I was sent this link by a fellow blogger over at Desert Rat asking if we could help get the word out about this place called Camp Patriot who help see to it that our veterans are able to enjoy the great outdoors at no cost to them. I must say after reading their website I am truly amazed at the efforts of Camp Patriot and I think that anyone out there willing to take the time and read their mission will agree.

I can’t imagine not being able to enjoy the great outdoors due to an injury I received protecting our nation. I have no first hand knowledge of this place but, I don’t know of many places willing to make the sacrifices it takes to make something of this caliber come together. So if you guys/gals get the chance, check out Camp Patriot I think you’ll agree.

Generally, I wouldn’t give these types of people a second thought, but after seeing this video over at a local hunting forum I visit I thought it would be a good idea to show others across the country what types of “groups” we as hunters are faced with. I’m all for figuring out a way to reduce habitat destruction across this nation but please, let’s be reasonable in our attempts to convince others. I’m also in support for many different reasons than these people. These people are absolutely……..well……..nevermind I’ll let you decide. Oh, I almost forgot, be sure to feed the rocks on your way out to work.

A couple of months ago I did a post titled The things people use shed antlers for and the post was basically about an antique chair that was posted over at The Shed Antler which really amazed me how people come up with different ideas when it comes to using shed antlers. Up until now, the antique chair was probably my most favorite piece, that was until I saw a Christmas Tree posted over at Mike Hanbacks Big Buck Zone. This tree is a true work of art, not to mention the time it took to collect all those sheds. Amazing.

Tomorrow morning will be one of two final mornings North Carolina hunters have left for this deer season. Most of the south has seen a much needed rainfall the past 12 hours or so, which if hunters play their cards right, could make for an interesting morning.

One of my favorite ways to hunt late season whitetails is a slow “spot and stalk” through the properties I hunt. The wet ground can turn a hunter almost invisible if they keep the wind in their face. Late season whitetails are usually pretty much nocturnal by this time of year and getting a shot on one can seem almost impossible at times. With only two days left in the North Carolina season we as hunters have to change tactics in order to fill those final tags. A spot and stalk type of a hunt works wonders in the final days especially when we’ve had some rain to help quite our footsteps.

Alot of hunters get together in the final days to do man drives. Mandriving can be very successful when enough hunters are present to cut the deer off. Mandrives are usually conducted on smaller blocks of woods which standers are lined on one side of the block while the drivers essentially try and “push” the deer to the standers for a shot. Hunter orange is a MUST (the more the better in my opinion) and proper communication and understanding amongst drivers and standers should never be overlooked. If done properly and thought out correctly, mandrives have and will continue to produce late season deer here in North Carolina as well as other parts of the country. For those that are not in a club or are not able to get with a group who plans on doing mandrives these final days of our hunting season, try easing your way through the woods at daybreak using a nice slow approach, keeping your eyes ahead, and be ready for the unexpected. This rain could be used to your advantage. Good luck in the final days everyone, and remember, be safe!!

  For those out there that do not have feral hogs to deal with in their area, it’s hard to grasp the horror stories that some tell when talking about the destruction these animals have on an area. Parts of Texas have resorted to using helicopters to help aid them in controlling the hog population. Currently the only means of removal are hunting, trapping, and now the use of helicopters.  The fly-overs in Texas are soon to be winding down, scheduled to end December 31st. According to the report, no decision has been made as of yet whether to try and raise funds locally for another fly over.

One problem pointed out in the article is that if  the hogs happen to be on property that they do not have permission to shoot on, they have to let them walk. One would think that with the money this program must cost and the money lost due to feral hog destruction, all landowners would grant permission for the “helicopter hunters” to fire upon any feral hog spotted in the vicinity of the fly over.

The feral hog issue across the U.S. will only be getting worse as people trap and relocate these animals to areas which currently have no hogs. This combined with at least two litters a year and before you know it, everyone has a hog problem. Feral hog hunting has become a year round event for some hunters across the nation and often times trapped swine are sold to individuals who have no other intentions other than to unload them onto another piece of property in hopes of starting a local population. BAD IDEA.

You can read more about the fly over program here.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will hold eight public meetings across the state in January to provide the public an opportunity to comment specifically on the current dove season structure as it relates to late-season opportunity and opening day shooting hours. Any changes in hunting regulations will be considered by the DNR Board of Natural Resources for approval in May 2008. Those interested are encouraged to bring these meetings to the attention of others that also may be interested in participating.All of the meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and will take place on the following dates a
nd at the following locations:January 7, 2008: University of West Georgia, Food Services Building, Carrollton

January 7, 2008: Jefferson Civic Center 65 Kissam Street, Jefferson

January 7, 2008: Altamaha Technical College 1777 W. Cherry Street, Jesup

January 8, 2008 State Farmer’s Market16 Forest ParkwayForest Park

January 8, 2008: Earl M. Varner 4-H Center, 220 South Circle Drive, Swainsboro

January 9, 2008: Wilkes County Superior Courtroom, 23 East Court Street, Washington

January 9, 2008: Roquemore Conference Center, Georgia National Fairgrounds, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

January 10, 2008: Leesburg Public Library, 245 Walnut Avenue, Leesburg

Any participant at a meeting may present data, make a statement or comment, or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants must register on arrival and notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement. Those unable to attend a meeting may submit written statements (deadline Jan. 18, 2008). Such statements should be mailed to:Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources Division

Game Management Section

Attn: John Bowers

2070 U.S. Highway 278, SE

Social Circle, Georgia 30025

These meeting sites are accessible to people with physical disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Brandon Anderson at the WRD Headquarters Game Management Office at (770) 761-3044 no later than Jan. 4, 2008.

Classified as migratory birds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), doves are regulated under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under this authority, states must adhere to the USFWS framework, which provides for an opening date no earlier than Sept. 1, a closing date no later than Jan. 15, no more than three seasons and a total of no more than 70 days. Georgia’s current season conforms to this framework. However, considering the recent feedback regarding the desire for more late-season hunting opportunity (i.e. additional days in January), WRD is assessing the possibility of adjusting the current season structure to accommodate the public input.

For more information on the scheduled public meetings, visit the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or contact the WRD Hunter Services Office at (770) 761-3044.

LINK

If there is one thing in this world that I absolutely despise, it’s a poacher. I’ve done a few post in the past explaining my feelings on poachers. After sitting here this evening reading this article I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear thinking how Texas Wardens had been able to bag a few poachers and hopefully teach them a lesson. One particular comment made by Pete Flores of The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. really made me happy to read.

I would add that this illegal activity is not hunting, and it is not representative of youth hunters in our state.”

For once a point was made in an article concerning the difference between poaching and hunting. There is a BIG difference in the two and Pete making this point was worth it’s weight in gold in my opinion. The rest of the article can be read here . Congratulations to the team of Texas Wardens who did an excellent job nabbing these poachers.

It’s always nice to hear about more land being saved by states rather than watching it be destroyed forever by development. That’s exactly what would have happened to this tract of land as well.

An important addition of 361 acres has been added to the Jocassee Gorges complex in northern Pickens County. The Smoak/Cathcart Addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve is on the North Carolina state line and protects the northern boundary of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges.The 361 acres is an addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve within Jocassee Gorges. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) purchased the land from Chinquapin Hollow Inc. for $2,404,260 with funds from the Heritage Land Trust Fund. This was below the appraised value of $2,530,000. The owners of the property were Lois Cathcart of Chapin and Copley Smoak of Arkansas, formerly of South Carolina.

“I want to congratulate the DNR for its effort to acquire this property,” said state Sen. Larry Martin of Pickens. “This addition to the Jocassee Gorges will allow protection of the northern boundary of Jocassee and provide the people of South Carolina more beautiful areas to enjoy.”

The 361-acre addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve, which features mature forests of oak, hickory, hemlock, white pine and yellow poplar, as well as the headwaters of Rock Creek, is land that was prime for development, according to DNR.

“If we had not gotten this land, there would have been large houses overlooking the upper portion of the Jocassee Gorges tract,” said Mark Hall, DNR Jocassee Gorges project manager. The land, known as Chinquapin Hollow, adjoins the north side of Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve in the heart of the Jocassee Gorges.

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