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Coast Guard Rescues Three Stranded Alaskan Hunters

Sarah Smith — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:11:27 -0500

--Sarah Smith Barnum

It was a close call for three Alaskan hunters who were stranded after their skiff drifted away leaving them 20 miles from Sitka. When the men didn’t show up for work Wednesday, the Coast Guard Sector Juneau was called in to conduct a search. Luckily for the hunters, it was only an hour wait in a cabin near Sevenfathom Bay—it could have been much worse.

From this story on Juneauempire.com:

Three stranded hunters were rescued 20 miles from Sitka after their skiff broke free of its mooring and drifted away, according to authorities. The Coast Guard stated in a release that an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka found the missing hunters stranded at a cabin near Sevenfathom Bay at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. All three men appeared to be in good condition.

Baby Seal Found Sleeping on New Zealand Woman's Couch

Sarah Smith — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:14:44 -0500

--Sarah Smith Barnum

Not many people come home at night and ask themselves, “Is that a baby seal snoozing on my couch?” Actually, nobody does that, until now.

Annette Swoffer of New Zealand found this adorable baby seal curled up, asleep. Luckily for Annette, there were no bears and none of her porridge was missing...

From this story on the Huffington Post:

New Zealander Annette Swoffer got the surprise of her life when she found a baby seal in her kitchen, who later began to snooze on her couch, the New Zealand Herald reports.

According to the report, the seal wandered from the bay waterfront, through a residential area, across busy roads, under a gate, through a cat door, and up some stairs before he was found at around 9:30 p.m.

Alaska Boat Captain Saves Four Bucks Found Swimming Near Juneau

Sarah Smith — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:54:40 -0500

--Kurt Schulitz

Four bucks who overdid a leisurely group swim near Juneau, Alaska had to be rescued by Tom Satre, captain of the charter boat the Alaska Quest. After swimming around his boat a few times, the deer were completely exhausted.

These types of stories are not unheard of, but are always amazing. Thankfully, the bucks lived to swim another day.

From this story in the Juneau Empire:

A foursome of young bucks fell upon some good luck Sunday as they were pulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage by a group of locals out to enjoy the last few days of recent sunshine. These good Samaritans describe their experience as "one of those defining moments in life." The winds blew hard down Taku Inlet that day, said Tom Satre, captain of his 62-foot charter vessel the Alaska Quest. The fury of the gusts had whipped the water into white-capped waves, which Satre guessed were topping out around three feet.

How to Make Spiced Cider

Sarah Smith — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:28:03 -0500

by David Draper

From the cool autumn nights of late September on through the holiday season, a hot cup of spiced apple cider can melt away any chill. That sweet, peppery bite warms the stomach and soothes the soul. Splashed with a little bourbon or brandy, it even adds a twinkle to the eye.

Warm a three quart pot over a medium heat. Toss in a pinch of whole cloves, a spoonful of black peppercorn, and two cinnamon sticks.

If you happen to have a few allspice berries (I never do), throw them in the pot, too.

After about a minute or two, your kitchen should start smelling like autumn. Pour in two quarts of apple cider. (Plain apple juice will do, if you must.) Raise the heat and bring the mix just to, but not past, the boiling point. Reduce the heat to low.

Huge Bug Thought to be Extinct Found in New Zealand

Sarah Smith — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:14:42 -0500

--Chad Love

Live bait anglers, prepare to get Crocodile Dundee'd, because this cricket is bigger than your sorry cricket. "You call that live bait? Now here's some live bait!"

From the (UK) Sun:

An explorer has found the biggest insect ever on record - so large it can scoff a carrot. She's called a Weta Bug and has a huge wing span of SEVEN inches and weighs as much as three mice. Renowned entomologist Mark Moffett, 55, discovered the cricket-like creature up a tree on New Zealand's Little Barrier Island.

Hooded Vegan Vandal Attacks British Butcher Shops?

Online Editors — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:08:32 -0500

Old Blighty carnivores beware: There's a "mad vegetarian" on the loose in one British city, and your local butcher shop may be the next target of his vegan wrath.

From this story in Metro UK:

Police hunt 'mad vegetarian' vandalising butchers shops in Bristol. Police are hunting a hooded man who is believed to be behind the vandalism of six butchers shops in Bristol. Shopkeepers at the family-run stores believe a 'mad vegetarian' could be behind the attacks, which began eight weeks ago. Between them, the shops have had their windows or door smashed with a brick a total of 11 times. Adrian Cunliffe, director of Millhouse Family Butchers, believes the two attacks on his shop could be animal rights-related since no attempt was made to steal anything either time.

Environmentalists Suing USFWS Over Crops on Wildlife Refuges

Online Editors — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:09:53 -0500

A coalition of environmental groups are suing the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, claiming the agency broke federal law by allowing genetically-modifed crops to be planted on national wildlife refuges.

From this story on the Mother Nature Network website:

Environmental and food safety groups filed suit on Wednesday against the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, demanding it end the cultivation of genetically modified crops on Midwestern wildlife refuges. The groups claim the federal agency broke the law by entering agreements with farmers that allowed planting of biotech crops on refuge land in eight U.S. states without environmental reviews required by U.S. law.

Wild Side: Mashed Pumpkin

Sarah Smith — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:54:44 -0400

by David Draper

Sure mashed potatoes are the standard side dish for a big, fat venison steak or deer roast, but with Thanksgiving just around the corner, why not try a couple of ingredients that offer up some autumn flavors? Somewhat surprisingly, pumpkin and allspice make a great compliment to venison, and while you can pair them a number of ways, an easy mashed pumpkin side dish just might be the best.

*When buying (or growing) a pumpkin for this dish, try to avoid jack-o-lantern type pumpkins which generally have a thinner flesh. Look for pumpkin pie or cheese pumpkins at your local market.

Conservation (Bad) News: Salmon Plague Spreads to Wild Pacific Stocks

Sarah Smith — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:10:38 -0400

by Bob Marshall

Deadly Disease Threatens Wild Pacific Salmon

File this one under: Just when you think things couldn't get worse.

Earlier this month fishery officials in Canada and the U.S. confirmed the deadly infectious salmon anemia had been found for the first time in wild Pacific salmon. This is the same disease that devastated salmon farms in Chile and other countries. The disease was found in two sockeye salmon smolts off British Columbia.

The news sent shock waves through the fishing industries and communities that depend on salmon. It was good to see the threat also quickly cut through the entrenched partisanship in Washington resulting in a bi-partisan bill to address the outbreak.

Come On Tavelocity Gnome, Make My Day

Online Editors — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:07:55 -0400

--Chad Love