Okay, folks. The response to the last Man’s Best Friend caption contest was spectacular, and many of you expressed desire for another chance to win big. So here it comes.
We’ve got a pretty great image of, ummm, an atypical gun dog, and we need your editorial touch.
In 1987 the Montana Department of Fish & Game attempted to relocate an adult male grizzly bear that had been trapped alive after allegedly killing a cow on an Indian reservation near Kalispell, Montana. The bear was tranquilized, fitted with a radio collar and some ear tags, and the trap was put into the bed of a pickup truck and driven deep into the nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness, where the bear was to be released.
I have seen those photos many times before but never knew the story. Was almost certain that the release site was Tuchuk Creek near the Canadian border in Montana and I was also almost certain that was Louis Kiss on top of the crate. The Big Sky mudflaps were a giveaway and I fished off that bridge many times when I was a kid (fifty years ago!). Absolutely thrilled to finally know I called this one correctly. After I left for the Army, Louis measured my first bull elk. He has been retired for a long time (if he's still alive). At the time of this photo he was more than just a game warden. He was in charge of the district. He was a fine fella. A good warden, thoughtful, pleasant, and sensible.
Today’s New York Times contained two stories about fatal animal attacks on humans. One was by a killer whale named Tilikum who grabbed his “trainer” at Sea World in Orlando and drowned her. The second was about the police officer who was forced to kill Travis the chimp in Stamford, CT, about a year ago, after Travis attacked and nearly killed a friend of his owner.
Today’s New York Times contained two stories about fatal animal attacks on humans. One was by a killer whale named Tilikum who grabbed his “trainer” at Sea World in Orlando and drowned her. The second was about the police officer who was forced to kill Travis the chimp in Stamford, CT, about a year ago, after Travis attacked and nearly killed a friend of his owner.
I disagree with 007. We think that everything must be geared to our utilization. So what if hardly anyone would ever see a killer whale or a rhino if there were no zoos. Big deal. People can go to a natural museum and see one mounted and I think be just as impressed or educated. There is no natural behavior to be observed in a zoo or aquarium. It's a dog and pony show. I also do not agree with the National Park Service creating "bear viewing" opportunities in Alaska. Changing the behavior of the one animal above all that symbolizes what wilderness and nature is in North America really goes against the grain of what they are supposed to be doing (which is clearly dictated in their 1916 mandate). I have debated this point with them till I was blue in the face. A habituated grizzly IS NOT wild. Just because it's still wandering around eating and sleeping and crapping like it would be if I wasn't standing next to it doesn't mean it's wild. Plop yourself alongside a group of bears feeding on salmon in a truely wild environment and see what happens! They'll either run like hell or enjoy an appetizer that's a lot less fishy tasting! That's a WILD grizzly in a NATURAL environment. Photographing one of those bears is a rare and worthy treasure.
I got an invitation to go quail hunting last weekend at Brays Plantation in Sheldon, S.C. I’m a newbie quail hunter, but I jumped at the chance, of course. The birds were thick, the weather was perfect, and, surprisingly, my shot wasn’t too far off.
I should also mention that Pearl almost immediately recognized Opal's outstanding nose. She'll keep her eye on the pup all the time when they're making a blind retrieve. She let's Opal find the geese and then runs over to pick it up. It's amazing how she can tell when Opal's onto a bird.
I got an invitation to go quail hunting last weekend at Brays Plantation in Sheldon, S.C. I’m a newbie quail hunter, but I jumped at the chance, of course. The birds were thick, the weather was perfect, and, surprisingly, my shot wasn’t too far off.
I have two black labs who were essentially trained separate from each other. Two years ago I took a job in Montana while the family stayed here in Canada. After my mother died of cancer there I was getting blue so decided to get a lab pup. My wife had a fit and wanted to send our 3 year-old lab out instead. But that was out of the question as it would have distressed our autistic son. I humorously threatened to seek companionship in the local bars and she quickly capitulated. The pup was gangbusters for uplands even from three months old. We had a great season before I returned to Canada. The older dog took to the pup like she was her own. Last fall was their first season hunting together and I just played it by ear. Pearl had been raised on goose hunting and Opal at first deferred to her. Suprisingly, Pearl (older dog) allowed Opal to "help" with the retrieves. Pearl did the real work while Opal would assist carrying the honker's head or wing. Opal was used to breaking at the shot when upland hunting and Pearl quickly fell into the bad habit by example. It didn't take much to get them straightened out - they're good dogs. Phesant hunting in Montana later in the season was an interesting turn of events. Opal remembered our old haunts and was very excited but immediately deferred to Pearl, staying mostly on the older dog's track as she worked the field with her nose. I simply could not get them to break up. Several of us were hunting and they refused to separate. About half way through the second day, they switched roles and Pearl let Opal take the lead. It went on that way through the entire week, shifting from one to the other. When a bird went down they'd both go for it, but curiously, if Pearl got to them first she would give the birds up to Opal! With one exception: a rooster fell in a slough and Pearl had to swim for it. She would not give that one up. However, she let Opal hang on till I had it in hand, still alive and undamaged. Anyway, in this case it is difficult to say who has been learning what from who.
Two black labs, Pearl (age 5) and Opal (age 2). They are great companions and wonderful hunters. Love getting geese and pheasants. See them in my profile.
Apparently Chile has a little problem with their farmed Salmon. Many of the fish have a virus that causes anemia, is infectious and leads to death. For the salmon that is...
Ashley Fantz with CNN is reporting that it only is found in Chilean farmed salmon and is not "harmful to humans". This is according to the FDA.
Well, first of all these are Atlantic salmon (actually trout not salmon). Since there are no wild salmon runs that I am aware of in Chile, I doubt the lice issues are going to affect wild fish populations like they have in Europe. Also, fish getting loose from the farms aren't going to muck up the wild true salmon runs like they have on Vancouver Island. So, if you're going to buy farmed Atlantic salmon, the ecological impact of Chilean fish is perhaps the least significant.
I'm not terribly worried. The FDA is pretty strict about what's in imported foods (at least foods consumed by people - dogs haven't fared as well). Unfortunately, they're not nearly as strict about imported live species. That's why we are in the midst of the flying carp crisis in the Mississipii drainage.
Two female black labs, Pearl and Opal. Pearl is five and Opal is two. Pearl is from Minnesota and Opal is from Great Falls, Montana. They are GREAT dogs. Like a matched pair. They're great for waterfowl and pheasants. Both are about 65 lbs. They'll hunt all day with me. Both were early starters - Pearl retrieved her first honker at exactly 4 months and Opal flushed and retrieved first hun at 3 months and 3 days.
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Caption Contest: Write a Caption. Win an Awesome Zink Duck Call!217
Okay, folks. The response to the last Man’s Best Friend caption contest was spectacular, and many of you expressed desire for another chance to win big. So here it comes.
We’ve got a pretty great image of, ummm, an atypical gun dog, and we need your editorial touch.
I can make ya a real good deal on this little retriever. And he's great at flushing and pointing too. Just make sure you don't get off the fairway.
Grizzly Attack Caught on Camera51
In 1987 the Montana Department of Fish & Game attempted to relocate an adult male grizzly bear that had been trapped alive after allegedly killing a cow on an Indian reservation near Kalispell, Montana. The bear was tranquilized, fitted with a radio collar and some ear tags, and the trap was put into the bed of a pickup truck and driven deep into the nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness, where the bear was to be released.
I have seen those photos many times before but never knew the story. Was almost certain that the release site was Tuchuk Creek near the Canadian border in Montana and I was also almost certain that was Louis Kiss on top of the crate. The Big Sky mudflaps were a giveaway and I fished off that bridge many times when I was a kid (fifty years ago!). Absolutely thrilled to finally know I called this one correctly. After I left for the Army, Louis measured my first bull elk. He has been retired for a long time (if he's still alive). At the time of this photo he was more than just a game warden. He was in charge of the district. He was a fine fella. A good warden, thoughtful, pleasant, and sensible.
Petzal: Free Willy?98
Today’s New York Times contained two stories about fatal animal attacks on humans. One was by a killer whale named Tilikum who grabbed his “trainer” at Sea World in Orlando and drowned her. The second was about the police officer who was forced to kill Travis the chimp in Stamford, CT, about a year ago, after Travis attacked and nearly killed a friend of his owner.
WAM, don't be chased off. Bite the bullet (again!) and stay with us. Won't do any good if you leave. Things will change, I'm sure.
Petzal: Free Willy?98
Today’s New York Times contained two stories about fatal animal attacks on humans. One was by a killer whale named Tilikum who grabbed his “trainer” at Sea World in Orlando and drowned her. The second was about the police officer who was forced to kill Travis the chimp in Stamford, CT, about a year ago, after Travis attacked and nearly killed a friend of his owner.
I disagree with 007. We think that everything must be geared to our utilization. So what if hardly anyone would ever see a killer whale or a rhino if there were no zoos. Big deal. People can go to a natural museum and see one mounted and I think be just as impressed or educated. There is no natural behavior to be observed in a zoo or aquarium. It's a dog and pony show. I also do not agree with the National Park Service creating "bear viewing" opportunities in Alaska. Changing the behavior of the one animal above all that symbolizes what wilderness and nature is in North America really goes against the grain of what they are supposed to be doing (which is clearly dictated in their 1916 mandate). I have debated this point with them till I was blue in the face. A habituated grizzly IS NOT wild. Just because it's still wandering around eating and sleeping and crapping like it would be if I wasn't standing next to it doesn't mean it's wild. Plop yourself alongside a group of bears feeding on salmon in a truely wild environment and see what happens! They'll either run like hell or enjoy an appetizer that's a lot less fishy tasting! That's a WILD grizzly in a NATURAL environment. Photographing one of those bears is a rare and worthy treasure.
Can a Young Pup Learn from an Older Bird Dog?16
I got an invitation to go quail hunting last weekend at Brays Plantation in Sheldon, S.C. I’m a newbie quail hunter, but I jumped at the chance, of course. The birds were thick, the weather was perfect, and, surprisingly, my shot wasn’t too far off.
I should also mention that Pearl almost immediately recognized Opal's outstanding nose. She'll keep her eye on the pup all the time when they're making a blind retrieve. She let's Opal find the geese and then runs over to pick it up. It's amazing how she can tell when Opal's onto a bird.
Can a Young Pup Learn from an Older Bird Dog?16
I got an invitation to go quail hunting last weekend at Brays Plantation in Sheldon, S.C. I’m a newbie quail hunter, but I jumped at the chance, of course. The birds were thick, the weather was perfect, and, surprisingly, my shot wasn’t too far off.
I have two black labs who were essentially trained separate from each other. Two years ago I took a job in Montana while the family stayed here in Canada. After my mother died of cancer there I was getting blue so decided to get a lab pup. My wife had a fit and wanted to send our 3 year-old lab out instead. But that was out of the question as it would have distressed our autistic son. I humorously threatened to seek companionship in the local bars and she quickly capitulated. The pup was gangbusters for uplands even from three months old. We had a great season before I returned to Canada. The older dog took to the pup like she was her own. Last fall was their first season hunting together and I just played it by ear. Pearl had been raised on goose hunting and Opal at first deferred to her. Suprisingly, Pearl (older dog) allowed Opal to "help" with the retrieves. Pearl did the real work while Opal would assist carrying the honker's head or wing. Opal was used to breaking at the shot when upland hunting and Pearl quickly fell into the bad habit by example. It didn't take much to get them straightened out - they're good dogs. Phesant hunting in Montana later in the season was an interesting turn of events. Opal remembered our old haunts and was very excited but immediately deferred to Pearl, staying mostly on the older dog's track as she worked the field with her nose. I simply could not get them to break up. Several of us were hunting and they refused to separate. About half way through the second day, they switched roles and Pearl let Opal take the lead. It went on that way through the entire week, shifting from one to the other. When a bird went down they'd both go for it, but curiously, if Pearl got to them first she would give the birds up to Opal! With one exception: a rooster fell in a slough and Pearl had to swim for it. She would not give that one up. However, she let Opal hang on till I had it in hand, still alive and undamaged. Anyway, in this case it is difficult to say who has been learning what from who.
The F&S Gun Dog Census: Tell Us What Kind of Dog You Have. Win Free Stuff.215
So sorry for the double post. I didn't realize there was two pages. Ooops.
The F&S Gun Dog Census: Tell Us What Kind of Dog You Have. Win Free Stuff.215
Two black labs, Pearl (age 5) and Opal (age 2). They are great companions and wonderful hunters. Love getting geese and pheasants. See them in my profile.
Diseased Salmon on Your Dinner Plate19
Apparently Chile has a little problem with their farmed Salmon. Many of the fish have a virus that causes anemia, is infectious and leads to death. For the salmon that is...
Ashley Fantz with CNN is reporting that it only is found in Chilean farmed salmon and is not "harmful to humans". This is according to the FDA.
Well, first of all these are Atlantic salmon (actually trout not salmon). Since there are no wild salmon runs that I am aware of in Chile, I doubt the lice issues are going to affect wild fish populations like they have in Europe. Also, fish getting loose from the farms aren't going to muck up the wild true salmon runs like they have on Vancouver Island. So, if you're going to buy farmed Atlantic salmon, the ecological impact of Chilean fish is perhaps the least significant. I'm not terribly worried. The FDA is pretty strict about what's in imported foods (at least foods consumed by people - dogs haven't fared as well). Unfortunately, they're not nearly as strict about imported live species. That's why we are in the midst of the flying carp crisis in the Mississipii drainage.
The F&S Gun Dog Census: Tell Us What Kind of Dog You Have. Win Free Stuff.215
Two female black labs, Pearl and Opal. Pearl is five and Opal is two. Pearl is from Minnesota and Opal is from Great Falls, Montana. They are GREAT dogs. Like a matched pair. They're great for waterfowl and pheasants. Both are about 65 lbs. They'll hunt all day with me. Both were early starters - Pearl retrieved her first honker at exactly 4 months and Opal flushed and retrieved first hun at 3 months and 3 days.
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