Central Florida Public Lands Osceola Turkey Hunt With Scott Ellis

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The Second Seminole Indian War Reinactment – Fort Foster, Florida

Fort Foster was constructed by 1837 by Colonel William S. Foster and his troops. After the initial construction, Foster left behind a small contingent of about 70 men, along with volunteers, whose job it was to finish building the fort and garrison it.

The fort was built along what was called the Fort King Military Road, originating at Fort Brooke on Tampa Bay and ending at Fort King near what is now Ocala. To the south, the Fort King Military Road followed near the Hillsborough River and at the site of Fort Foster, a bridge was built over the river.

On February 2, 1837, the Seminole Indians attacked the fort and attempted to burn down the bridge, hoping to disrupt the supply route from Fort Brooke to Fort King.

Andrew Jackson wanted to crush the Seminole Indians as part of his desire to claim Florida as United States territory. The First Seminole War did not go as Jackson has planned. After becoming President (1829-1837), Jackson decided the best thing to do with all Indians east of the Mississippi was to round them up and intern them to reservations mostly in Oklahoma.

According to the Treaty of Paynes Landing in 1832, the Seminoles had 36 months to migrate out of Florida and settle out West. That didn’t go exceptionally well for Jackson either. By 1834 less than 4,000 Seminoles had moved and the majority remained behind under their leader Chief Osceola.

In December of 1835, Chief Osceola murdered Indian agent Wiley Thompson and Osceola’s warriors, numbering about 300, ambushed Major Francis Dade and his troops, setting off the Second Seminole War.

With U.S. troops in the field, Fort Foster became an important outpost in order to keep the bridge in tact so as not to disrupt the supply lines open to the north. Eventually Osceola and his warriors headed into the Everglades fighting the U.S. Army using more guerilla-like tactics but ultimately the majority of the Seminoles surrendered and moved to Oklahoma. Some Seminoles remained in the swamps being led by Billy Bowlegs and yes, a Third Seminole War would eventually break out.

Below are some photographs of the recent reenactment that took place at Fort Foster. All photos were taken by Milt Inman.

Milt Inman Photo

Milt Inman Photo

Milt Inman Photo

Milt Inman Photo

Milt Inman Photo

Milt Inman Photo

Tom Remington

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Twenty-Five States Seek “Nullification” Of Federal Gun Control Laws

As of this writing, five states, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota, have passed laws through their legislature effectively nullifying the Federal Government’s authority to regulated guns and gun accessories. Two states, Montana and Tennessee, their laws most commonly called Firearms Freedom Acts, have been signed by their governors. The other three are expected to follow suit. In addition to those five states, at least twenty more have introduced similar legislation and another half dozen intend to introduce it. By years end, there could feasibly be well over 30 states making an attempt to tell the Federal Government to butt out of their intrastate gun and gun accessory manufacturing.

The model for most of these bills came from Montana’s Firearms Freedom Act, a bill that basically states that any gun or gun accessory manufactured in Montana that is purchased and remains in Montana, cannot be regulated by the Federal Government of the United States. Montana is seeking “Declaratory Judgment” before suggesting that anyone proceed with the manufacturing of guns and accessories.

In reality what these Firearms Freedom Acts are doing is “nullifying” the authority of the Federal Government to regulate guns within the borders of each state when none of the guns or related products ever leave the state. The Federal Government has been very successful in the past in regulating all guns through the “Commerce Clause” of the Constitution. Montana’s bone of contention is that the Commerce Clause has regulated interstate commerce and has no authority over intrastate commerce.

One might ask if this is a full blown act of nullification. It’s not that Montana and other states are saying that any or a specific federal law is being declared unconstitutional in it’s entirety. In this case any law that the Federal Government thinks gives them authority to regulate intrastate gun manufacturing, is being challenged.

Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association and one of the sponsors of the MFFA, says this is a states’ rights issue.

This is a states’ rights effort, using firearms as the object of the exercise. The MFFA exempts Montana-made and retained firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition from federal power, saying that if these items do not cross state lines, they are strictly INTRAstate commerce, not INTERstate commerce, and not subject to federal authority.

Although nullification isn’t a term that is widely used these days, there are other examples of modern day nullification or challenges to certain federal laws. Two that come to mind are the REAL ID Act and marijuana laws. Some states have passed legislation challenging the constitutionality of forcing citizens to have to carry an identification card they believe infringes on their right to privacy and the Constitution. And, some states have passed their own laws authorizing marijuana for medical use where the Federal Government bans all uses and possession of the drug.

We may also be staring down the barrel of nullification depending on what happens with President Obama’s proposed National Health Care plan. If it is mandated that every American citizen have health insurance, many have asked where in the Constitution does the Federal Government have that kind of authority.

Probably the most recent case that expanded the power of the Federal Government to regulate commerce, came in 1942 in the Wickard v. Filburn case. This came at a time when President Roosevelt demanded the power to institute his programs he thought where going to get us on the road to recovery after the Depression. Scary isn’t it.

One of the more notable accounts of nullification was in 1832 in South Carolina. South Carolina’s “Ordinance of Nullification” declared the Tariff of 1828 and Tariff of 1832 unconstitutional. This put President Andrew Jackson in quite the predicament. While Jackson quietly assembled his army, ready to invade South Carolina, negotiations continued. Jackson’s fear was that if South Carolina were to be allowed nullification, many of the southern states would follow suit. Also many of the New England states apposed the tariffs. Jackson feared that secession would follow the nullification and this would lead to the demise of the Union. He also feared that an invasion of South Carolina could just as easily lead to civil war.

Other than President Jackson’s fear of the trouble in South Carolina, his bigger deterrent was coming from the fact that several other states, although never officially declaring nullification, were poised to do so.

Perhaps it is telling that so many states are seeking some form of nullification, some dealing with REAL ID, others medical marijuana and 25 states or more, opting to use gun rights as their tools to seek out a return of more state sovereignty, as is granted us in the Tenth Amendment. What does it tell us that so many states chose gun rights as their tool? And what does it tell us about the people’s attitudes toward the expansion of government.

Where will this go? First we should wait to see what the Court rules in the Montana Firearms Freedom Act case and watch to see how many other states pass and get signed their “nullification” bills. Soon, then, we can declare, “Balls in your court!

Tom Remington

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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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