This is something you don’t see every day. Illinois is getting a bit wild these past few years! First we have the cougar that wandered into Chicago(which authorities completely mishandled) and now we have a golden eagle hunting deer at the tiny 2800 acre Nachusa Grasslands. These pictures are amazing:
February, 2010
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Golden eagle tries to take out deer in Illinois!
Friday, February 19th, 2010Mountain stream, Gallatin National Forest
Friday, February 19th, 2010
This beautiful mountain river is capable of taking down entire trees during spring snow melt. Pictured here in the fall, it is relatively calm. Many people flock to the beautiful national forests of Montana to see scenes like this. Any of these national forests would be the most popular park in the country if they were east of the Mississippi.
Tester “wilderness” bill causes deep divide among wilderness advocates
Thursday, February 18th, 2010Lots of people are jumping ship as they realize the dangerous precedent this bill sets for national forests.
You can view the story over at Ralph Maughan’s Wildlife Blog.
Montana: Snowmobilers cited for entering wilderness
Thursday, February 18th, 2010This took place near in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness near Gardiner.
Alaska: Industry loses logging lawsuit
Thursday, February 18th, 2010The plan would have allowed more logging(and this road building) in the Tongass National Forest.
Seniors, senators blast plan to ramp up campground costs for elderly, disabled
Thursday, February 18th, 2010This is a pretty disgusting story that’s bound to get bigger. The USFS is considering allowing private campground managers(many of these are now entrenched into our federal public land system ,unfortunately) to raise prices on the disabled and elderly. Normally these groups would receive half off for their campground rates.
There is no doubt that a society’s worth can be judged on how it treats the elderly, the sick, and the animals of this planet. This situation is embarrassing.
Note that Derek Crandall, head of the American Recreation Coalition or “ARC” is for the cut in discounts for the disabled. We’ve covered him before. Ultimately, his goal is for the privatization of federal public land.
The Ghost Cat
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010An outstanding piece on Montana lynx. Some very beautiful photos and a really cool multimedia slide show. I’m always amazed when I see just how huge the paws are on these magnificent creatures. This one is a “must click”.
Solution to the Wheaton “coyote problem”
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010It’s not all armchair quarterbacking here on the Wilderness Sportsman. After being published in the Daily Herald last Friday and invited to talk at the Wheaton City Council meeting tonight concerning the coyote problem, I have been thinking about a possible solution. After a week of thought, I feel that bear spray is the best solution.
For those in Wheaton who have no idea what this is, bear spray is a device used in the northern Rockies and Alaska to stop grizzly bear attacks, or grizzly bears that get too close. Bear spray usually comes in a long metal can with anywhere form 8 to 12 ounces of spray. At the top of the can is a trigger which activates the stream of spray. The spray effect is a 17-30 foot wall of spray which causes the eyes of an animal to sting, causes coughing and massive irritation. Studies indicate that bear spray is far more effective than firearms in deterring bear attacks. You can view a brand of bear spray at this link.
I feel that this approach accomplishes a few things:
1. It specifically targets and conditions the few “bad” coyotes. They coyotes that get too close will associate pets and humans with a very unpleasant sensation.
In effect, you are “teaching” the bad coyotes to be good coyotes. By keeping these “taught” coyotes in the gene pool, you increase your chances of good coyotes in Wheaton over the long haul.
Montana: Tester logging bill sets dangerous precedent
Sunday, February 14th, 2010Stewart Brandborg has been a public lands advocate for a very long time. When he says Tester’s bill may “set up 535 fiefdoms” of forest service management, he isn’t kidding.
I like the fact that Tester’s bill adds new wilderness. But the functions of the bill allow for the destruction and removal of other wilderness easily.
Wyoming: Dog waste piling up at trailheads
Sunday, February 14th, 2010Wyoming officials at one trail head found 173 piles of dog waste. It might be a good idea to bag the feces at busy sites like they do in the cities and suburbs.
