This Sunday I spent afield with my good buddy Cal. Together we have been a great team and had several doubles between us. This Season so far, though the cards have been stacked against us.  We did see toms, and had some encounters.  Most of them were with Turkeys…

Encounter  #1

We saw toms alright.    The first was just after first light.  The tom was with 5 hens and had all the lady company he could want.  Our pleading clucks and yelps elicited a few gobbles, but his hens didn’t want to come check us out.  We watched them feed off into the trees and elected to hit another part of the ranch.

Encounter #2 (and reason to pack bear spray)

We decided to hit the ridge on the other side of the valley where a group of long yearling Holstein heifers grazed.  I have had good luck calling turkeys here last year.  As soon as we crossed the fence, we could hear a loud bellering, as a 2 year old Holstein bull came out of the herd directly at us with a swagger and belligerent attitude.  A rock off of his forehead didn’t dissuade him from  placing himself between us and his harem. 

If you think dairy bulls are playful docile creatures, read the article from the US HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION.

Knowing I was out-matched in a physical confrontation, we hopped the 5 wire barbed wire fence in a hope to do an end around on the bull.

Well that didn’t work….He followed us for a quarter mile bellering so we went on to other pastures.  It did weigh on my mind that had the bull caught us in the middle of the pasture, say before daylight, it could have been a different story. Bear Spray has been tested on dairy bulls in Southern California.

It takes the wind right out of their sails…

I am a vet who works exclusively with cattle in southern California.  We don’t see many bears here in Chino, but with over 100,000 dairy cows, we have more than our fair share of bulls.  Two weeks ago a worker on a dairy here in Chino was killed by a bull.  They are extremely dangerous and can weigh up to 2,000 lbs.  You must never let your guard down when you are near one.  Unfortunately, because of my work, I must often turn my back to them while I am in the corrals.  I have made it a practice to carry [bear spray] on my belt whenever I am in a bull string.  If I am not carrying it, I feel naked.  Whenever a bull crosses the line from threatening to dangerous I let him have it with the spray.  It takes the wind right out of their sails every time.  I have had to deal with enough aggressive bulls that I managed to use my entire bottle of spray.  After that man was killed two weeks ago, I am glad that I did.  If he had been equipped with a canister, I know he’d be alive today.

Sincerely

Dr. Andrew B.

 

Encounter #3

With the bull behind us, we spotted 3 toms strutting in an open pasture 500 yards away.  A few calls from the tree line seemed to get their attention, but they wouldn’t cross the open ground to get into range.  by that time it was late morning and we called it a day.  However we will be going out after gobblers again in the near future.. Stay tuned…

It is time to think about choices for 2009 controlled hunts. Applications for moose, mountain goat and bighorn controlled hunts are accepted April 1 through April 30. Applications for elk, deer, pronghorn and fall black bear controlled hunts are accepted from May 1 through June 5. Hunters need a 2009 Idaho hunting license to apply. The drawings for spring turkey and black bear are over.

It’s time to apply for a chance at the hunt of a lifetime.

Entries in the first Super Hunt and Super Hunt Combo drawing must be received at the Fish and Game headquarters by May 31 with the drawing set for June 15.

So what’s a Super Hunt?

It is a fund-raising drawing for 40 big game tags. The tags are handed out to winners in two drawings. Tickets are drawn for elk, deer, pronghorn and moose tags. Winners can participate in any open hunt in the state for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose. That includes general hunts and controlled hunts.

The first drawing in June will be for eight elk, eight deer, and eight pronghorn hunts as well as one moose hunt; one “Super Hunt Combo” ticket also will be drawn that will entitle the winner to hunt for one each elk, deer, pronghorn, and moose.

A second drawing will be in mid-August when another “Super Hunt Combo” and tickets for two elk, two deer, and two pronghorn hunts along with one moose hunt will be drawn. The entry period for the second drawing is June 2 through August 11.

Hunters can take an animal or animals on their Super Hunt or Super Hunt Combo tags in addition to any general season or controlled hunt tags they also hold.

All other rules of individual hunts apply.

The special drawings began in 2004 as a way to raise money for the Access Yes! program, which helps assure hunter and angler access to and across private lands by compensating willing landowners.

The first ticket costs $6; additional tickets for the same species cost $4 each when purchased at the same time. Super Hunt Combo tickets cost $20 for one; additional tickets are $16 when purchased at the same time. Tickets are available at license vendors, all Fish and Game offices, or they can be ordered on the Internet at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/superhunt/, and on the phone at 800-824-3729 or 800-554-8685.

Fill out the ticket orders and mail them to: Fish and Game License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.

Idaho Fish and Game Commission Tuesday, March 24, adopted big game seasons as recommended by Fish and Game biologists, with a few last minute changes in response to public comments.

Commissioners adopted hunting season dates on wolves statewide, pending removal of wolves in Idaho from the endangered species list, expected to take effect later this spring. The seasons would be the same as proposed last year, except seasons would be extended in the Lolo and Sawtooth zones to run from September 1 through March 31.

The seasons would run from September 15 through December 31 in the Selway and Middle Fork zones, and elsewhere from October 1 through December 31.

Commissioners would set harvest quotas in August. Meanwhile, Fish and Game will respond aggressively to chronic depredation.

Other seasons changes include capping elk tags in two elk zones; reduced general deer opportunities for white-tail deer in northern Idaho and mule deer in southern Idaho; changing general pronghorn archery season to unlimited controlled hunts; and increased opportunities for senior and disabled hunters.

State big game populations, like the nation’s economy, are going through a period of correction, some planned some not, former big game manager Brad Compton told commissioners Tuesday.

Under the seasons adopted by the commission, A and B tags in the Sawtooth Elk Management Zone and A tags in the Diamond Creek Zone will be capped. A and B tags already are capped in the Selway and Middle Fork zones, and B tags already are capped in the Dworshak, Lolo and Elk City zones.

The new caps will be phased in over three years. In the first year, A tags will be reduced by 15 percent in the Diamond Creek Zone; A tags will be reduced by 37 percent and B tags will be reduced by 27 percent in the Sawtooth Zone.

Other season changes are:

Deer, controlled hunts:

8 percent reduction in antlered hunts.

4 percent reduction in antlerless hunts.
Deer, general seasons:

26 day reduction in northern Idaho seasons.

7 day reduction in southern Idaho seasons.
Elk, controlled hunts:

2 percent increase in antlered hunts.

7 percent reduction in antlerless hunts.
Elk, general season hunts:

27 day reduction in antlerless hunts.

45 day reduction in antlered hunts.
Black bear season extended in the Clearwater Region units 14, 15 and 18.

Colorado’s spring turkey season offers hunters one of the most unique experiences in the field.

From late April through mid May, turkeys are at the height of their mating season. The hens are calling for the toms, and the toms are on the move looking for mates and putting on their displays of wild machismo.

“There is nothing else like hunting turkeys,” says Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “You call them in, the toms are making all kinds of noises spitting and drumming, and they’ll get right next to you. It’s incredibly exhilarating.”

The 2009 spring turkey season starts April 11 and continues through May 24, although dates vary in some units. Over-the-counter licenses can be purchased for most units in the state; but some areas are limited so be sure to check the 2009 turkey hunting brochure.

Turkey hunters can use shotguns and bows during the spring hunt. Shots are usually made within 30 yards of a bird. Hunters must be sure of their targets–only toms can be hunted during the spring.

Because turkeys are very wary and spook easily, hunters are allowed to dress in full camouflage. One note of caution: Because hunters wear camouflage, turkey hunting can be dangerous in popular areas. As with every other type of hunting, only shoot at what you see and clearly identify. If you shoot in the direction of a sound you might be shooting at another hunter making a call. If you need to signal to another hunter the best method is to whistle.

Turkeys roost in trees at night so the hunter’s first task is to locate the resting spot. Spezze recommends that hunters arrive near the roost just before dawn and find a place to set up without spooking the birds. Hens welcome the day with a very sleepy “tree call.” The toms will gobble in response to nearly every hen call made in the roost. After adequately announcing the day, the birds will fly down from the roost once light is full. Then they’ll begin calling to gather the flock for the day.

Seasoned spring turkey hunters will usually begin calling to the toms before any of the birds fly down in an effort to direct them away from the roosted hens.

A common mistake turkey hunters make is “over-calling,” says Spezze. Hunters should only imitate the various calls the turkeys are making at that moment.

“Nothing scares off an already-wary tom more than calls that are too loud or too frequent,” Spezze says.

As toms approach, the hunter must sit absolutely still. Any shot must be executed very quickly. Shotgun pellets won’t penetrate a turkey’s plumage, so the aim must be at the head and neck.

Two types of turkeys live in Colorado. The Merriam’s turkey lives primarily in the mountains, while the Rio Grande turkey lives on the flat lands east of I-25. Populations of both types of turkey are healthy and have been growing during the last few years.

The Merriam’s turkey is partial to open meadows and usually roosts in ponderosa pine trees. They can also be found in oak brush and pinon-juniper stands. Hunters should find areas where turkeys have cover, forage and nesting habitat. Look for meadows in narrow valleys where there are grassy areas, aspen groves and ponderosa pines. The Merriam’s, however, are wanderers and will roam over large areas.

The Rio Grande is the larger of the two birds and can usually be found in cottonwood trees and along riparian areas. The birds are creatures of habit, often roosting in the same tree and feeding in the same fields every day. Rio Grande turkeys are easier to locate than Merriam’s and hunting them is generally not as difficult.

Turkeys forage for seeds, grasses, forbs and insects. Hens usually nest in tall grass and prefer to be near a water source.

Hunters should scout areas looking for sign– tracks, feathers, droppings, scratching and dusting areas. Even if turkeys are not seen or heard, it’s a good bet to hunt in places where there are lots of fresh sign.

Turkey calls also are essential–box calls, slates and mechanical-plunger calls are easy to use.

Your calling position should have a solid back as wide as your shoulders while providing you with a wide area of visibility. Don’t hide so well that you can’t see what’s happening in front of you.

Hunters should not try to stalk turkeys in the spring because chances of success are slim. Set up in a somewhat concealed location and wait for the birds to come to you.

Hunting in the morning is typical, but toms can also be called in late in the afternoon. So don’t hesitate to hunt late in the day.

The long season also works to hunters’ advantage. Some of the best hunting occurs late in the season when hens are on the nest. If you miss opening day, you won’t be missing your chance to get a turkey.

This “right of spring” is an experience that turkey hunters look forward to every year. Successful hunters are rewarded with fine, lean meat. With careful cooking, wild turkey makes an excellent and highly nutritious meal.

Saturday morning the Birds were out and strutting their stuff. Turkey Season is just 5 days away…

The Pirate’s Cove Trail Run is the event I had as an intermediate goal in my conditioning for hunting season.   It serves as a motivator to get me running as early as January of this year. 

Read the rest of this entry »

SPOT is a satellite relayed way to transmit position and a preprogrammed message to friends and family. In the case of emergency a signal can be sent to local search and rescue to come to your aid.

With only 3 buttons you can let friends and family track your position via Google Earth. 

 You can let them know you are safe with a pre programmed e-mail or text message.   you might pre program it to say  ”Hi guys, all is well”

If you need assistance you can have a pre programmed message that states just that.   If you are on an elk hunt and Need to pack meat out your message might read “Bull down, bring pack horses.  See you at last camp…” If you are doing a point to point backpacking trip your message that you program might read  ”We reached our pickup spot.  Need a ride as soon possible” 

 In case of emergency the closest 911 search and rescue response is summoned. 

ALERT 9-1-1: Use this function In the event of a life threatening or other critical emergency to notify emergency services of your location and that you need assistance. The GEOS International Emergency Response Center alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide – for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders in Europe.

SPOT sends your GPS coordinates to a GEOS Emergency Response Center every 5 minutes, allowing you to keep moving if necessary. Emergency responders are then updated with your last known location.

Because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works virtually anywhere. All it needs is a clear view of the sky.

In each case your coordinates are sent with the message.

For a limited time SPOT is Giving a FREE Spot Unit with a subsciption for one year of basic messaging and tracking

So if you are looking for a way to let family and friends know you are safe while in the wilderness, SPOT could be your answer.

Well I have my first race for 2009 under my belt. The race was from Howarth park, up the Spring Creek trail, around Lake Ilsanjo, and down the Canyon trail where it hit the Spring Creek trail once more to return to Howarth.

The race started in a unique fashion I found particularly appropriate.  Instead of a starting gun, the race began with 2  blacktail deer antlers clashed together.  Also top 3 finishers in each age group won a photo taken of a blacktail buck 2 miles into the race course.

It was not my best race from a nerves/ digestive/ feeling strong standpoint. I finished behind the folks I usually run with on training runs. However I recovered well and I feel like I will have a good race next Saturday.

However I finished 8 minutes faster with a time of 1:37:45 (9:46.5 mile pace).  The mens winner finished in just over an hour!  However this was the “scrimmage” if you will, since I have the Pirates Cove race in 6 days (March 21).

Carrie Underwood, a pop/country singer has garnered the attention of people in agriculture and hunting and fishing because of her radical animal rights beliefs.

In an Article in Feedstuffs magazine, Phillip Lobo details how the Humane Society of the United States is an Animal Rights Organization that threatens animal agriculture.

HSUS does not operate animal shelters. The American Humane Assn. does. There is a difference. It is big.

 The current anti-agriculture activities of HSUS can be divided into six areas. The four that are currently most influential are:

• National legislative and regulatory initiatives;
• State legislative and regulatory initiatives;
• City and county legislative and regulatory initiatives, and
• Consumer outreach campaigns

Trent Loos, a fellow advocate for agriculture, brought Carrie Underwood’s ties to the radical organization to light in his article, and his blog column as well.

I would hope that by now it is not news to anybody that HSUS has a direct mission to abolish animal agriculture and end hunting in this country. As recently as last week Miyun Park, Vice President of Farm Animal Welfare, openly stated their mission: “to get rid of the industry”. The Center for Consumer Freedom reports HSUS’s true mission is to spend millions on programs that seek to economically cripple meat and dairy producers; eliminate the use of animals in biomedical research labs; phase out pet breeding, zoos, and circus animal acts; and demonize hunters as crazed lunatics.

Now the US Sportman’s Alliance has alerted me to the fact that Carrie Underwood plans to give a portion of the proceeds to this organization that is in direct opposition to those of us who take an active role in our food chain.

Sportsmen should contact Fox Broadcasting, the company that airs American Idol, immediately.

They should be told that country music star Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “Home Sweet Home” isn’t so sweet for the millions of sportsmen who will be attacked by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) after they make money off the tune.

According to Carrie Underwood’s official website, the song is going to be used each week on the hit television show when a contestant is voted off.

Unfortunately, Underwood has made clear that a portion of the proceeds from subsequent sales of that song will go to benefit the largest anti-hunting organization in the nation, HSUS. This will give HSUS even more money to direct towards hunters, anglers, and trappers nationwide.

“Carrie Underwood has decided to use her talents to benefit an organization dedicated to destroying the rights of thousands of her fans,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) senior vice president, Rick Story. “HSUS does not operate or oversee animal shelters; it is a radical organization that seeks to end hunting and other responsible uses of animals in America.”

Story said that sportsmen must send American Idol a strong message that its indirect support of HSUS, is not appreciated.

Sportsmen can make a difference. Companies such as Iams, General Mills, Accor Hotels, Pet Safe, Sears, Meijer Inc, and Ace Hardware ended relationships with HSUS after thousands of sportsmen levied strong protest.

Take Action! Sportsmen are urged to contact key personnel at American Idol’s parent company, Fox Broadcasting and demand that Underwood’s song not be given a stage to raise money for HSUS. U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.
801 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 4322929
614-888-4868
www.ussportsmen.org
info@ussportsmen.org
For more information regarding the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alert Network, call 614-888-4868, or email Greg R. Lawson, director of communications at glawson@ussportsmen.org or Sharon Hayden, assistant director of communications data at shayden@ussportsmen.org.

Mr. Peter Liguori
Fox Broadcasting Company
Chairman of Entertainment
10201 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2606

Fax: 310-369-1283
Phone: 310-369-3553
Also, e-mail the show at idol.web@fox.com.