The “New Fascism” At Work In North Carolina

Snow storms dumped ample amounts of the white stuff on parts of the mid-Atlantic states over the weekend. Unfortunately, some town’s leaders either have never heard of a U.S. Constitution or Bill of Rights or somehow they think, like what happened in New Orleans, that just because the town declared an emergency, all of a sudden people give up their God-given and constitutional rights.

Other restrictions include a ban on the sale or purchase of any type of firearm, ammunition, explosive or any possession of such items off a person’s own premises.

I guess they thought they were doing everyone a favor ALLOWING them to possess a gun on their own property. Uh, uh, uh! This cannot be allowed.

Tom Remington

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N.Carolina State And Tarheel Open Calling Contest Results

Scott Ellis, contributing writer for U.S. Hunting Today, is a regular competitor in many game calling contests. He recently competed in the North Carolina State and Tarheel Open Calling Contest. Here are the results:

NC State

1st Mitchell Johnston(Woodhaven Custom Calls)
2nd Jeff Sipes
3rd Jon Miller

NC Tar Heel Open

1st Scott Ellis(Woodhaven Custom Calls)
2nd Joe Drake
3rd Mark Prudhome

Tar Heel Open Friction

1st Mike Pentecost(Woodhaven Custom Calls)
2nd Scott Ellis(Woodhaven Custom Calls)
3rd Joe Drake

Owling

1st Scott Holcomb
2nd Mitchell Johnston(Woodhaven Custom Calls)
3rd Mark Prudhome

Gobbling

1st Mark Prudhomme
2nd Scott Ellis(Woodhaven Custom Calls)
3rd Mike Pentecost(Woodhaven Custom Calls)

Tom Remington

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Dead Campus Bear Not Politically Or Racially Motivated

It appears the outcome of the dead black bear incident over the weekend at Western Carolina University isn’t going to satisfy the thousands of hate filled people who, without any evidence to support claims, laid the blame for this on McCain supporters.

Yesterday, I briefly informed readers of the incident, called it despicable and said, “Sensible people will know that such an act could have been perpetrated by almost anyone” Throughout the day, I was actually shocked to read the absolutely disgusting, vitriolic hate speech and accusations unsubstantiated with facts or evidenced that appeared across the Web!

According to Western Carolina University police, after interviewing seven students involved in the episode, they have determined that the whole thing was merely a stupid prank.

He said according to the interviews that have been conducted so far, some students camping in a forested area off campus stumbled across the body of the bear while searching for firewood late Saturday night, Oct. 18.

The students said that they put the bear in the back of a pick-up truck and continued their camping trip.

The students told police that they went to a social get-together at The Summit, an off-campus residential complex, on Sunday night, Oct. 19, with the bear in the back of the truck. At that gathering, they decided along with other students to place the carcass near the main entrance of campus.

They said while they were taking the bear to the campus, they took random political signs and put them on the bear’s head to try to prevent blood from getting on the truck bed.

Johnson said that the incident was(not) politically or racially motivated, but was just a prank..

An investigation continues to determine if charges should be filed.

After reading what I read on blogs across the Web yesterday, this explanation will not satisfy any of the blood thirsty left, blinded by hatred toward McCain and Palin. But until such time as authorities conclude something different, I’ll accept their explanation and hope I won’t be attacked by some left-wing crazed idiot.

Tom Remington

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Dead Bear Dumped At W. Carolina University

In what could be described in many ways, the act of dumping a dead black bear cub on the steps of Western Carolina University, is despicable to say the least. The bear, weighing an estimated 40 pounds, was also adorned with Obama campaign signs.

Sensible people will know that such an act could have been perpetrated by almost anyone but the act in itself is done in order to incite an entire host of bad feelings, something the present campaign doesn’t really need right now.

Authorities are investigating in order to find out who is responsible for such a ridiculous act.

Tom Remington

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Florida Boy Was “Stalked As Prey”

Last week I reported that an 8-year old boy from Florida had been attacked by a black bear in the Smoky Mountain National Forest. His father had to fight the bear off, both suffering from cuts and bruises but fortunately no serious physical injuries occurred.

In my report last week I also made mention that another report made the repeated claim that bear attacks are rare. Well, here’s something even rarer. It appears that park officials are stating that the 8-year old, Evan Pala, was stocked as prey by the bear.

The black bear that attacked an 8-year-old Florida boy in Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week “stalked the boy as prey,” park officials said Monday.

Most people also don’t know that in the past 10 years, bears in Smoky Mountain National Park have injured people 8 times, killing one.

A lot of people visit that park but people need to be made aware that provoked or not, bears are there and they can and will meet with your acquaintance. Be prepared.

Tom Remington

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Another Bear Attacks Boy, Another “Attacks Are Uncommon”

Here we go once again. An 8-year old boy was playing by the stream in Great Smoky Mountain National Park when he was attacked by a young black bear. His father chased the bear away but not after both sustained non life-threatening injuries.

And in response, as is typical, park officials said, “an attack like this is very uncommon”.

Tom Remington

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Animal Protection Institute May Be Behind Terrorist Act

Dan, a.k.a. Moose, at Moose Droppings, is reporting that two deadly cobra snakes may have been released somewhere in Onslow County, North Carolina. It seems the group is trying to push legislation to ban ownership of exotic animals and authorities suspect members of this group released the snakes to create a scare and influence public opinion.

Moose is calling it an act of terrorism and I think I agree.

Tom Remington

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What Are They Talking About? Predators Have No Effect On Elk Populations!

This can’t be true! If you read or listen to what the lovers of predators have to say, these scavenging, murdering animals we call predators have no real affect on wild ungulate herds, other than what they believe to be selective harvesting of the weak and disabled and making the preyed upon become “more wild”. This is where we would insert the Disney theme song of “When you wish upon a star. Makes no difference who you are.” La, la, la, la…….

Okay, so I’m feeling a bit nasty and cynical this morning. And with that I’m taking a story and making an attempt to spin it into something bigger and more controversial than it really is but I do have a point to make.

The Charlotte Observer is reporting that finally the experimental elk herd in the Smoky Mountain National forest, near the Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina, is showing growth – something it hasn’t done since the elk were brought to this area back in 2001. At that time 52 elk were dropped off and the population has never really changed up until park authorities decided to capture about 10 bears and move them out of the area. Since that time, the number of elk has increased to around 86 and the bull to cow ratio has also changed significantly which should increase the chances of more cows giving birth to young elk.

The article clearly states that the reason for the growth is because most of the bears with a discerning appetite for baby elk have been moved.

What helped turn the static population around was the removal of black bears that were preying on the new-born calves, park spokesman Bob Miller said last week. As a result, calf survival rose in 2006 and 2007, lifting the 2005 population of 54 animals to at least 86.

So, there you have it. Proof that bears kill elk and have a negative effect on the herd. Ok, so it’s not quite that simple. Well, at least I’m willing to admit it.

I suppose I should also point out that park personnel indicated that the cow elk are learning to adapt to the habits of the predators.

In addition, Miller said, adult cows are getting smarter about coping with bears, moving away from locations bears frequent to more remote places to give birth in June and July.

It might be just as accurate to say that the adult cow elk are better adapting to their own habitat and learning where better calving areas would be. Let’s also not forget that the bear aren’t stupid. When they get hungry enough, they will also adapt and find the elk.

The point to all of this is that predators do have an impact on elk, moose and deer as examples. In this case when the elk were introduced, the numbers weren’t great enough to sustain and grow over the number of bears in the park. With man removed from the predator list within the park, the bear is top of the chain. Once the bear numbers were reduced, the elk have shown signs of growing in numbers. This is a clear indication, I would think, that management is necessary in order that to have a sustainable herd of elk, deer and moose, you have to make sure that the number of predators doesn’t get out of control.

Man has been the top dog in the food chain since the beginning of time and is still a necessary part in the balance of things. We have too many who think that man needs to be taken out of that chain and let Mother Nature take care of things. They fail to want to believe that man eating beast is part of Mother Nature’s plan. They also have lost sight of the fact that man has a right to protect themselves and their property.

I have no problem with predators. I do have a problem with allowing predators to grow unchecked while destroying game animals and private property. We have examples of this all around us and now some communities are scrambling around trying to figure out how to deal with it.

In other areas we have caring and concerned groups and individuals trying to find ways of increasing habitat for such animals as deer, moose and elk and at the same time demanding that predators be allowed to grow unchecked. It’s not an original statement to say that a habitat program is a waste of time without one that includes predator control.

With all of this said, I wonder what the future looks like for Great Smoky Mountain National Park? Time and money was spent in order to move the predator bears away from the elk herd. Officials say the bears returned but not until after the young elk had gotten bigger and better able to fend for themselves.

If the elk herd continues to grow, which is the intent of the park authorities, will it become a problem? Will there one day be too many elk? Too many bear? How long before more predator lovers will be insisting, like in Colorado, that the park will need to have wolves to make it “more natural”?

Only a matter of time.

Tom Remington

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More Cops To Kill Deer

The trend is ongoing across America – too many deer in towns and cities everywhere. And the debate is what to do about it. So far city officials have tried just about everything including hiring sharpshooters and bow hunters. Earlier this month, I reported about one town in North Carolina that had resorted to using its police force to cull deer herds and questioned the practice. Now the city of Helena, Montana is considering the same thing.

According to KTVQ, Montana’s News Station, because the deer pose a public safety risk, officials feel justified in using the police department. The city manager claims the police are equipped with the right training.

City Manager Tim Burton says police not only have the training but also a command structure that would be important in carrying out a safe operation.

The city has indicated it wants to kill 50 mule deer and the city manager indicates how that might be done.

He says city officials are interested in using nets to confine animals, which then would be shot on public lands in town.

Is this necessary? I wonder if hunters got together and tried working with city officials everywhere to come up with an acceptable plan in which properly trained volunteer hunters could be used, if this would be a better way to deal with this issue? This isn’t an isolated problem. It’s everywhere.

Are there enough interested hunters who would be willing to do what’s necessary to meet an established set of training criteria so they could work closely with state wildlife and city officials and get this job done? Many hunters would enjoy the meat and it would certainly save lots of money while accomplishing the task at hand.

Tom Remington

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Cops Culling Deer Herds

Is this right? South Smithfield, North Carolina is using their police force to cull deer in the town that are chewing up people’s landscape. Town Manager Pete Connet says he didn’t want “every Tom, Dick and Harry out there,” so he said he erred on the side of caution and told his police department to go get the job done.

The chief of police there says the operation is only costing the town $3,000 and that if the town hired professional sharpshooters to do the job, it would have been $100 per deer killed. What about hunters? Oh, yeah! I guess those must be the “every Tom, Dick and Harry”.

But isn’t it nice. Each cop assigned to kill the deer get to keep one deer each and the rest get passed on to feed the hungry.

Tom Remington

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EHD A Bit “Ho-Hum” In The Deep South

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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EHD Outbreak Widespread And Following Drought

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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Further Spreading Of EHD And Troubles With Water Contamination In Pennsylvania

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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EHD Or Blue Tongue Showing Up In More States

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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EHD Found in Indiana And Pennsylvania

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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