On Monday of this week I reported that eight states (Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio) were going to request grant monies available through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as Pittman-Robertson, in order to conduct studies on tree stand safety. The article I wrote generated some discussion and comments, one coming from reader MadJack.

Yes the P/R Act was to improve hunting & wildlife habitat, NOT to WASTE in an attempt to control hunters & how they hunt! I believe this would be a direct violation of the Pitman Robertson Act as well as very unlawful.

More Government waste!

While I tend to agree with MadJack, I wasn’t aware that revenues generated through PR were used via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fund programs for hunter safety and education. According to PR Act Title 16, Chapter 5B, section 669h, $8 million will be apportioned back to each state for certain hunter safety programs.

Of the revenues covered into the fund, $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002, and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be apportioned among the States in the manner specified in section 669c(c) \1\ of this title by the Secretary of the Interior and used to make grants to the States to be used for–

(A) in the case of a State that has not used all of the funds apportioned to the State under section 669c(c) \1\ of this title for the fiscal year in the manner described in section 669g(b) of this title–
(i) the enhancement of hunter education programs, hunter and sporting firearm safety programs, and hunter development programs;
(ii) the enhancement of interstate coordination and development of hunter education and shooting range programs;
(iii) the enhancement of bow hunter and archery education, safety, and development programs; and
(iv) the enhancement of construction or development of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges, and the updating of safety features of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges; and

(B) in the case of a State that has used all of the funds apportioned to the State under section 669c(c) \1\ of this title for the fiscal year in the manner described in section 669g(b) of this title, any use authorized by this chapter (including hunter safety programs and the construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges).

An act that was originally designed for the protection of wildlife and habitat, it has been amended many times in order that these funds can be used for other programs not directly related to it original purpose. As I understand the Act, monies are apportioned back to each state for the specific purposes described concerning hunter safety and education programs. If that money has been used up, USFWS grants additional monies collected via PR for further hunter education and safety programs.

Tom Remington

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It may not be exactly what the title describes, but it is quite and incredible story anyway - one that deserves a read.

And when you’re done with that story, check out the one of the guy who found two “locked” bucks that drowned in a lake. Combined dressed weight of the deer, 400 pounds.

Tom Remington

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We are at a point where it would be safe to say that this year’s outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is quite widespread. Here’s a list of states that have confirmed cases of the virus that is carried to deer by biting midges or no-see-ums: Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, Montana, Mississippi and Georgia. In addition, some states are waiting for test results to confirm what they already suspect - South Carolina is one such state.

To confirm the presence of the disease, blood and certain tissue has to be analyzed.

According to both the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Alabama Department of Conservation, dealing with EHD is quite routine. Charles Ruth, Deer/Turkey Project supervisor for the South Carolina DNR says flair-ups in that state seem to run in cycles of 3-5 years and there’s a reasonable explanation.

“This is probably related to the fact that once deer are exposed to the disease they are more resistant to it. Therefore, if you have disease one year the deer become exposed or inoculated to the disease and you do not see much disease activity until there is turnover in the deer population. After several years you are dealing with another cohort of deer and their systems are ‘naïve’ to the disease. The last time there was significant hemorrhagic disease activity in South Carolina was in 2002, therefore, disease activity could be relatively high this year.”

This theory is confirmed by a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“We have some cases every year,” said Keith Guyse, a whitetail specialist with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division in the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “In the Coastal Plain, the virus is there frequently enough that deer have been exposed to it and have some resistance to it.

Both representatives indicate that EHD in their respective states is pretty much routine only because of the build up of a certain degree of immunity. Therefore, these southern states don’t see wide outbreaks of the disease that often. When EHD hits the more northern climes, EHD seems to grab harder. Ruth explains.

Deer likely die in South Carolina each year from hemorrhagic disease, however, there is no indication that a major outbreak has occurred in the state since the mid 1970s. The disease is part of life for deer in the Southeast and fortunately it appears that Southern deer have acquired some immunity to the disease, said Ruth. Northern deer, on the other hand, are not exposed to the disease as frequently since the insect vector is not as common in cooler climates. For this reason, significant outbreaks and mortality from hemorrhagic disease are more likely in northern deer populations.

Guyse from Alabama makes reference to the same theory.

“Typically in North Alabama and above the fall line, they’re not exposed to it as often. So over a period of time you have a population that doesn’t have much resistance. When you have (outbreaks) up there, it tends to be more noticeable.”

This helps us understand why some states may have more severe outbreaks, killing larger numbers of deer, than others but why this year are outbreaks so widespread across the landscape of the country? Some have related it to the summer heat and drought. That may be true, I don’t know. It would be logical to assume that being that the virus is carried and spread by tiny midges or gnats, a larger than normal population of that insect would be directly proportional to the spread of the disease. Of course science isn’t that simplistic and we know that there are probably many more factors to consider or it could be just merely a coincidence.

However, Guyse from Alabama eludes to the theory of increased numbers of midges, somewhat.

“Auburn (researchers) had traps out to catch the flies and they might catch a few every once in a while, and then all of a sudden they catch hundreds,” Guyse said. “Much of that still is a mystery.”

Obviously, they don’t have a good handle on it either.

Hunters and others should be aware of the symptoms they may find on deer suffering from the disease.

Symptoms of hemorrhagic disease include poor physical condition, sloughing hooves, abrasions or sores on the brisket and legs, and ulcerations on the mouth, tongue, and rumen (stomach).

As I said earlier, verification of the disease has to be done in the lab.

If you see sick or dead deer in your travels, please report it to the appropriate authorities. It is highly recommended that nobody eats any of the meat from deer sickened by EHD.

Tom Remington

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As most hunters are aware, several states are experiencing outbreaks of EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease). To date, states involved are, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey and Montana. In those states, some are experiencing widespread outbreaks while others are sporadic. Either way, it appears that this year’s outbreak is one that could be classified as the most widespread in some years.

J.R. Absher, the Newshound, and I sent a couple emails back and forth this morning about what’s happening with EHD. In one of my emails, I asked J.R. if this was what he would consider a large outbreak from his years of experience in the field. What he told me was that in a previous article he mentioned that he had talked with a friend of his, Doug Markham, information officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, about this year’s outbreak.

My good friend Doug Markham, information officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, dropped me an email over the weekend saying it’s as bad as he’s ever seen it in his 20 years with the agency.

Some especially hard-hit areas of the Volunteer State could lose half their deer to EHD this year, Markham speculated.

One other thing that J.R. mentioned was that it seemed that the EHD outbreak was following a similar path as this summer’s drought. I’ll have to do some investigating to see if I can find out if that is a common occurrence.

In the meantime, we all need to be praying for some frost and freezes to kill this thing off.

Tom Remington

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We can now add Montana to the growing list of states confirming outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, EHD, or blue tongue. EHD is contracted by the bite of insects called “biting midges.” The virus usually kills the animals within five to 10 days. It is not spread by deer-to-deer contact and is rare in domestic cattle. States already having confirmed cases of EHD are: Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and New Jersey.

Montana officials have confirmed the presence of EHD in the southeastern part of the state.

So far “hundreds” of antelope and deer carcasses have been reported.

The heaviest concentration of the disease appears to be in the Melstone area east to Ingomar and Sumatra.

There really is not much that can be done about the disease. We just wait until the first good frost or freeze that will kill the midges that carry the virus.

In the meantime, troubles from dying deer in Pennsylvania are raising concerns about the possible contamination of drinking water supplies. In Beaver, Greene and Washington counties estimates are that over 1,000 deer carcasses are lying about rotting and stinking up the air. For some, there is concern that the decaying carcasses, many of which are lying in water, are contaminating the water supplies.

Russell Morgan is a Greene Township Supervisor and a farmer. He’s concerned about the water problems but is getting no help from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to get the carcasses cleaned up.

Already, Morgan said, he has confirmed 17 dead deer on and around his property. Township secretary Sandy Wright said one resident found 50 dead deer within a short distance of each other. Another resident reported finding 35 dead deer, Wright said.

Morgan said the game commission should at least help remove the remains from water sources. Instead, he was told removal of the deer is the responsibility of the homeowner,

“No one wants to take responsibility for what’s going on,” he said.

One of the side effects of the disease in deer causes the body temperature to rise, thus sending the deer to water to cool off. This is often where they expire.

Game Commission Supervisor Barry Zaffuto says it isn’t the responsibility of the PGC to take care of the dead animals and that the rotting deer are not contaminating the water.

“A deer is 100 percent natural,” he said. “This virus is not transferable, so it would be just like a deer that dies in the water naturally, because it does happen.”

The commission, he said, does not have the resources to search across a three-county area for deer and then remove them, especially when nature is taking care of that for them.

“That would just be totally impossible. What would we do with them?’ he said. “Deer decompose naturally and rapidly.”

Morgan isn’t buying Zaffuto’s explanation about deer being all natural and wouldn’t ruin the water. As a farmer, he is required by law to remove any of his livestock if it should dye in or near water. Under the watchful eye of the Department of Environmental Protection, he is made to clean up the carcass immediately because it will contaminate the water. Morgan wants to know what the difference is between a cow and a deer?

Morgan isn’t the only one concerned about the dying deer and how to clean up the mess. According to the PGC, it’s the landowners’ responsibility but this is angering citizens because of the double standards being exemplified in this video.

Tom Remington

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Epizootic hemorrhagic disease or blue tongue is affecting whitetail deer herds in several states now. On the list are Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and now New Jersey. There may be more.

Fred J. Aun of the Star-Ledger, in reporting about the discovery of the disease in New Jersey, describes EHD this way.

EHD is not uncommon and it’s not dangerous to humans. It is caused by the bite of certain midges and results in high fevers and hemorrhages in the mouths, noses and eyes of deer prior to death. Fish and Wildlife said deer usually expire within 10 days of getting EHD.

Vice President of Global Operations for Skinny Moose Media and U.S. Hunting Today, John Stabley, called Dr. Colleen O’Keefe, IDOA division manager of Food Safety and Animal Protection, in Illinois to ask her specific questions about the disease, its affect on deer and other animals as well as humans. You can read the entire interview at Stabley’s blog, Stabley Outdoors.

J.R. Absher, the Newshound, has been keeping his readers abreast of the locations and severity of the disease.

In the meantime, as we hunters head into the woods to do our scouting or for the start of any of hunting seasons, keep an eye open for the possibility of EHD being present in deer. If you encounter any cases you are encouraged to contact your fish and game department with the information.

Tom Remington

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Thanks to my good friend J.R. Absher, the “Newshound” at Outdoor Life for providing me the link I was looking for that confirms the presence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, also referred to as blue tongue, in the whitetail deer population.

Yesterday I reported that EHD had been confirmed in Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Today, Pennsylvania officials report 100 deer found dead in the southwestern part of the state was due also to EHD.

Here’s a bit more information about EHD from the Indiana DNR website.

The disease is transmitted by biting insects called midges. EHD is not transmitted to humans and is not normally found in domestic animals, which generally contract a related disease commonly called Blue Tongue instead.

EHD poses no danger to humans from handling, processing or eating the meat of an exposed animal. Hunters should take normal precautions handling all deer. As always, deer meat should be thoroughly cooked to kill any bacteria present.

This disease should not be confused with the unrelated brain disease in deer, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which has never been found in Indiana.

EHD causes severe, flulike symptoms, plus a high fever in deer, apparently causing those infected to seek open water to cool. Sick deer may lose their appetite, coordination and their fear of normal dangers. The animals become dehydrated and progressively weaker as the disease progresses, with mouth and eye tissue often showing a rosy or bluish color. A sick deer will be obvious to someone familiar with what a healthy deer looks like.

EHD is a common virus found in whitetail deer and will run its usual course until the first hard freeze, when insects that carry the disease will die off. It is not always fatal to the deer.

Tom Remington

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Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, also known as blue tongue is killing deer in parts of Eastern Tennessee as well as parts of Kentucky. I have also heard reports but haven’t been able to confirm yet that it is showing up in Southern Indiana. Officials say EHD has been confirmed in North Carolina, Virginia and Alabama.

The disease is carried by gnats or commonly called “no-seeums”. Once the deer is bitten and the virus spreads, it increases the body temperature of the deer often forcing them to water where they want to cool off. Deer do not always die from the disease. It is spread only by the bite of the gnats and cannot be spread from one deer to the next. Many deer survive the disease. Hunters can often tell if a deer has survived EHD by examining their hooves. If they find hooves broken at the ends or growing irregularly, it’s a pretty good indication the deer once suffered from EHD.

Although EHD is not contracted by humans, one biologist with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says that any animal that looks sick he recommends not eating it.

Tom Remington

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All across the country talk is increasing along with excitement as several hunting seasons are upon us. With this increased chatter, it’s easy to browse the Internet and find countless articles loaded with information concerning the upcoming seasons. Here’s a few I have selected for you.

In Minnesota, warnings are up for dog owners, including waterfowl hunting dogs, that a blue-green algae outbreak can kill your dog. With the low water levels and high air temperatures, it is prime breeding for the algae. Dog owners are cautioned.

Shannon Tompkins of the Houston Chronicle is saying that this year’s waterfowl season in Texas should be a good one.

In Skowhegan, Maine, the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation sponsored a free field day for kids. The events provided opportunities for the kids to shoot clay pigeons with shotguns, try their hand at a rifle or a BB gun as well as archery. It was a great event and is retold in an article in the Morning Sentinel by Colen Hickey.

In Pennsylvania, Ron Tussel of the Pocono Record, reminds bobcat hunters that the deadline for applying for a permit is nearing. He also has some great information about bobcats.

The first ever alligator hunt is scheduled to begin soon in Arkansas and all permit holders are required to take an orientation class.

The state of Washington is also gearing up for a great waterfowl season. Get the highlights from Mark Yuasa of the Seattle Times.

If you’re planning a dove hunting trip to Texas, Steve Knight of the Tyler Morning Telegraph tells readers, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dove Hunting“.

Alabama sets bag limits.

Indiana opens for squirrel hunting on Wednesday. Bill Scifries of the Chronicle-Tribune has an article on some of the changes hunters should be aware of for the upcoming seasons.

And for all dog owners preparing their canines for the fall hunting season, Kurt Mueller of the Sheboygan Press gives owners tips on getting your dog tuned up for the fall hunting season.

Let the games begin!

Tom Remington

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If hunters believe in their sport enough, they have to stop being passive about the efforts of anti-hunting groups that want to end it all. It is no laughing matter and one that should be taken dead serious. These groups have millions of dollars behind them and employ some of the most ruthless, unscrupulous, immoral people this world has to offer to do the dirty work.

We know they hide behind animal rights in their effort to find a way to ban all forms of recreation that involves animals, whether wild or domestic. They have tried frontal attacks through obvious means like citizen initiatives seeking outright stoppages, to more behind the back approaches like small little rule changes causing us to believe that giving some here will ward them off. Not going to happen.

However they choose their attack method, make no mistake about it, the lies and fear mongering is aimed at one thing and one thing only - ending hunting.

If they have to do this by quietly inserting one new law or stripping away an existing one, they will do it. For proof of such a thing, Don Mulligan of FW Dailynews.com presents an article that addresses two issues in Indiana. Both of these deal with law changes. What needs to be noted and something that Mulligan points out is that these issues reach far beyond just Indiana.

I encourage readers to go and read his article and in so doing, take notice of the approach and the subtleties used by groups and individuals to chip away at our hunting heritage. This is not common only to Indiana. It is happening everywhere in America and we have to start now speaking out against this atrocity, this stripping of our culture and our heritage by those who think God gave them the right to do so.

These groups and individuals have gone unchecked for far too long and by us sitting back being silent for the most part, has given them a free ticket to ride. It’s time to call in the ticket and kick the free loaders off the train.

Tom Remington

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Here we go again! Another emotionally prompted piece of legislation to ban shooting guns in a town or county. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Angela Mansfield says she hears gun shots near her home sometimes and therefore we should ban the shooting of guns anywhere in Marion County. Senseless. Do people like this ever think before they react? Actually, probably they do and that’s the reason there’s just no sense in anything anymore.

This whole story is eerily similar to a story that broke last summer in Montville, Connecticut. In that city a few over-emotional people couldn’t figure out how to stop one person from target shooting near a city park. Believing they didn’t have the resources, which I think was a crock, the mayor agreed to a city ordinance there banning the discharging of any guns. They also tossed in things like water pistols and while they were at it, decided that they didn’t want anymore indoor or outdoor shooting ranges anywhere in their town, so they added those for good measure.

The problem was, the mayor and those who thought the ordinance was good, including the police department who claimed there was nothing they could do legally to stop a person target shooting near people with no safety measures in place, didn’t count on the people storming the city hall in protest.

On the night of the hearing, there were so many people who showed up to protest the ordinance, they had to postpone the meeting until they could find a bigger venue. A bigger venue wasn’t necessary as the mayor decided that with so many citizens against this ban, he might as well drop the ordinance.

This is what the fine folks of Marion County, Indiana need to do. Step up and protest such asinine behavior and send a clear message that ordinances like this one which would prohibit someone from defending themselves, need to be stopped.

Tom Remington

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What? No, I’m not kidding. This is all I read and hear about these days. I read newspaper accounts and hear from hunters everywhere that they are running into out-of-the-way, home made methamphetamine labs. Meth, for short, is a highly addictive drug that is usually made on home concocted apparatus. Because of police trying to crackdown on the manufacture, use and sale of it, makers have moved operations into the woods so they won’t so easily be found. Because of this, hunters roaming the woods during hunting season are finding them.

It has gotten so bad that states like South Dakota have issued warnings in their Hunting Handbook(pdf.file) about what to do if you come upon a meth lab.

Because of the illegal nature of their activity and the extreme paranoia these ‘cooks’ may be experiencing, approaching them in camouflage clothing and carrying a firearm can be a recipe for disaster.

The Handbook goes on to explain what to do if you come across a user, also known as a “tweaker”.

Keep your distance. Coming too close can be perceived as threatening.

􀂄 No bright lights. The tweaker is paranoid and bright lights may cause them to react violently.
􀂄 Slow your speech, lower your voice.
􀂄 Slow your movements. The tweaker may be paranoid and may misunderstand your actions.
􀂄 Keep your hands visible, or they may feel threatened and become violent.
􀂄 Keep the tweaker talking. A tweaker who falls silent can be extremely dangerous. Silence often means that his paranoid thoughts have taken over reality, and anyone present can become part of the tweaker’s paranoid delusions.

USA Today has a story today about the widespread problems of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts coming upon meth users and labs in the woods. The article states that some hunting organizations are actually spending their money to warn hunters.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association sponsors public-service announcements on radio stations each fall to warn hunters to be on the lookout for meth labs. “How can people abuse our natural resources like this?” asks Mark Johnson, the group’s executive director.

Lt. Carl Lamb of the Seymour, Ind., police department has conducted seminars for hundreds of area hunters and farmers. After the training sessions, he says, “They recognize what to look for and know not to mess with it.”

Larry Dale, a hunter and hunting safety instructor in Petersburg, Ill., says hunters can be “useful eyes and ears” for law enforcement when they know how to identify meth-related equipment. The drug and its makers, he says, are “a general menace to society.”

What has become of our society? Is this it? Is this what we have to look forward to? I can see it now as I sit down with my now 5-year old grandson when it’s time to take him into the woods for a hike, or to fish or to hunt. I’ll not only have to begin telling him of the respect we as outdoor users need to have toward nature, wildlife and the land and landowners but now I must warn them that their life might be in danger because some sorry loser is out in the woods cooking up meth.

The warning issued in the South Dakota Hunting Handbook also tells those who come across a meth lab, not to touch anything.

Most of these chemicals are hazardous by themselves, but when mixed in the cooking process and disposed of they become toxic waste, which is harmful to humans, animals and the environment. These mixtures are also highly flammable and even explosive. Manufacturing of one pound of Meth produces 5-6 pounds of hazardous waste. These chemicals can cause severe health problems, even death if handled improperly. Exposure may cause respiratory problems, skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness. If you believe you inadvertently came into contact with a lab or dumpsite and experience any of these symptoms, first seek immediate health care

This is a sad commentary on what has become of people in this country that they have to resort to such self-destructive behavior. Maybe if these people had grown up with their dads or moms taking them out hunting and fishing and just enjoying the outdoors, they wouldn’t be doing what they are today.

With this many toxins now being dumped in the woods, think of the number of animals that are probably dying from this. Where are the so-called animal rights activists? Maybe if they spent their time and money on important projects like this and began viewing hunters as not the enemy, their work would be better recognized and appreciated.

Tom Remington

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Kyle Hupfer, head of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, signed a temporary ruling issued by Governor Mitch Daniels, that now permits lawfully licensed concealed carry permit holders to carry their guns in state parks and wildlife areas.

The NWI Times has all the details.

Tom Remngton

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Most people were led to believe that canned hunting was abolished in the state of Indiana. It appears that this may be extended for another decade. The director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is now saying a compromise deal may be in the works to allow those so-called game preserves to continue operating for another ten years, at which time they must cease and desist.

This canned hunting issue has spread like a bad disease across the country and states have rushed to outlaw the practice, without much though for the future I might add. I believe that the majority of laws passed to ban hunting in preserves is only a knee-jerk reaction to a few screaming people opposed to something they know little about.

In Indiana, this story has festered for a long time. If you follow this link, this story contains what was thought to have been a resolve of the issue and it will give you a long list of previous posts about the subject.

Whether you agree or disagree that hunting preserves are right or wrong isn’t all that is involved in this matter, at least not in Indiana. Game ranches began springing up in Indiana because there were no laws prohibiting them and consequently no rules governing them either. Those opening up the ranches were led to believe they had a right to do so.

In response to reported animal abuses, the IDNR then moved quickly to pass a law saying game preserves were illegal and no more could be opened and those that were had to close immediately.

I’m glad we live in a free enterprise country. I would suppose that if we were to close down all game ranches we should also close down all private fishing ponds. This practice takes fish grown in tanks and dumps them into enclosed areas so sportsmen can fish them out. Is there much of a difference?

Some of you are going to think I’ve lost my mind and perhaps I have but hear me out before you crucify me. I’m not a proponent of hunting in certain enclosed ranches. It appears quite clearly that there was some real abuse that was going on with some of these game preserves in Indiana. This is wrong and cannot be tolerated.

If one manufacturer makes a bad product do we make all makers of that product shut down? I wouldn’t think so. If it is a matter of public safety, laws are put in place to ensure that anyone wishing to produce that product abides by certain guidelines. This is what should have been done in Indiana’s case and all across this nation.

This will come back and haunt us in the future. Banning all “canned hunts” as the opponents choose to call them is wrong. For any hunter to say that it is wrong to persue game in an enclosed area is making a broad sweeping statement that cannot be substantiated with facts.

I have hunted for decades. I hunt many of the same areas year after year. One area I go to every year for opening week of deer season, constitutes an area of a few hundred acres, perhaps as high as a thousand acres or more. It is heavily wooded mostly with several places of new and older clear-cuts. There are many old and new logging roads as well. I know there are many deer, bear, coyote, moose and an entire array of wildlife that inhabits these woods. I know this because I see the signs of their existence. During that week of hunting, often I never see any of these animals.

Drugging an animal and tying it to a stake so someone can shoot it, is not only wrong but anyone who would do this is mentally disturbed. Putting 100 game animals into a 30-acre piece of land is far from what I would consider to be ethical hunting.

There are obviously individual perceptions of what is and isn’t considered an ethical, fair-chase hunt. If guidelines are put together in a sensible manner, a game preserve can and does provide some of the most challenging hunting a hunter could find anywhere.

In Idaho, a former professional sports figure is trying to open a hunting preserve. Officials went into parts of his 1100 acre preserve to drive deer out before he enclosed it completely. After many attempts, many of the deer still remained in the area because they could escape.

The bottom line here is that I believe a hunting preserve can be regulated that would meet strict standards for eithical hunting and still provide the business person an opportunity to turn a profit. I also believe many of these preserves would provide a more ethical opportunity than what many hunters are now facing in their favorite hunting spot.

Before this can be done, we need to determine what is ethical hunting. Many questions remain unanswered when it comes to hunting. We have covered one question. Is hunting in a