of a good ride, and I appreciate the fact that for seven years the company gave me this sandbox to play in, and the reader support was overwhelming at times and very gratifying.

N&O

It’s a sad day as far as I’m concerned because the Outdoor Section and Mike’s articles were always the highlight of the week in the N&O. Thursday’s I’d race to hopefully get the sports section before it disappeared from the office copy at the start of the day. Today my day started with a downer when I read this. We’ll see what kind of Outdoor section gets produced without Mike I like many fear the local aspect will be lost.

Over his seven years he covered a lot of stories one of my favorite things was not a story he wrote but something he did. Mike took Ruth, one of the liberal columnists from the paper, out shooting at the Wake County Firearm Training Center. A great example for all of us to get those non shooting friends and colleagues out on the range to learn to shoot and to have an opportunity to experience a sport most of us love.
I wish Mike the best and hope this leads to bigger and better things for him and his family.

Nuisance Critters And NCWRC

Most people like wildlife until it becomes a nuisance or a threat to them or their property. A couple of stories in the news today with foxes terrorizing Wake County and a bear with cubs in the mountains doing the same thing.

Nancy Nau has felt like a hostage for the last six weeks, threatened by a fox that appears around her Quail Hollow home and barks at her and her two cocker spaniels.
On Saturday, she watched as the fox squeezed through fence posts to get into her backyard. She and her neighbors have spotted it with what they believe are its two babies. She can’t grill outdoors and has to let her dogs relieve themselves in her garage. She drives a few minutes to Eastgate Park so they can get some exercise and fresh air.
“I’m a prisoner in my own home,” she said.

N&O

NCWRC does not control trapping of foxes that is set by the counties. Wake county does not have a fox trapping season despite what appears to be an increase in the population. Whether it is an actual increase or just more encounters with humans due to habitat loss is up for debate. Homeowners have few options because NCWRC will not intervene unless the animal is sick or a significant threat.

Joe Folta, the commission’s wildlife biologist for District 3, which includes Wake County, said state law gives residents two options.
If an animal causes at least $50 of property damage or poses an imminent threat, homeowners can shoot it as long as local laws allow it. If an animal is killed, the death must be reported to the commission within 24 hours.
If shooting an animal isn’t an option, residents can apply for a permit, which would allow them, a family member, a neighbor or a wildlife damage-control agent to trap the fox.

Then in the mountains a bear with cubs have been stealing chickens from a family.

Cindy Woody feels as if she is running a fast-food restaurant.
A 400-pound black bear and her three cubs have stolen all of Woody’s 30 chickens out of her family’s chicken house over the past month, ripping through the chicken wire and wooden walls, leaving behind only feathers and body parts.
A flattened dog pen and mangled cage in the Woody’s backyard are all that remain of the bears’ latest foray into her coop Monday night. The family has three chickens left in a small coop in the backyard, but Woody says she thinks it is only a matter of time before the bear eats them, too.
“It’s a Chick-fil-A down there,” Woody said.

Citizens Times

Some want NCWRC to move the bears but studies show that bears once moved will almost always return to the area so it’s not a viable option.

As for killing a nuisance bear, the commission will not consider it unless the bear is endangering a person, but Carraway said residents can check with the commission to determine if they would be justified in killing the bear themselves. People who kill a bear without justification can face a fine.
Woody said she would kill the bear herself but said her neighbors would “pitch a fit.”

The property owner should be able to protect her livestock and property just like the people having fox problems.
NCWRC offers education and plans on how people should avoid negative interactions with a variety of wildlife. Common Sense is to avoid if possible access to food sources. They will not remove the nuisance critter and in many cases if they can’t be encouraged to move on killing the animal is the only option. Large landowners may consider controlling critters before they become a problem through hunting and trapping as set out by NCWRC .

Free Archery Hunting Magazine From Deer & Deer Hunting

Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine has made their 2009 Archery Annual available on line for free. Deer & Deer Hunting is a very informative magazine that I read pretty regularly and one that I think no matter your experience level you’ll find it very informative. A quick glance of the on line magazine it seems to have some great articles about Archery Hunting the only problem is how do I read it in the bathroom?

Bone Collectors Make the Show

Saturday I went to the Big Buck Expo in Greensboro and there is little doubt that the appearance of the Bone Collectors was the major draw. This was the second year of the show and although the attendance appeared to be better than last year the number of vendors appeared to be a lot less. Hard to say whether the economy or last year’s show was to blame for the drop off. One would think the appearance of Michael Waddell would also help draw vendors as well as spectators but it didn’t appear to.
The show although small was pretty good. Muzzy Hunting Camp where the Bone Collectors did a hunting seminar was a huge draw. All the seats were full 30 minutes before the start and once it got started the standing room in the back filled as well. I’d estimate there was almost 500 people at the 11:30 Seminar. The wait outside their booth to get an autograph and to shake their hands was also very long. No doubt they are some of the most popular people in the industry.
I went to the NCWRC presentation on hunting on Public Game Lands that was interesting but there was less than 10 of us for that presentation. I got to meet my local game warden at that presentation as well as learn more about habitat improvements on the game lands.
I picked up a few hunting goodies and got to see some friends so over all it was a pretty good show from that perspective. I’ll go into more detail about that in future posts.

Rob Keck Joins Bass Pro Red Head Team

The Red Head Pro Hunting Team has just got Rob Keck former CEO of National Wild Turkey Federation as a new pro staff.

“To be a part of this elite group of hunters is quite an honor for me,” stated Keck. “Johnny Morris and I have hunted together many times and he is passionate about passing on our rich hunting heritage to the next generation.”

Keck, named One of Hunting’s 25 Most Influential Personalities of the 20th Century by Peterson’s Hunting Magazine, is the former CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the voice and face of the organization for 30 years. He played a leading role in the restoration of the wild turkey across North America.

Rob Keck’s departure from NWTF last year was somewhat of a surprise but it’s good to see him joining the Red Head Team.

The RedHead Pro Team is a group of world-class hunters with over 3 centuries of combined field expertise. Members include Brenda Valentine, Bob Foulkrod, Jim and Angie Ryan, Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Walter Parrott, John Paul Morris, Allen Treadwell, and team leader Jerry Martin.

I look forward to seeing Rob Keck back on TV.

Big Buck Expo This Weekend In Greensboro

With about 6 weeks or so till the deer season opens here in North Carolina it would seem like an ideal time to have a deer hunting show. The Big Buck Expo is back in Greensboro this weekend and this year they have Michael Waddell and the Bone Collectors as a draw.

Greensboro here we come!!! The summer Expos with Michael, Nick and T-Bone have been nothing short of a blast. If you’ve never met Michael and the guys in person, you’re in for a treat. They are as crazy (and as real) in person as they are on TV. They’ll be at the show during all show hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Also, don’t forget to bring your bows and your bucks to the show. We’ll be hosting an “Open” 3-D shoot all weekend and we’ll have official P&Y and B&C scorers on hand all weekend scoring deer. The scoring for one deer is included in your admission price. Additional deer may be scored for only $5 each.

As you may recall last year’s show was dismal as far as attendance went with many of the vendors pulling out early because of the small crowds. This show came in on the heels of the very successful Buck Masters shows that were held in Greensboro while the venue they typically used in Alabama was under some major renovations. Buck Masters seemed to draw a bigger crowd so we’ll see how this year goes for the Big Buck Expo.
I hope to get up there at some point this weekend and check it out as I’m getting pumped for another hunting season that will soon be here.

Early Migratory Bird Season and Bag Limit is Set

NCWRC has announced the upcoming early season as well as the web less season. Goose hunters should be pleased because the bag limit has been raised to 15 a day for the month of September. This is an effort to control our sky rocketing residential goose population that are causing significant problems across the state. Unfortunately these birds have become adapt to staying in areas like parks and golf courses where they can’t be hunted.

The 2009-10 seasons for webless migratory game birds and waterfowl early seasons are:
• Dove: Sept. 5 – Oct 10; Nov. 23 – Nov. 28; and Dec. 19 – Jan. 15; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• King and clapper rails: Sept. 5 – Nov. 13; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• Sora and Virginia rails: Sept. 5 – Nov. 13; daily bag of 25 and possession limit of 25
• Gallinule and moorhens: Sept. 5 – Nov. 13; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• Woodcock: Jan 1 – Jan. 30; daily bag of 3 and possession limit of 6
• Common snipe: Nov. 13 – Feb. 27; daily bag of 8 and possession limit of 16
• Canada goose: Sept. 1 – 30 (statewide); daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• September teal season: Sept. 12-30 (East of U.S. 17 only); daily bag of 4 and possession limit of 8. Species include green-winged, blue-winged and cinnamon teal.

The rest of the upcoming waterfowl season will be set up next month after the state gets the federal guidelines . For more information on Migratory Bird Hunting in NC checkout NCWRC website

Magnet Gun Caddy A Handy Device

I remember it like it was yesterday but it was actually a few years ago when I found myself looking down the muzzle of a 12 gauge. Although no one was holding on to it at the time, someone had laid it across a pickup truck toolbox, I turned my head as I walked towards my truck and it was just mere inches from my nose. It startled me and with a number of people in and around the truck it was still quite unnerving. Muzzle control is of utmost importance when it comes to gun safety and even guns that are out of our hands when we take a break.
I was given a Magnet Gun Caddy to try out but it came in at the end of turkey season and I haven’t had much opportunity to try it out.

A Smarter Way to Rest Your Gun
The Magnet Gun Caddy is designed to provide a handy place to rest and protect your gun and your car. Whether you are getting ready to begin your hunt, just taking a break to water your dogs, or returning from a rewarding experience in the field, the Magnet Gun Caddy provides a fast and convenient way to rest your gun. Remember, NEVER use the Magnet Gun Caddy with a loaded gun.

Well with some work days coming up and the sightings of a coyote at the last one it seemed like a pretty good idea that we keep some fire power close by. I wanted to check the zero on my 243 so it gave me a chance to try the Magnet Caddy out. I’m sure if you’re like me you’ve rested your gun against a truck. A good way to scratch the truck and certainly dangerous if that gun is loaded. The Magnet Caddy will securely hold your unloaded gun in place against your truck or any other steel object.
I was pretty impressed with the Magnet Gun Caddy and think it is something I’ll use regularly. It has been made a permanent addition to my truck toolbox so it will always be handy.
I would think with dove season coming up soon that this would be a product a lot of folks could use. Dove hunting is a big family event here in the south and what a better time to reinforce gun safety and to make sure all those muzzles are pointed up in a safe direction.

Order Info

Panther Seen In Angier?

There have been a few reports of a black cat like animal, believed to be a panther, seen outside of the town of Angier NC. The latest sighting happened over the 4th of July when two individuals observed the animal feeding one night on a road killed deer.

We had just left a July Fourth celebration and were driving along when, all of a sudden, she asked me if I saw it,” Mr. Liles said. “She said she saw a black panther snarling and growling as we drove past.”

The couple turned the car around, turned on the high beams and sure enough, they say, the black panther was “feasting on a dead deer,” Mr. Liles said.

He said it was “a large animal with a black, silky coat – a ferocious-looking animal with brilliant lime green eyes with a noticeably long, black tail.”

Mr. Liles said the large cat was nearly 3 feet tall and would estimate the animal weighed between 60 to 100 pounds.

“I was shocked when, as we passed, I could see him snarling,” Ms. Woods said. “He showed all of his teeth. I actually looked the panther directly into his eyes.”

A large blood stain now sits along the eastbound lane of Benson Road near Ben Gardner’s home. Remnants of deer fur is all that is left.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officer for that area does not dispute the possibility that a panther is living in the area.

According to he does not discount the appearance of a panther. He said, however, he had never seen one.

“I am not disputing their account, it is just that I have never personally seen a panther in these parts,” Mr. Ellington said. “We do get one to two reports of either a mountain lion, an Eastern cougar or black panther sightings in the area, though.”

Mr. Ellington said it is possible someone had legally or illegally acquired an exotic panther, kept him in captivity and either released him to the wild or it may have escaped.

During the past four to five years, Wildlife officers have reported three panthers were found shot near a dumpster in Edenton in Chowan County. The panthers have cat tattoos in their ears, indicating they were exotic animals and had, at some point, been in captivity.

Mr. Ellington said with the Black River backing up to a swamp, conditions could be conducive for carnivores, which tend to eat beavers, otters, muskrats and mink in a desolate area.

The Daily Record

Hopefully someone with a camera will capture some images of this critter in the near future. A black animal feeding on a dead deer could also be a black bear or a coyote, both more likely to be seen then a panther or a cougar. However the witness descriptions better fit the panther and the possibility one was released or escaped is a possibility. Will continue to follow this story especially seeing where it is within fairly close proximity to my house.

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