Moose Droppings

An eight year old boy and his father were mauled in what is being reported as an unprovoked attack by a small juvenile boar bear near a popular hiking trail.

Evan Pala was cut, scratched and bitten. His father, John Pala of Boca Raton, also was cut before driving off the bear with rocks and sticks. They were both treated and released from a nearby hospital a few hours after the attack late Monday.
The boy was playing in a creek near a popular trail “and the bear just came and pounced on him for no apparent reason,” park spokeswoman Nancy Gray said.

The Rainbow Falls trail is a popular hiking trail where this attack took place and no shortage of people this time of year. While bear experts or rangers will tell you bear attacks are rare they seem to be happening more frequently.

“This is so rare,” said Lynn Rogers, director of the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minn. “I don’t know if you would call a bear like that a demented bear, like some people, or a super bear that decides, ’Hey, I can take a person.”’
Gray said roaming bears have been active this year, with several wandering into urban areas. Yet there have been fewer cases of “problem” or “nuisance” bears requiring capture and relocation.

MSNBC

This seems like a pretty bold attack by a predator but not outside what would be considered typical behavior. There have been other attacks including 2 fatal encounters since 2000. Telling people these are rare no longer seems like a reasonable explanation. Bear populations need to be kept in check what better way to instill fear of humans then to allow hunting? Bears need to see man as something to fear rather then one of its major food groups.

Story & Photo by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

Photo Taken by Moose in June at edge of fire lines

The fire that started on June 1st after a lightening strike inside the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge consuming 62 square miles but now it is 90% contained. Many of those who fought the fire have returned to their homes and the remaining hotspots are well contained inside the fire and will likely burn out on their own or be extinguished by future rains. This is great news given the prognosis early on that tropical storms or a hurricane would be needed to knock this fire out. A tip of the hat and a big thank you to all the firefighters from across the country that came in to lend a hand. Much of the damage was contained to raw land, no lives were lost and only a few minor injuries were reported.

Story & Photo by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

In my earlier posts I talked about the calving season in Cataloochee as well as the impact of Chronic Wasting Disease on the small herd. This week I want to talk about a group of dedicated volunteers who make a difference.

A small group of volunteers assist Park Rangers in the Cataloochee Valley in managing the visitors to the small valley. The 100 + elk that now reside in this area are certainly a draw pulling in lots of visitors that will brave the mountainous road that leads into the valley.
Like a few other national parks The Great Smokey National Park depends on the volunteers to educate the visitors on elk as well as how to safely observe them, as well as assist with the management of the crowds the elk can tend to draw.

Since 2001, when the Park began an experimental re-introduction program to restore the long-absent elk, visitation to the Cataloochee area of the Park has nearly doubled. This visitation increase was driven entirely by the popularity of seeing elk. With it came a need to manage the high visitation in this remote mountain valley on the eastern edge of the Park, which is surrounded by picturesque natural beauty and holds remnants of an early European settlement.

NPS

The Bugle Corp program was started in 2007 my first encounter with them was this July when I visited. They were set up on the side of the road with their earth friendly electric truck with a mini exhibit about elk. They had a set of antlers from one of the bulls ( elk bulls shed their antlers each winter growing a new set back in the spring and summer) some samples of deer hide and elk hide, some of the collars the biologists put on the elk to study them, as well as a lot of other things. The volunteers did a good job of engaging both young and old in talking about the elk and educating them on the history of the elk as well as the behavior of the elk.

Latter in the evening I was glad to see the volunteers working to keep traffic moving so people could get through as well as reminding people to keep their distance from the elk.

“The Park’s goal is to recruit and train a new cadre of volunteers who can commit to volunteering on a regular, recurring basis,” said Babette Collavo, Volunteer in Parks Coordinator.
Each volunteer is being asked to work at least two evenings per month for approximately 3 hours prior to sunset, during the period May 23-November 2. This target period is during high visitor use from late spring during the calving season through the end of fall color season after the elk mating period.

If I lived a bit closer I’d certainly consider being a volunteer but maybe you would like to help out.

Interested persons should contact the Park’s Volunteer Coordinator Babette Collavo, at 865/436-1265

Story by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

I got side track this week but wanted to get back to the story about the experiment to reintroduce elk to the mountains of North Carolina. As I reported in the earlier story this is the eighth and likely final year in the experimental reintroduction. At the end of this study a decision will be made whether to continue with reintroducing the elk or to abandon the project. My hope is they’ll continue it.

Early on the plan was to bring additional elk in for a number of years to assist the herd in growing in the area however Chronic Wasting Disease brought these plans to a halt.

CWD has been around for a good number of years being discovered in Colorado in mule deer. At first it was thought that it might be limited to that particular specie but it has sense spread to whitetail deer, elk, and moose. There is no evidence that this disease can be transferred to humans. In 2001 when the elk experiment was in its infancy much of the outdoor world was in the frenzy of following the discovery of CWD in parts of Canada and the United States. 2001-2002 was when it was discovered in Wisconsin and a panic was set off with portions of the state under orders to completely eradicate the deer herd to stop CWD. Many dire warnings at that time were being made about CWD and false rumors of its transmission into humans was made. While this is a serious disease and we need to do all we can to prevent its spread the early dire predictions have just not proven to be true.

In response to CWD most states have outright banned the transportation of live deer, elk & moose and have specific regulations on the transporting of dead animals especially from states with outbreaks of CWD. For the most part you can’t transport spine or brain from these animals because of the concentration of CWD in those tissues and fluids. Hunters who wear gloves and debone the meat without cutting into the bones will have safe meat to eat. Additional and more detailed information for hunters is available.

Transportation bans have prevented additional elk being brought in even though there are herds that are disease free. CWD was though to be only west of the Mississippi River until New York discovered a deer with it in 2005. Since then West Virginia has discovered CWD as well.

At this time CWD is not known to be present in North Carolina samples of deer are tested every year. Additionally as part of the Elk Experiment all elk that die are given an autopsy at the University of Tennessee to determine the cause of death as well as the overall health of the animal prior to its death.

Despite the lack of brining in the number of elk they wanted to it would appear the herd is growing slowly and steadily. There was 51 elk stocked in and now the herd is over a hundred even with the deaths of some of the original 51 and some of the elk born in North Carolina. I hope the population continues to grow there is something special about traveling into the valley and seeing these majestic creatures. To improve the experience of the visitors as well as to help educate people there is a special group of volunteers in the valley. Next up I’ll tell you who these folks are and what exactly they do.

Story & Photos by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

Right now in the Cataloochee Valley of The Great Smokey National Park it is calving season for the experimental elk herd. I traveled into this remote valley this weekend to see this small herd and to experience a part of nature that you can only find here.
We are in the 8th year of the experiment to reintroduce elk back into North Carolina. The project had a bumpy road over the years but it would appear that the project has turned a corner with over 100 elk now roaming the mountains of North Carolina.

In the initial years the survival rate of the new born calves was low mostly because of the bears finding and eating the calves. Since then the park staff have begun capturing the bears in the area and moving them to another part of the park during the prime calving season. The bears will return to the Cataloochee Valley in about 2 weeks but hopefully the time has given the calves a chance to get adjusted to the world they live in. The cows have also learned to not hide the calves out in the open meadows where the bears are searching for berries this time of the year.

This has the potential to be a big year in the population cycle of the herd with already 16 elk born this season and more cows waiting to deliver. Biologists carefully track the cows through the telemetry collars they wear and once they give birth they find the new born calf and collar it so they can track it.

The bit of bad news so far into this year is that the ratio of males to females in the calves is predominately more males then females with only 6 females so far this year. Hopefully this number will balance out with additional births the next few weeks. If this herd is to succeed it will have to grow from the population that is already there because of Chronic Wasting Disease. In the next part we’ll look at CWD and its impact on this experiment.

Photos & Story by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

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New born elk calf with mother

I shot about 1500 photographs this holiday weekend and a few came out. Here is a sampling I’ll post more and some stories from my weekend in the very near future. For now enjoy the photos and I’m off to bed.

Photo & Story by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

Photo by Moose (zoom lens from inside a vehicle)

A 12 year old Pennsylvania boy was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after sustaining injuries from an encounter with a bull bison in Yellowstone National Park. Witness report that the boy and his family were posing for photographs within 2 feet of the mature bull despite the well publicized rules and bystanders warning that they were way to close. 2 freaking feet!!! The park rules are 25 yards. The bull reportedly tossed the boy approximately 10 feet in the air. The injuries appeared to be the result of the fall mostly abrasions and small cuts but he was also complaining of abdominal pain and why he was airlifted out. Authorities have not released the name of the boy or his family or any additional information of where they live other then to say they are from Pennsylvania.

I’ve seen people ignore these rules a number of times in National Parks across the country. Its one thing when it’s adults that are acting irresponsibility but another thing when they put children in harms way. In my experience to many people assume that animals like moose, deer, elk, and bison are tame or docile which they can appear to be but they are wild animals.

Story & photo by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

Answer to the Flag Day photo question I asked was Fort McHenery the location that inspired Francis Scott Key to write what is now our National Anthem “The Star Spangled Banner”.

Story & Photos by Dan McLaughlin

Probably one of our most forgotten national holidays over the past few years. The American Flag has had the same basic design with minor alterations over the history of the flag. Here is a photo of one of the earlier styles it has 15 stars and 15 stripes. Anyone have any idea where this photo was taken? A couple of clues this flag flies every day at this location. This is also the first place that our current flag 13 stripes and 50 stars was ever flown. Feel free to use the comment section to post your guess. For more info on the history of our flag visit US Flag org I’ll post the answer latter this weekend.

I was in the mountains this past weekend and witnessed a wide array of weather and the power of Mother Nature. Storm cells rolled through much of the state brining severe thunderstorms, hail ( some the size of baseballs), high winds and tornadoes. North Carolina was not hit as bad as some of the other states across the Midwest and the Southeast where deaths and injuries and major property destruction were reported.

Monday morning on the back end of this front the temperatures dropped, in some of the higher elevations snow squalls were reported overnight, where we were in Boone NC we witnessed many trees and branches down along with traffic signs bent over by the strong wind. Wind gusts were being reported in excesses of 60 mph in Boone yesterday morning.

We had planned to do go up on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain so I could do some photography work. The Blue Ridge Parkway was littered with limbs and shredded leaves not unlike what an area looks like after a hurricane rolls through. The wind was pretty strong and at times I had difficulty just standing up when some of the stronger gusts hit.

We stopped at one of the visitor centers on the parkway and the outside thermometer read 30’ a bit cool even for the mountains this time of the year. I’m sure the wind chill made it felt closer to 0’F.

We arrived at Grandfather Mountain to discover it was closed but hopefully parts of it would be opening latter in the day. Talking with Grandfather Mountain staff the conditions on the summit was bad with 100 mph wind and numerous trees down all over the mountain blocking roads, buildings and trails. With only the morning free we returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway and continued our exploring there. We did find some turkeys working a field that was blocked from the winds.

Once back in Boone we had a lunch meeting to attend and as we sat there I couldn’t help but notice as the clouds broke up and the sun beamed down how beautiful a day it was turning out to be. We had to return to Raleigh so I ride back was much like Saturdays ride with lots of sunshine. Hopefully I’ll get up on Grandfather Mountain one of these days when it’s not so crowded like it is in the height of the tourist season.

Story & Photos by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose

One of the most scenic rides in the country is the Blue Ridge Parkway through the mountains of North Carolina from Georgia to Virginia. No matter what the season the views are breathtaking all along the Parkway.
A new center has opened in the Asheville area of the Parkway called the Destination Center. One of the purposes of the new center is to link travelers with additional activities in the area so they increase the time they spend in the area.

The center is beautiful and environmentally friendly with many green features. This past weekend when I was visiting they had a Scottish Dance group performing in the auditorium.

There is some wonderful informative displays about the nature in the area A very good display that explains the Chestnut Blight and the devastation of that disease on a very important mast crop for much of the Appalachian Mountain Range. There have been some blight resistant chestnut trees discovered across the range including the Blue Ridge Parkway that are currently being studied with the hope to one day restore this important tree.

Over the past few years like many of the National Park managed properties the Blue Ridge is in need of much of funding for upkeep and maintenance. Groups like the “Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway” are working to preserve the park through volunteer projects and fund raising.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of my favorite places to visit and I’m sure the winding mountain road with the beautiful vistas it can be one of yours as well.

Story & Photos by Dan McLaughlin (AKA Moose)

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.