“Survivor Camp” Lives Up To It’s Name

Local church youth group looking for a challenging activity for their youth may have gotten more than they bargained for when local, state and federal agencies were called in to rescue them. The Living Word Church youth group was on a “Survivor Camp” guided trip with God’s Country Outfitters on the Uhwarrie River when rapid rising water seperated a number of the 24 youth and 6 adults on the outing. According to the 911 call wghp-mp3-low-water-rescue-911-090618,0,1713170.mp3file 9 boys were missing for an hour and possible in the water.

Morton said authorities were called at 12:16 p.m. and told that between 22 and 30 people were in the water and in need of rescue. It was not raining at the time, and heavy rain had not been reported today in the region. But heavy rain has fallen in much of North Carolina in recent days.
Randolph County Emergency Management officials say seven people were rescued from the river on N.C. 109 at Reservation Road, several hundred yards from the bridge.
It is not clear how far the other boaters had drifted when they were rescued.
Morton said Montgomery County has set up an Emergency Operations Center near the site and asked for the N.C. Highway Patrol to provide its helicopter in the search. A pair of Army Blackhawk helicopters involved in a training exercise nearby also was called in, according to emergency radio reports.

N&O

While this could have had a very tragic ending it is good to see that everyone is accounted for and all right. I have to wonder after looking at the Church’s website and seeing the name and the description of this camp if it was somewhat prophetic.

Survivor Camp 5th – 7th grade students
In the Uhwarrie National Forest, God’s Country Outfitters are waiting to take you on a 3 day journey known as the Survivor Challenge. Combining outdoor adventures with Bible studies, the Survivor Challenge is a chance for you to open your eyes to the many ways God prepares you and partners with you. You will overcome your fears through physical challenges, build community through group activities, and grow in confidence to do God’s work.

The Living Word Church

I hope they overcame their fears but I suspect this outing could lead to some PTSD but let’s hope not.

Tick Season Will Be On Us Soon

Rick over at Whitetail Woods gave us a great reminder to get ready for tick season with some great tips. As the weather warms the ticks will be out and a little bug like that can cause major illness and suffering if you’re not careful. Rick shows the product he uses I use a similar product from Repel.

Permanone® Clothing and Gear Insect Repellent
An item for every campers packing list.
This odorless insecticide is designed to protected clothing, shoes, tents and other gear from ticks and mosquitoes. Spray any item, let dry and Permanone will provide up to two weeks of protection. Permanone will bind to the fabric being treated, and actually kills insects that come in contact with it. Enjoy a bug free camping trip.

Repel

I’ll spray all my turkey hunting gear down with this a day or so before I plan to go out. It lasts for two weeks even if you wash it. I use to pull a lot of ticks off me every year until I started using this stuff. I think last turkey season I only found two ticks on me.

Summer Camp Plans? How About an Opportunity To Send A Kid For Free?

The snow the beginning of the week and 70’s and sun to end the week has gotten me thinking about summer. As a kid I loved to spend a week or two at camp shooting guns, archery, swimming and hanging out with my friends. Well now I go to hunt camp but for the kids I’m sure that summer camp is something many look forward to.
The 27 annual Fur Fish n Game Rendezvous, a weeklong camp, will take place this summer.

What is the Rendezvous?
Entering it’s 27th year, the Rendezvous is an opportunity for youth to earn their hunter safety certification, study natural resources, create an ourdoor ethic, and learn outdoor recreation skills.
The week-long residential camp is for boys and girls ages 12-15, and held at Millstone 4-H Center, in the beautiful sandhills gamelands. Campers learn firearm safety and shooting skills from hunter education officers. Other activities include: falconry, bird dogs, trapping, wildlife identification, taxidermy, first aid, canoeing, fishing, a low-ropes course, swimming, and much more! Those that have already attended the beginning Rendezvous, or already have their hunter safety certification, can apply for the the Adavanced Rendezvous. During the Adavanced track, campers will learn more about being a wildlife and fisheries biologist. Advanced activites include trapping, wildlife surveys, wildgame cooking, and fish surveys. For more information, please call Renee Strnad, NC Cooperative Extension, at 919-515-5518. Questions regarding registration and fees may be directed to the State 4-H Camping Office, at 919-515-8471.

Ok I’ll admit if I was a few years younger I’d want to go to this camp. It sounds like a great week filled with a lot of opportunities to learn more about the natural world around us. Now a program like this is not cheap and the cost of the camp is $325. With the economy the way it is right now I’m sure for many families that this is something they can’t afford. Well hang on I’ve discovered an organization that is giving out 36 full scholarships to this year’s camp.
The Wake County Wildlife Club will be using some of the money they raise at the Dixie Deer Classic to offer these scholarships.

The Wake County Wildlife Club uses the money it raises from the Dixie Deer Classic to support the resources and for education. One of our projects is to send 36 campers to the annual Fur, Fish, and Game Rendezvous in Ellerbe. Kids 12-15 years old are eligible. They will take the NC Hunter Safety Course and be exposed to a number of hunting and outdoor related activities. If you have or know of a boy or girl who would like to attend this camp please go by the Wake Co. Wildlife Club Hunter Safety Booth at the Dixie Deer Classic and get them registered. This camp would cost you $325.00 if you sending them yourself. It’s a great experience for the kids.

Now when I heard about this I had to do a little bit of checking because it seemed to be too good to be true but it is on the up and up. I was totally unaware that parts of the money raised during the Dixie Deer Classic went to such a worthwhile cause. Additionally I asked about how the scholarships were awarded;

we pay for all 36 slots , whether we fill them or not. We fill them first come first serve. Some years we only have a few names submitted by members or registered at the DDC in which case the FF&G folks ( 4H extension, etc.) fill those spaces.

Well the Dixie Deer Classic is this weekend so stop by their booth to get your youngster signed up. I’m sure if these slots get filled and there is still space at the camp and someone wants to go there are other civic organizations and sportsmen groups that will step up to help. For the rest of us who wondered what our entrance fee to the classic got used for now we know. A tip of the hat to the Wake County Wildlife Club.

A Decision On The Outer Banks Access

A short Video to give you an idea of what is at stake.

This is a follow up to an earlier story I did about the court case that could potentially end the long standing practice of driving on the beach to access the area for recreational activities, the decision is in.
A decision that certainly seems to favor the special interests groups and seems to push sportsmen out. The beach access is supposed to be preserved for human recreational access and not to preserve habitat and species. Now I don’t think there is many sportsmen that would oppose sensible restrictions but to set up a distance equivalent to 11 football fields around a shore birds nest to me seems to excessive. At least my quick reading on the subject seems to suggest that is the distance that will be required.

It is also very concerning to me that little if any public input was sought and basically the special interest groups seemed to have the most voice. If I understand it right these are temporary rules while the National Park Service draws up the official rules. I have little faith in the National Park Service because access does not seem to be a high priority for them nor the desires of sportsmen.

Some Important Links to Check out; Tommy over at Carolina Region has an updated story and he has much more information and details about this story. So please check out his blog. The second link you should check out is SAVE HATTERAS & OCRACOKE ISLAND. Even if your not one who normally access the outerbanks please speak out and support your fellow sportsmen and an entire regions way of life.

Judge to Decide Whether Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area will Remain a Recreational Area

A story that I’ll admit I have been neglectful in covering pits sportsmen against environmentalist on the use of Off Road Vehicles. Historically people have driven on the outer banks to access areas for fishing and recreational uses and in fact that is what the land was set aside for. In more recent years environmental groups under the guise of wanting to help or protect shore birds have filed lawsuits to stop the practice of operating ORV on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Latter today in Raleigh a Judge is expected to weigh in on this issue so we’ll have to see which side wins out. For a more in depth story about this I invite you to check out Tommy’s blog entry on Carolina Region.

Family Files Law Suit In Utah Fatal Bear Attack

Steve Fidel, Deseret Morning News Jake Francom shows a pillow that was dragged away from his tent by a black bear early Saturday, a day before Sunday night’s fatal mauling in the same primitive area. Dark marks on the pillow are the bear’s paw prints.

This past summer in Utah a family camping trip turned into a tragedy when 11 year old Sam Ives was dragged from a tent and killed by a black bear. When one enters the wilderness where does personal responsibility begin and government involvement end? Camping in bear country certainly involves some risk but at the same time does government agencies have a responsibility to close an area if there is problematic bear activity? It is important to point out, that as I reported this summer, only hours before at the same campsite there was human bear encounter when a bear attempted to drag a man from a tent.

Government officials responded with tracking dogs but because of poor conditions the search was unproductive and called off. Should have the primitive campsite been closed by officials? I don’t know for sure but I tend to lean towards not.

Why weren’t they warned?
“We would have known something was up if there was just yellow tape up there, and I would still have my son,” a tearful Ives said at attorney Allen K. Young’s Provo office.
Their suits are seeking $2 million from the U.S. Forest Service and $550,000 from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), which is protected by a state-mandated damages cap.

SLTrib

I traveled through that part of the country only weeks before these tragic events and there is ample opportunity for encounters with nature to go really bad. I think people entering the wilderness have a responsibility to prepare for these potential dangerous situations. If we expect government to post about dangers we might face the wilderness may become one large bulletin board. I’m glad I don’t have to decide and we’ll see what the courts say if this case goes forward.

Need Something To Do This Weekend? Check Out Some Shows

Two shows are taking place this weekend that maybe of interest to outdoor enthusiasts; RV Camping Show in Raleigh and a Deer Expo Show in Asheville. Normally this time of year the weather is not as nice as it has been so people are more apt to get some cabin fever and look for an excuse to get out. The weather is supposed to be a little bit cooler but still nice but on the off chance you need something to do check one of these shows out.

Deer Camp A Bit Of A Milestone

The opening of Muzzleloader season is Saturday so I’m running around getting my stuff together. This will be my tenth season of hunting with “The Professional Liar’s Club” a club name hung on us by a outdoor writer who did a story on us a number of years ago. I guess that name is as fitting as any other name you could pin on this group of guys. The club itself has been together for a number of years probably getting close to 20 years and although it’s small group it feels like family.

The eve before the opening of muzzleloader you’ll find that most of us are in camp in anticipation of the opening morning hunt. This year like most we’ll have a fish fry on that evening and the swapping of the stories will begin. The story part is where we got our name because there are some good ones. Like the time we had a deputy sheriff hunting as a guest and he shot at a deer and couldn’t find it. He had a good blood trail he was following and it wasn’t till other guys from the club joined him in the search that he realized that he was tracking himself. It seems he got a bit to close to the scope and got bit the blood was dripping off his nose on to the leaves. He had missed the deer completely but did have a pretty good blood trail.

Then there was the year Rick and I created massive rubs and scrapes all around the club president’s deer stand. He’d get down from his stand after the morning hunt and by the time he returned for the afternoon hunt there was often more sign for him to find. One of the rules of the club is that any stand on the lease is open to the members of the club but the owner of the stand gets first option to hunt. Rick and I kept him in that same stand all season long because he didn’t dare let us get in there and kill the massive buck that was in there.

With close to 20 years of hunting together there is no shortage of stories for these guys and although I’m still one of the newer members it’s a great place to hunt. We may not kill any Boone & Crockets but we have a great time together. I’m sure we are about to create another chapter in “The Professional Liar’s Club”.

Update on Troop 217

About 14 hours after the searches started in the heavily wooded Pisgah National Forest one of the leaders walked out and met up with a utility meter reader that drove him back to the command post. Searchers were then able to go into the woods and quickly locate the rest of the group. Everyone was safe and in good spirits so the ending of this story was a happy one.
The happy ending wasn’t by luck but by the preplanning prior to the trip as well as making the right decisions when faced with a problem. First off they had appropriate equipment and supplies with them. They had left detail plans and maps of where they would be hiking and the expected time they would be back. Those who had those plans sounded the alarm when they did not return as scheduled. When the scout troop lost the trail they were hiking and got into an unknown area with nightfall coming on they didn’t panic they made the right choice to make camp and wait till daylight to figure out how to get out. They had cell phones but I can attest to the fact that many of those areas are dead zones for cells and they were unable to call. Once daylight came one of the leaders found a powerline and he hiked to it and then followed it out running into a meter reader that gave him the ride to the command post.

These are all important factors in the happy ending we should all remember them when we take outings.

WRAL Video Link to Press Conference

Found!!! Troop 217 Everyone is Fine

Boy Scout troop 217 from Raleigh NC that failed to return after a weekend of hiking and camping in the Pisgah National Forest has been located and are safe. Initial reports are that Troop Leaders decided to make camp after losing the trail they were hiking and nightfall was fast approaching. I’ll add additional updates as warranted. We’re just glad everyone is safe and accounted for.

Missing Boy Scouts In NC Mountains

Troop 217 from Raleigh NC is over due from a camping trip in Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County. They were due back yesterday and when they failed to show up in Raleigh concerned parents notified authorities. Haywood County Search and Rescue Teams have been combing the area since 9pm last evening. Additional teams plan to join the search this morning. Troop 217 has 8 boys ranging in age from 12 to 18 as well as 3 leaders. The hope is the distance of the hike was to long forcing them to spend and unplanned evening in the woods and that they’ll walk out this morning. The weather in the area has been good they have proper equipment they just maybe running short on food because they packed for a two day trip. We’ll keep following this story today as it unfolds.

Utah Fatal Bear Attack Update

This is an update on a story I posted earlier this morning.

According to Salt Lake Tribune Utah trackers have caught up with the suspected bear in the fatal attack last night of an 11 year old boy camping with his family.

AMERICAN FORK CANYON – A suspected killer bear has been shot today, and rifle-toting wildlife officers and a pack of specially trained hounds are following the beast’s blood trail.
The black bear is believed to have ripped open a tent and carried off an 11-year-old boy in his sleeping bag at a campsite late last night in the Timpooneeke trail area of American Fork Canyon. About 7 a.m., a volunteer hunter with the search team shot what was believed to be the renegade bear in a tree; the animal ran off, leaving a blood trail behind near the northeast tip of Mount Timpanogos.

This paper is also reporting that there was an incident the night before where a bear took a swipe at a camper in a tent in the early hours of Sunday morning. Authorities dispatched to the area could not locate the bear. The camper did not suffer any injuries in that attack.

Updates as they become available

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