Chad Love

Washington Waterfowlers Pushing for Electronic Decoy Legalization

Online Editors — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:39:52 -0500

--Chad Love

Electronic duck decoys. You see them virtually everywhere now, but the ethics of using them remains a point of never-ending debate among waterfowlers. These devices are legal in 47 states, and the state of Washington is not one of them. But now some Washington State waterfowlers are pushing to get the electronic motion decoys legalized. 

From this story in the Spokane Spokesman-Review:

If it looks like a duck, acts like a duck and flaps its wings like a duck, conventional wisdom dictates that it is, in fact, a duck. But not always. Not when the duck in question is really a Mojo Duck, RoboDuk or any other brand of spinning-wing decoy that waterfowl hunters use to lure real birds into shooting range.

NY Woman Sues Dog Breeder Over Genetic Abnormalities

Online Editors — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:37:42 -0500

by Chad Love

Does your dog have a soul? And if you answered yes, should you be able to sue an unscrupulous breeder for your dog's pain and suffering caused by genetic defects?

These are just a few of the interesting questions being raised by a lawsuit now making its way through the New York legal system. This lawsuit seeks to reclassify dogs as "living souls" so their breeders can be held accountable for any pain and suffering the dog endures from genetic defects (A big hat tip to Patrick Burns at the always provocative and entertaining Terrierman's Daily Dose dog blog for the find). 

From this story on cbsnews.com:

When Elena Zakharova took home her 2-month-old female Brussels Griffon from the Raising Rover pet store in Manhattan, she was excited about the new addition to her family. But, according to the New York Daily News, just a few months later in July 2011, the dog began whimpering and limping in pain. Now, her owner says despite expensive surgery, she will never run or walk like other dogs. Zakharova is claiming that the pet store sold her a dog with genetic abnormalities that could have been avoided if the pup were not bred from other dogs with disabilities. She is suing the business in a New York small claims court for the pain and suffering of the now year-old dog, which she named Umka.

Who Hunts Upland Birds With Flushers?

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:24:17 -0500

by Chad Love

Recently I blogged about trying to turn my duck dog into a flusher. That experiment is ongoing but thanks to the absolute dearth of quail in my area, I haven't yet been able to get my old, set-in-her-ways duck dog into any birds. But my efforts have left me wondering how many of you choose to hunt upland birds with flushers.

Now I don’t mean pheasants, which a great many people (perhaps even a majority) hunt with flushers, with great success. No surprise there. What I mean are the more traditional pointy-dog birds like quail and grouse--particularly quail.

Dumbest. Poacher. Ever.

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:58:41 -0500

--Chad Love

Here's today's candidate for the Darwin Awards...

From this story on wnem.com:

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Here's some advice for hunters who don't follow the law: Don't wear a hat that promotes breaking it. During the traditional deer season last month, state conservation officer Jeremy Payne stopped a pickup truck with two hunters in central Michigan's Isabella County. They were from Maine, and 1 of the hunters was wearing a cap that said, "Registered Maine Poacher." Payne checked their guns and paperwork and found that the Mainers were illegally hunting with Michigan resident licenses, a savings of more $100 each. The officer later found two deer that had been killed illegally.

Dude's a shoo-in to reach the finals, don't you think?

Lost Newfoundland Couple Uses Fresh Moose Hide To Fight Cold

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:51:15 -0500

--Chad Love

Remember that scene in The Empire Strikes Back where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are trapped on Hoth, so Han uses Luke's lightsaber to cut open a dead Tauntaun and hollow out the body cavity to use as an overnight shelter from the freezing temperatures? If not, see below...and since it's kind of a sin to have never seen Empire, you get the dubbed version.

In recent news, a pair of Canadian moose hunters trapped overnight in the freezing wilderness didn't follow the script to the letter, but they came pretty darn close.

From this story on cbcnews.com:
A western Newfoundland couple used the hide of a freshly killed moose overnight Tuesday to keep warm after getting lost in the woods during a hunting trip near Gros Morne National Park. Stephen and Sheila Joyce said they lost their way after wounding a young moose and began following the trail of its blood. Shivering and soaking wet, they eventually caught up with the wounded animal.

American Croc Off Endangered List Thanks To...a Nuclear Power Plant?

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:02:03 -0500

The rare American crocodile has made it off the endangered species list thanks in large part to..."The Simpsons" Mr. Burns? Well, not exactly, but no one could have guessed that a nuclear power plant would play a key role in bringing the American croc back from the brink...

From this story in USA Today:
An unexpected but fruitful relationship has blossomed between two potent forces in the swamps of South Florida: the American crocodile and a nuclear power plant. The reptile has made it off the endangered species list thanks in part to 168 miles (270 kilometers) of manmade cooling canals surrounding Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant in the southeastern corner of the Florida peninsula. It turns out that Florida Power and Light was building prime croc habitat just as virtually every other developer was paving it over. Federal wildlife officials give the state's largest public utility part of the credit for a five-fold increase in the species' population in Florida. There are only two other sanctuaries for the crocodiles, which are still considered threatened.

Congress Pushed to Limit the Number of Acres Elligible for CRP

Dave_Maccar — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:43:49 -0500

by Chad Love

Powerful ag interests are pushing Congress to drastically limit the number of acres that can be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.

From this story on argusleader.com:

Soaring crop prices are coaxing landowners across the Midwest and Great Plains to put Conservation Reserve Program acreage back under the plow, and Congress is considering reducing the program even further. A farm bill that leaders of the congressional agriculture committees drafted this fall would cap the $2 billion-a-year Conservation Reserve Program at 25 million acres nationwide, down from the current limit of 32 million acres. When the program was created in 1985, the government was allowed to enroll as many as 45 million acres.

Hunt for the Hungry Needs More Donations

Sarah Smith — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:16:45 -0500

Donated venison is a vital component of volunteer food pantries and kitchens this time of year, and thousands of hunters across the nation participate. But some food pantries are finding that hunters' donations can't keep up with demand.

From this story in the Green Bay Press Gazette:

The Hunt for the Hungry program is on pace this hunting season to surpass previous totals of donated deer, but organizers say the economy still is hampering donations. About 400 deer have been donated to Hunt for the Hungry, which gives venison to food pantries in 11 area counties.

Good Gear: A Custom Small Game Knife That Will Last

Online Editors — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:19:16 -0500

by Chad Love

A good, sharp knife is perhaps the most basic item in any kit I carry to the field, regardless of whether I'm training or hunting. And since knives are one of those items that tend to last forever (if you take care of them) and someday get passed down to your children, I firmly believe it's better to spend more money buying a single quality knife than to buy a bunch of the cheap crap. So, when it came time for me to invest in a new small game knife to carry while bird and duck hunting, I decided to go with a custom maker.  

Charles May is a Mississippi-based custom knife maker who makes blades of superlative beauty, toughness and function. I first discovered Charles May several years ago while looking for a new big-game knife. I kept hearing praises about his knives from hunters across the country. When I got my first knife, I knew exactly why; they are masterpieces of elegant simplicity. I've been carrying one of Charles’ big-game knives for three years now, and decided to complement it with one of Charlie's exquisitely made bird and trout knives. The new knife has been on my belt since early September and it is every bit as good as I thought it would be. 

How To Make Ice Cube Bullets

Sarah Smith — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:50:46 -0500

Are you a deer camp mixologist looking for a way to add a little bang to your drinks? Then here you go!

From geekstuff4u.com:

Creates bullet shaped ice cubes that are perfect for that killer drink! Just fill up the tray with water, like you would do with a standard Ice cube tray, and place it in the freezer. Then enjoy your beverage!