By Chad Love

The federal prosecution of an Idaho man who claims he was acting to protect his family when he shot a protected grizzly bear is setting off a heated debate.

From this story on reuters.com:

An Idaho man accused by the U.S. government of illegally shooting and killing a federally protected grizzly bear "acted in good faith to protect his family," a member of his legal team said on Monday. Jeremy Hill, 33, of Bonner's Ferry, is charged with violating the U.S. Endangered Species Act by killing a grizzly May 8 on his property, which straddles a corridor connecting two declining bear populations on Idaho's border with Canada.

By Chad Love

Authorities are once again warning American anglers to stay on the US side of Falcon after a Texas man and his grandson reportedly were fired upon by members of the Mexican military while fishing the Mexican side of the sprawling border lake.

From this story on ksat.com:
An investigation has been launched by the Zapata County Sheriff's Office after an American claimed he and his grandson came under fire on Falcon Lake while they were fishing. The fisherman told authorities a group of men in green fatigues opened fire on them earlier this month. Sheriff's officials said no one was injured, but they believe the shooting was not cartel related and shots may have been fired by members of the Mexican military. Falcon Lake is a 60-mile-long reservoir on the Rio Grande, shared by the U.S. and Mexico. Officials added this latest incident happened on the Mexican side of the lake after the fisherman apparently crossed the international boundary.

By Chad Love

Thursday is the traditional kick-off to many fall hunting seasons, from dove to grouse to...pork choppers? Yes, pork choppers. And according to this story, hunters from across the nation are lining up to be a part of Texas' first helicopter-based hog season.

From this story in the Forth Worth Star-Telegram:
"Pork choppers," Texas' newest weapon in the war on feral hogs, will take to the skies Thursday when it becomes legal for hunters to buy seats on hog-hunting helicopters and gun down as many pigs as they can put in their sights. With more than 2 million feral hogs rooting around the Lone Star State, there will be plenty of targets for aerial gunners willing to pay $475 for an hour of heli-hunting. Vertex Helicopters is already bringing home the bacon as a result of the measure passed by the Texas Legislature this year. The Houston-based firm requires shooters to take a $350 hunting safety course before they can book a hunt, said President Mike Morgan, a former Army helicopter pilot.

By Chad Love

Huge stripers are in the news again...just a short while after a Connecticut angler boated the pending all-tackle world-record striped bass a first-time Missouri angler has bested the Missouri state record with a massive 60 lb. fish

From this story from the Missouri Department of Conservation:
“You’re not going to believe this until you try it.” According to Bruce Cunningham, that is what his brothers said when trying to persuade him to go fishing with them in June. Brad and Brock Cunningham had discovered the excitement of catching striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake, and they wanted to share it with their older brother.