What Draining Medard Lake Revealed

Milt Inman and I have ventured over to Edward Medard Park in Southeastern Hillsborough County before. We were a bit surprised when we arrived there yesterday. The lake had been drained.

Photo by Tom Remington

The photo above shows last year’s trip, where water in the reservoir was plentiful and the boardwalk was active with sightseers and fishermen.

Milt Inman Photo

When we arrived yesterday, the above photo shows there is no water. The lake bed was essentially dry, with the exception of some deeper holes and channels. The lake was drained to do repairs to the dam and the levees that retain the water in the reservoir.

As we looked around at the boat launch area, we discovered one of the docks was piled with garbage. On the ground near the dock were also bags full of refuse. At the time, we assumed that as workers or perhaps Florida water authorities or maybe the Florida Fish and Wildlife people had hauled in some of this while during their work.

Milt Inman Photo

Milt Inman Photo

It wasn’t until we arrived back home and was watching the local news on television, did we discover that the garbage had been retrieved by a group of about 56 students from nearby Randall Middle School.

Among the collection, I spotted at least 3 gas-powered outboard motors and a couple electric trolling motors, what appeared to be a gas-powered generator, anchors, tires, rims, fishing rods, etc.

We ran into a few other surprised people who had arrived to do some fishing. Medard Lake is one of the better bass fishing spots in Central Florida and many are anxious to get it filled back up and restore the fishery. I wonder if they will keep the alligators out?

I snickered but kept my opinions to myself as I spoke with one man who was initially quite alarmed as he assumed the lake had gone dry because of global warming. I assured him it had been deliberately drained by man and when repairs were complete, they would allow the reservoir to be refilled.

A hat tip and a pat on the back go to the young people of Randall Middle School for taking a few hours out of their holiday away from school, to give something back to their community.

Tom Remington

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Beach: Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie County, Florida

The day after Christmas, my wife and I set out on a two-day expedition exploring parts of Florida we haven’t seen yet. It was a mostly cloudy day but the sun would occasionally peek through the clouds. Looking south down the beach, bright rays of sunshine glared through openings in the dark clouds illuminating the waters of the Atlantic Ocean while making the frothing waves glow bright white.

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Yardbirds: Turkeys In The Yard

This short narrative and photos come from reader “jes” in Florida.

Nice flock in my yard today, they cleaned up my yard, then went to the feeder in my front field and had a feeding frenzy..These birds are just a year old, except the hens who have had several clutches, and are still producing large broods…photos were taken through the glass window..there were ten in this flock and nine in the flock that came by earlier..
These are the results of keeping feeders active throughout the year….Although I’ve lived here for over 56 years, it’s only been the last 7-9 years that turkeys have been coming through the area where I live…and I’ve been feeding them for at least 9-10 years, hoping to get them settled in ….they wander through the neighborhood, coming back for the supplemental feed that helps get them through …and they are always a pleasure to watch. This flock was probably all from one “clutch”, or one hen, although sometimes two or more “clutches” will get together, and sometime even many more! Later in the year, they will separate, and go different ways, gobblers with gobblers, hens with hens, and then again they will band together, into even larger flocks. If enough neighbors will “provide” for them, they will stay in an area, and live their lives without wandering far enough to go where they may fall prey to disaster..or someone’s dinner table. Even though I hunt spring gobblers every year, I have only hunted one of these “homebirds” One year when I was so crippled from a heel spur that I couldn’t hunt my usual hunting area, I was up at early light, taking the dog out, when I heard the gobble of a bird in response to slamming the door behind me….and after limping to a tree in my front field, sat and called in the first and only bird I have killed on my home ground..and that corn fed bird was mighty fat and sweet…

Posted by Tom Remington

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Some Hunting Success

It appears a reader of the Black Bear Blog has had some success with his black powder rifle.

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Late Season Florida Osceola Turkey Hunt With Scott Ellis

This is a late season, public land Osceola hunt. Behind the gun is Scott Ellis (contributing writer for U.S. Hunting Today). Videographer: John Applewhite. This bird goes away from us at first but after moving into his “personal zone” things quickly start to move in our favor. Watch as we are able to tease this gobbler into gun range with some sweet talk. Lots of gobblin! What a movie star! (More videos!)

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Ohio Introduces Their Version Of “Firearms Freedom Act”

Ohio now lists among several other states to introduce their own version of Montana’s “Firearms Freedom Act”. Montana’s act, which has been signed by the governor and took effect on October 1st, states that any guns or gun products manufactured in Montana and remain in Montana are not subject to federal regulations.

Ohio’s bill, HB315 states:

To enact section 2923.26 of the Revised Code to provide that ammunition, firearms, and firearm accessories that are manufactured and remain in Ohio are not subject to federal laws and regulations derived under Congress’ authority to regulate interstate commerce and to require the words “Made in Ohio” be stamped on a central metallic part of any firearm manufactured and sold in Ohio.

According to Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, Ohio now joins with eight other states who have either passed or introduced a cloned version of Montana’s bill – Texas, which has passed a bill, Alaska, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Other states are working on them.

Marbut says that with more states passing and introducing similar legislation, this should help Montana in their litigation efforts in validating the Montana Firearms Freedom Act bill. A court hearing has been scheduled for later this year in which the state of Montana hopes to get a ruling that states have this right as stated in the Constitution.

Tom Remington

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Elk Foundation Supports Florida Youth, Sets Fundraiser

MISSOULA, Mont.? The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has announced its 2009 grants for conservation education projects in Florida, and scheduled a fundraiser for Oct. 3 in Ft. Lauderdale.

The Elk Foundation?s Everglades Chapter will hold its annual big-game banquet Oct. 3 at the Miami Showman?s Association, 3391 Griffin Rd., in Ft. Lauderdale. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event features food, fun, games, prizes and an auction. For reservations, call Shelly at (954) 953-5312 or register online at www.rmef.org.

RMEF chapters and partners across Florida since 1997 have completed conservation and education projects valued at more than $166,000.

Highlights have included workshops, clinics and programs to introduce youth and other newcomers to the outdoors, promote hunter safety and responsibility, provide physically challenged individuals with a hunting experience, and engage kids in conservation.

For 2009, Elk Foundation grants for Florida have been allocated as follows:

1. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received an RMEF grant in support of the agency?s hunter safety programs. Also includes support for the Youth Hunting Program of Florida, Florida National Archery in the Schools, Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center and Becoming an Outdoors-Woman.

2. Florida 4-H Foundation received an RMEF grant in support of the 4-H Conservation Shooting Sports Program. In addition to firearm safety training, this program also maintains an archery instruction component at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. The program has become increasingly popular, and RMEF has provided funding for seven straight years.

The Elk Foundation emphasizes habitat conservation in states with wild elk herds, but a portion of funds raised in Florida and other non-elk states are kept at home to benefit local conservation education and hunting heritage activities.

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Protecting A Species At What Expense

This one hits a little bit closer to home. Here in Florida and more specifically about 2 or 3 miles from where I live here in Largo, street construction on Walsingham Road was halted because of a bald eagle’s nest located nearby in a cell tower. Bay News 9 covered the story.

The Kiehls, Donna and Tom, are friends of mine and they own a business on Walsingham Road. When construction moves in under normal circumstances, it is always a struggle to maintain a good clientele. Tom and Donna kept a stiff upper lip through the process believing that when the project was complete, the upgraded street and sidewalks would help to enhance their business and sweeten the “drive by” appeal. They’ve been kicked while they’re down.

After construction was well underway, the eagles’ nest, perched high in a cell phone tower, was discovered and because of laws regulating the protection of species, no work could be done between October and May. Consequently, their business has suffered greatly and yet there appears to be little sympathy garnered toward the Kiehls and others in the area.

“The construction could possibly affect them because of noise levels,” said eagle expert Barbara Walker. “The other reason would be, if there were a lot of people on foot at the construction site, not just eagles but any birds can get scared off.”

That is a consideration of the eagles and their nesting site but has anyone thought that perhaps if the “noise” and foot traffic was really a problem, the eagles would not have nested there perhaps? And of course those wanting to protect the eagles, at the expense of running someone out of business, blame man for the eagles’ demise.

Experts say construction projects are often put on hold because of eagles’ nests. They say more eagles are nesting in cell phone towers because of a decline in natural habitat, like pine trees.

This may be true but the same experts fail to tell the whole story. Another reason eagles are nesting in cell phone towers is because there are more eagles in battle over the same amount of habitat. Those evil men, demonized by the animal rights groups, have done such a great job protecting the eagle, there are now more of them than ever. Over protection can be as big a concern as under protection.

The eagle is not an endangered species. It may not be as prevalent to some as they would like – they want to see an eagle in everyone’s back yard tree – but it is far from endangered. In places like Alaska, eagles have become a nuisance, taking over areas leaving their mess behind and doing a number on other prey species.

In Maine, where bald eagles were recently removed from the states protection list, there’s a problem of eagles preying on great cormorant’s nests killing the young and consequently putting survival of the great cormorant in some kind of jeopardy.

I want to protect any species but the one at the top of my list is my fellow man, friend or not. While environmentalists continue to rule this country, people like the Kiehls suffer economically at their expense. This is shameful. Construction should be allowed to continue while these environmentalists can give up their day jobs and take turns monitoring the effects of the construction on the eaglets. That only seems right.

Tom Remington

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Things Your Dog Might Drag Home

Loyal reader “jes” sent me some pictures he had of the nice little “gift” his dog brought home the other day – a three foot long coral snake. Fortunately, the dog didn’t get bitten by this deadly viper.

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Florida Farmer Will Not Face Charges For Shooting Bear

May 14, 2009
Contact: Pat Behnke, 850-251-2130

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers have determined a Santa Rosa County farmer was justified in shooting a large male bear while it was killing his goats.

Holley resident Jerry Lee Cash, 60, shot the 370-pound bear at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday inside a fenced enclosure at his farm on 3319 Bob Tolbert Rd. The bear killed two goats and was chasing others. FWC biologists already had been to Cash’s home twice in the past week after the bear killed five other goats.

“Mr. Cash contacted the FWC and followed our recommendations to keep the bear away from his goats. He had put up an electric fence and moved his other goats to smaller pens inside his property, but unfortunately the bear was still able to get at them,” said FWC wildlife biologist Barb Almario. “Biologists had set two traps on the property, but the bear bypassed them.”

FWC Officer Howard Jones responded to the scene and said Cash told him he shouted repeatedly at the bear and tried to run him off, but the bear was unfazed and chased the remaining goats until Cash shot him.

“It’s my opinion that Mr. Cash acted responsibly throughout this matter,” Jones said, “and that his killing of this large bear was justified under the circumstances.”

Intentional killing of a black bear in Florida is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. FWC officers investigate and determine whether a bear-killing is intentional and/or justified on a case-by-case basis. Officers say it’s not always a simple decision, but in cases where there are alternatives to killing the bear, they will make an arrest or file charges.

Florida’s black bear population has expanded in recent years, and the FWC estimates there are 2,500-3,000 animals. As bear numbers have grown, so have the animals’ incursions into backyards, neighborhoods and urban areas.

The FWC database of bear incidents in Florida between Jan. 1, 2004 and Dec. 31, 2008, documents 334 reports of bears attacking or killing domestic animals and livestock. Over the same period, there were 3,413 complaints about bears in garbage.

Loss of habitat from urban growth and the expansion of the bear population combine to cause bears to make forays into residential areas where they get into garbage, pet foods, birdseed, livestock feed and a host of other high-calorie foods, according to FWC biologists.

“The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to remove or secure anything that attracts them,” said Dave Telesco, the FWC’s Black Bear Management Program coordinator. “When bears lose their natural fear of people and associate homes with food, there aren’t many good options.”

Anyone wanting to report black bear incidents can contact the FWC’s regional office or the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Information about black bears is available at MyFWC.com/Bear.

Posted by Tom Remington

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Florida Legislators Raid CCW Trust Fund – Try to Intimidate Governor

In a last minute sneak attack on gun owners, the Florida Legislature raided the concealed weapons and firearms licensing trust fund. This not only effects resident CCW license holders, but non-resident Florida license holders as well!

They took $6 million from the Division of Licensing Concealed Weapons and Firearm Trust Fund that is intended, by law, to be used solely for administering the concealed weapons and firearms licensing program. (Read background information below)

Please Call, Fax, or Email Governor Charlie Crist IMMEDIATELY, and ask him to veto the $6 Million trust fund sweep from the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Licensing authorized under Section 59 of the Conference Report of SB-2600.

Please send your email today!!!!!

And/or please contact the Governor’s office by phone or fax ASAP.

Phone number: (850) 488-4441 or (850) 488-7146
Fax number: (850) 487-0801

Send your email to the Governor at this address: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Posted by Tom Remington

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Yesterday’s Rattlesnake

One of my readers was kind enough to send me this picture, obviously taken many years ago, of a a giant rattlesnake he killed in Florida. Here is what he had to say about the snake.

Thought I’d post you a big snake that I took when I was younger….much younger…This old rattler was 7 ft. 1″ and would have been a record setter if I had been able to keep her alive…unfortunately, as you see, she met her demise…but just last year, I was able to catch her duplicate, a 7ft. plus a smidgen…(couldn’t stretch her out much, since she was squirming so much, and very powerful) And this time, I kept her alive and moved her to the back of my back forty acres, where she would be unmolested, and had plenty of rabbits and rats to eat…Most of all, I regret that I didn’t think to take her back for a photo, before I turned her loose…
The photo shows that the board I had wasn’t both wide enough or tall enough to properly show the size, and I wrapped the skin around the board along the sides, and at the bottom where the “vent” makes a hole..

Tom Remington

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Designating Critical Habitat

When we become blinded to reality and caught up in our “do-gooder” mentalities we often create other dangers we are unaware of. Designating critical habitat for wildlife can do just that. We want very much to protect what we perceive as a helpless animal or plant and are so focused on doing that, we don’t always look at the big and complete picture.

Why, oh why is it that as soon as I open my mouth and begin talking about making changes to such things as the Endangered Species Act or when I implore people to consider that large predators, like the wolf, need to be controlled, or even try to show people that voting for amendments to the Clean Water Act, I get accused of being opposed to conserving wildlife, protecting water, etc.? All of these things aren’t necessarily in the best interest of the animals, the water or the people when carried too far.

Designating critical wildlife habitat can become extremely complicated, can strip a landowner of his rights and in some cases the act ends up further hampering the protections of the animal. There is only so much that we as humans can do to conserve and protect our species as is practicable. Once we begin reaching beyond the sense and sensibilities of things, we tread on dangerous soil by placing economic growth and property rights below the protection of animal or plant species.

In Florida, the Conservancy of Southwestern Florida has filed a petition with the Obama administration seeking designation of critical habitat for the Florida panther. Hugh Hewitt at TownHall.com brings to our attention his perspective having served as an Endangered Species Act lawyer under the Reagan administration and still works as a lawyer representing ESA and Clean Water Act cases.

In the eight years of the Bush Administration, the environmental groups learned to play the Endangered Species Act like a violin, and one of their favorite tunes is the demand for “critical habitat,” a series of maps that, once promulgated, have the effect of greatly complicating the use of private property even if the species connected with the maps is nowhere near the property so designated. Because landowners rarely if ever get word of such designations or understand them when the occur, the property rights time bomb gets planted and starts ticking with very few people aware of the rule-making or its consequences.

Hewitt further states that if such a petition is successful, it will greatly “impair the property rights of landowners in the region without doing anything to enhance the survival of the panther.”

Once again, I’m interested in protecting the Florida Panther, in the same fashion I am the wolf, the Atlantic salmon and many other species. What I am opposed to is the lack of honesty that exists from groups and individuals working to protect these species. When you cannot be fully forthcoming to the landowners in explaining exactly what is at stake, we are left only to believe that this effort isn’t honest and probably not in the best interest of everyone except special interest.

We can’t just trample over people, their land and rights, with no or little regard for the existing economic outlook, to save an animal, especially when it is done dishonestly.

Tom Remington

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Success At Last For Florida Man

I guess this one means more to me than a lot of others, since I had a heart attack about three months ago, and was getting strength back slowly…At the start of the season, it was good that I didn’t get one, since I would have had to drive back to get help to get him out….But, I slowly and surely got back more strength each day until the day before I got this rascal, I told a friend that I finally felt like I had enough strength to go back in and haul one out! And the next day, I did! Even funnier, was the day before I got this fellow, I had taken my old 94 .30-30, and somehow when a buck came by, I couldn’t see my front sight….(it was overcast, and in deep woods…and the sight had a hood over it) So, even though I couldn’t see my front sight, I knew it was pointing right..and pulled the trigger..That’s when I heard the most sickening sound in the woods……..click!…Somehow when I thought I had levered a round in the chamber, I hadn’t…So, still thinking positive about it, I figured there must have been a good reason…maybe another, bigger deer on the way…and the next day, there was!

Posted by Tom Remington

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Florida NWTF Turkey Calling Championship

Scott Ellis, a contributing writer for U.S. Hunting Today and Skinny Moose Media, will be participating in the 2008 Florida National Wild Turkey Federation Turkey Calling Championships in Orlando, Florida next month. Scott is a 5-time winner of turkey calling events in Florida and will be joining others for this event.

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The Florida State Chapter & Bass Pro Shops is proud to announce: The 2008 Florida NWTF Turkey Calling Championship to be held at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World on International Drive in Orlando, Florida on the 16th of August, 2008.

Registration will be held from 10am to 11:30am with the contest starting at 1:00pm. Contest Scheduling will be posted at 12:00pm. There will be six (6) calling divisions in this years contest.

This will be a sanctioned contest and sanctioned rules will be enforced. You MUST be a current member of the NWTF and provide proof of membership.

Entry fees and prizes are listed below:

Southern Open – entry $50, 1st Place $1,000, 2nd Place $500, 3rd Place $250.
Florida Senior – entry $35, 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $125.
Friction Open – entry $35, 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $125.
Juniors – entry $10, Trophy for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place & Merchandise.
Owl Hooting – entry $35, 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $125.
Gobbling – entry $35, 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $125.

For questions please contact:

Scott A. Ford Turf64@comcast.net
Tom Andrews jandrewsacres@aol.com

Tom Remington

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