photo courtesy of Georgia State Parks

  So you like to eat fish? Me too! Unfortunately, limiting your amount of certain fish from certain waters is becoming more and more heard of across this nation.  With warnings being printed in regulations books and hearing the tales from locals I doubt there is anyone who hasnt heard someone say “I wouldnt eat anything that comes from that water”.

   One has to wonder, just how much fish would you have to eat to get sick? Well, that all depends on  what your state has listed as safe levels of consumption.  Are warnings in a book really enough? What about signs around the lakes warning anglers of the contaminantes? Well for some in Georgia, this is the debate.

   According to a recent article I read, in the early 90’s Georgia stopped using warning signs informing people of contaminated fish in a body of water.  I did some research on the consumption guidelines for fish in Lake Hartwell and it appears the Tugaloo Arm of Hartwell has a do not eat advisory  on Hybrid and Striped Bass over 16 inches and the Main Body of Hartwell has a do not eat advisory on all Hybrid and Striped Bass. See page 10 of 32.

   I dont personally see where a few signs at the boat ramps would hurt, especially when money will continue to be spent stocking the fish that you can’t eat. Staying up to date on regulations and guidelines is something everyone should be doing in their state. Georgia provides a “Guidelines for Eating fish from Georgia Waters” booklet available online and anywhere licenses are sold. 

  See article

Rabern said one reason the state doesn’t post fish warning signs is because “signs tend to be shooting targets.”

But other bullet-hole-free signs are alongside the water, warning of overhead power lines and varying lake levels, and reminding boaters to “Wear Your Life Jacket” and “Keep Clear of Others.”

Manning said the lack of fishing advisory signs on the Georgia side is “a reasonable concern,” but people who are fishing legally can pick up the guidelines when they buy a license.

“It certainly isn’t a perfect solution,” Manning said. But there are no plans to post signs.

   Sitting around this evening after reading a post over at Moose Droppings about their rabbit hunt, it got me to checking out hunting dogs on the web.  There’s nothing like a good hunting dog, whether its a beagle singing in the briars or a pack of catahoulas bayin’ a hog. A good hunting dog is a mans pride and joy.  This spring will be a chance for many to show off their retrievers.

article

   The Four States Hunting Retriever Club is having an event  April 21-25 which could bring $1.2 million dollars to the economy. The test competition will be held on April 21, and hopefully this will become an annual event for Texarkana. If it wasnt so far away from North Carolina, this would be an event Id like to attend.

See a young dog in the making here.

photo courtesy of  EPA

    I remember it all to well, growing up as a kid wondering why some of the landowners absolutely refused to allow us to fish their farm ponds. For the life of me at the time I could’nt seem to understand how anyone could find a logical reason for refusing to let someone fish, especially a kid. Well as time went on, it didnt take me long to realize that not everyone is taught proper manners and respect for others property. Empty worm cans, soda bottles, and little brown bags that are given to you by the store were a common sight at local fishing holes.

   I started making it a habit to bring more trash out with me than what I brought in. It only takes a few extra minutes and the end results mean alot to the landowners. After seeing the littering first hand it was very clear to me why local private ponds were becoming harder and harder to gain permission to. I found an interesting article on a Lake Cleanup project and wonder what our waters would become if we didnt have folks like this willing to volunteer their time. Its one thing to have a single pond fished by few versus a huge lake used by many.  Lets not forget the money it cost each state to conduct these cleanups either, even with volunteers the financial end can be astronomical in some cases, and could be easily prevented if some folks would just put their trash where it belongs.

photo courtesy of the nczoo

 Back in 2000 50 elk were transported from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada and relocated into the Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area in Campbell County, Tenn.  2001, 2002, and 2003 each came with successful releasing of elk as well.  A recent denial from the USDA to import an additional 140 head of elk has Tennessee Wildlife Agents asking to reconsider.  (article)

  Tennessee Wildlife Agents consider Elk Island elk to be one of the healthiest, most tested herds in North America. The release of these animals is crucial to the long-term success of the Elk now calling Campbell County, Tennessee home.

Learn more about Elk Restoration Projects here.

   It seems every year across this nation we as hunters either hear of a hunter being killed in either a firearm accident or from falling from the stand.  So needless to say, I was pleased when I  read this article about Alabama hunters having no firearm or treestand fatalities this deer season according to a report released by the ADCNR .

  I like to use the Hunters Safety System as my personal choice for treestand safety. While there are many different ones out there, Ive found this one to be the easiest to put on and the most comfortable in the stand.  GOOD JOB ALABAMA HUNTERS!!!

Photo courtesy of
NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Have you ever got off work early and decided that a quick fishing trip with your kids would be nice? Sure you have, but we all know that loading the boat, gear, stopping for gas and snacks, etc. is time consuming and takes some planning in order to have enough time to actually fish. Well, for some residents near Chatuge Lake, NC thats about to change. A 56 ft. “T” shaped pier is almost completed and will allow easy public access for anglers nearby. You can read more about this project and learn if others are in the making here. (See Shooting Creek Public Fishing area Nearing Completion)

 Well the folks over at Skinny Moose have given me chance at blogging and I hope to do my best in the near future at getting this site up and moving. Ive been on the internet for years now but blogging is a new game. 

  I stumbled upon Skinny Moose  sort of by accident one day while checking out what Dan over at Moose Droppings was writing about, who, by the way Id like to thank for answering all the questions I had and getting me introduced to Steve. From there I found myself checking daily, mostly between Moose Droppings and especially enjoying what Phillip was writing about over at the The Hog Blog . I hope you all enjoy and find my blog to be an informative, quick reference point for all your outdoor and hunting news.

                                                                   -Brad-