Don’t forget, today at 3 p.m. is another brand new broadcast of Open Air With Tom Remington. Today’s show is varied and entertaining. Topics include updates on what’s new and happening at the Black Bear Blog, Skinny Moose Media and our hunting magazine websites. I’ll also reveal some ridiculous studies on what’s causing global warming, too many wild pigs in Louisiana and an update on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear the D.C. gun ban case.

I think you’ll find the show enjoyable and entertaining, so if you can join us at 3 p.m. today. As is normal, once the show airs, you can visit Skinny Moose Radio and listen to or download this and all other previous broadcasts.

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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Even though hunting seasons of some species are still going on, several of them are winding down or have come to a close for another year. John Davis of Nutria News, gives us his wrap-up of the seasons.

Tom Remington

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Actually, now that I got your attention, John at Nurtria News down in the heart of Dixie in Louisiana, has a whole list of items he carries or has at easy disposal when he goes hunting. Check it out. If you got something you would like to add to the “poor man’s stew”, leave him a comment. Everyone has their preferences.

Tom Remington

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What does expanding hunting opportunities in the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana have to do with hunting opportunities in wildlife refuges in New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania or California? Beats me but that’s what a judge has ruled in a lawsuit filed against the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

The lawsuit filed by Fund for Animals, a division of the Humane Society of the United States, claims the USFWS violated the National Environmental Policy Act because they didn’t adequately study the cumulative national impact on wildlife and other refuge visitors besides hunters. In other words, the USFWS can’t expand hunting opportunities in the Upper Ouachita or any other refuge because it might affect a mockingbird singing in a forest someplace in Florida or Betty Birdwatcher in North Dakota.

The timing of the lawsuit is nothing more than a tactic by the Fund for Animals and HSUS to prevent hunting this year in this wildlife refuge and two others in Louisiana. It is both these organization’s goals to end hunting everywhere, even though in this particular lawsuit they say differently.

“The decision isn’t about hunting versus no hunting. It’s about whether you’re looking at the environmental impact of hunting,” Lovvorn said. “I think we have concerns about hunting on refuges because of the lack of environmental review.”

Oh, okay! And if any of you believe this, I have a bridge for sale in New York - cheap!

Unfortunately for those hunters hoping to be able to find some more hunting opportunities in Louisiana, it appears this lawsuit will tie things up for this season. The USFWS plans to satisfy the courts so as to provide hunting in these areas. The USFWS fully understands that hunting is a valuable and integral part of wildlife management and they intend to use it.

Tom Remington

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A survey was sent out to 6,000 duck hunters in Louisiana. 53% of those who responded said they prefered the state to remain divided into two hunting zones - east and west. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced recently that it will maintain two zones at least through 2010.

Tom Remington

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Some new deer hunting regulations will go into effect this next season for Louisiana deer hunters. Here’s a brief rundown of the changes.

New this year, hunters will have to carry with them at all times when hunting, a tag harvest card. Hunters will need to write down information about every deer they take. At the end of the season, whether the card is blank or full, it must be returned to wildlife officials.

Another change is the number and species of deer that can be taken. The total limit is six deer but no more than three bucks and three does.

Louisiana is one state that is following in the footsteps of other states to use some kind of tagging process to better collect data to help in deer management.

Tom Remington

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During the crisis of hurricane Katrina, New Orleans police began a near systematic attempt to confiscate all firearms from all people. It is debatable but some say Louisiana law allows authorities to do this in a time of crisis. What is appalling is that one of the reasons our founding fathers created the 2nd Amendment was so the citizens could protect themselves during a time of crisis.

Senate Bill 93, founded by Sen. Joe McPherson, (D) Woodworth, would prohibit that from happening. The bill cleared the Senate in a 39-0 vote. The bill would not prohibit police from confiscating illegal firearms and those held illegally by convicted felons. It is designed to protect the rights of lawful citizens.

The bill will now go before the House for debate.

Tom Remington

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Hunters gathered in Opelousas, Louisiana on Tuesday night to voice their opinions and ask questions regarding changes to hunting rules for 2006-2008. The two big items up for discussion were a proposal to ban hunting deer with dogs on public lands and the change to allow hunters to take 3 bucks and 3 does per season. About 100 hunters showed.

A deer/dog task force was formed to study the issue of hunting deer with dog, a long time tradition in Louisiana. Their job was to gather information and make recommendations to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries board. At issue is the problem of dogs running loose on private lands and the controversy of  “still hunters” not wanting dog hunters running deer.

The recommendation for the task force is to stop hunting with dogs on public lands and of course dog hunters are opposed to it.

The other issue which doesn’t seem nearly as controversial, is the bag limits being recommended for next season - 3 bucks and 3 does. I am not a hunter from Louisiana so therefore I am not accustomed to their ways and past traditions of hunting but I find comments made by some in attendance Tuesday to be comical from my perspective. Try to understand this if you can.

I was born and raised in Maine. I learned to hunt from day one and from day one, hunters essentially have been able to harvest one deer per season - no dogs, ever. In the seventies, in an effort to bolster the deer herd, officials instituted a “bucks only” law. Any deer permits could be applied for and a prescribed number where issued through lottery but you were still only allowed one deer per season.

Louisiana is going to be allowed 3 bucks and 3 does per hunter per season and they don’t have an official tagging system the way Maine does. They are working on one and hope to have it in place by 2008.

With tongue in cheek, I sympathize with the poor Louisiana hunter being forced to have to take only 3 bucks and 3 does. (Insert smiley here). My jest isn’t to ridicule or make fun of Louisiana hunters, it is only to point out that it is all a matter of what we grow up with and become accustomed to.

Here’s an example of a comment that was made at the meeting.

“We pride ourselves in our deer hunting, and we (members) were allowed to kill six bucks a year,”

Six bucks a year! Holy cow! I wonder what that would be like. This comment was followed by another that I found amusing as well.

“We applaud the board for the way the regulations were carried out in the past, but how are we to continue to keep members if we can only kill three bucks?”

The speaker was making reference to keeping members to their hunting club. For those who may not be familiar, in many states the only land available to hunt on, with the exception of a few parcels of public lands, is private land. Often these private lands are leased to hunting clubs, sometimes at exhorbitant prices. To join a club, in order to hunt on that land, can cost hunters big bucks (dollars). In this case, the hunter making the comment was referring to perhaps having a difficult time finding enough members willing to cough up the money because now hunters would only be able to take 3 bucks and 3 does instead of 6 bucks.

It’s all what you are used to.

No official decisions have been made and will not until the May 4 meeting of the LDWF board. There are other public meeting scheduled.

The link below, a previous post about this topic, will direct you to a web site that lists dates and times of next public meetings.

Previous Posts

Debate Will Rage At Louisiana Game Commission Meeting

Tom Remington

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On March 14, 2006 at Yambilee Center in Opelousas, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will conduct a public hearing to receive comments about changes to next season’s deer hunting regulations.

One change that has been approved is the bag limit of 3 bucks and 3 does. Nobody seems objectionable to that but what is causing a raucous is the proposal to ban deer hunting with dogs on state owned lands.

Deer hunting with dogs goes back many years in Louisiana but what is bringing controversy to this is, as always, the few who spoil it for everyone. It is difficult to control dogs during a hunt. Dogs can’t decipher property lines and often end up on private property or running through the middle of food crops for deer. Some land owners and hunters want to see something done to change this. At the same time, dog hunters who have done this for years without any issues, want to be able to continue.

You can attend this meeting and voice your concerns or by the following:

At the commission’s meetings April 6 and May 4 in Baton Rouge.

Written comments will be accepted until May 4, mail your comments to:

David Moreland, Administrator, Wildlife Division, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898

There are other public meetings scheduled throughout the state. You can get information on those by visiting the LDWF web site.

Tom Remington

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Shortly after hurricane Katrina nailed the Gulf Coast and in particular Mississippi and Louisiana, police in the city of New Orleans traveled about the city illegally confiscating guns from law abiding citizens. It was deemed an outrage as well as putting many people at serious risk because they lost their only means of self defense from thugs and looters.

The NRA went to work through the courts to get this actions stopped. The courts agreed and ordered the city to stop taking guns away from these people and to return the guns to their rightful owners.

This has not happened and so once again, the NRA along with the Second Amendment Foundation, has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Hagin and New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley.

Alan Gottlieb, founder of SAF, said that the lawsuit was initiated only after all attempts through legal channels have failed to get Nagin and Riley to act. He said the city of New Orleans will only say that no guns were illegally confiscated but attorneys for the NRA and SAF have documented proof that this is not so. Gottlieb wants to have Nagin and Riley appear before a public court and explain why they should not be held in contempt of the court.

Tom Remington

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