and a strong cup of coffee

A few weeks ago, I got my hands on an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times (thank you Steel!) that talked about the need for armed guards to protect the poaching of wildlife throughout the world, specifically in parts of Asia and Africa. The author, Elizabeth Bennett from the Wildlife Conservation Society describes these places as having seen a significant decrease in poaching once the armed guards were present. The call to action was clear; the more armed guards there are, the more animals will be saved. Clearly, it is the only way to protect them, right? As I read the article, Joan Root flooded into my mind. One of the best books I have read is " Wildflower: An Extraordinary Life and Untimely Death in Africa " By Mark Seal. This woman worked her entire life to protect and advocate for the conservation of animals in Africa. There are so many people like her and books about the efforts being made to protect the animals that are in critical danger of being killed off: tig...

It was an amazing weekend to be outside and spend it with Dad. After breakfast and grabbing coffee (for me), Dad and I headed out into the woods to put up cameras and to mark off a wood lot that he is cutting. I bathed in deet before I went into the woods and tall grass. I didn't need a repeat of this . This little guy was not happy that we were around. He was chirping at me, would stick his head out of the pipe, duck back in, squeak some more, stick his head out... on and on until I left. Hello decent size track! So many tracks! Its a good sign. We put up three cameras. Dad picked out a new spot for us to put a seat up. All kinds of sign, now with the camera up, we can see how many and how big the deer are. Come on big buck! One more by the Sky Condo. It looked like a super high way; beaten down paths in the field and muddy prints going in every direction. We shot one out of the Condo two years ago. Now, we need some good photos. It was a great day in t...

The following is a news story that aired yesterday about the removal of one of two dams along the Penobscot river and the impact that it will have on the fish population. For audio and original publication, please click here . There are "high hopes" for the Penobscot River once the Great Works Dam is completely removed, and dismantling of the Veazie Dam begins next year. That's how Maine Marine Resources Commissioner Pat Keliher framed his remarks at a celebration along the river's banks today. Restoring 11 species of migratory fish is a big part of the dream. Hopeful signs are evident at the Veazie Dam fish trap operated by state biologists every spring and summer. But, there's still a long way to go. ### For endangered Atlantic salmon, whose mysterious, powerful instinct propels them hundreds of miles from their native rivers to ocean feeding grounds and back again to reproduce, the Penobscot River is a force to be reckoned with all its own. Currently, s...

Recently, I have been doing some research on this topic and asking my friends on Twitter if they have restrictions like this where they hunt. If so, do they think it is an effective method for growing and creating a healthy herd. Here are some of the comments: Kentucky - No but if it's less than 3 inches, u can check as doe if I remember the regs correctly. Never been as issue for the guys I hunt with. Idaho – No, we don't have any restrictions like this. Georgia - Ga. allows counties to set antler if they desire and those that have service pt. and/or restrictions have much better bucks ! Point & spread restrictions are best. Erin, there are only a couple of Counties that i know of. I'm sure there are some i don't know. Dooly County has min. 8 pt. & 15" spread. It has made an incredible difference in their herd but is difficult to bring in more areas because we have more killers than trophy hunters. Oklahoma – No. There are no antler restr...

A few weeks ago, I blogged about getting bit by a deer tick and the increase in the sheer number of them across the State. Last week, the BDN ran an article about the increase in illness here in Maine due to those horrible bugs. Here are some scary take aways if you live here: * Lyme sickened about 1,000 Mainers in 2011 and more than 180 so far this year * The deer tick can transmit Lyme, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. * The dog tick can carry Lyme but doesn’t transmit it * On average, 50 percent of Maine deer ticks carry disease * Ticks are less of a problem in northern counties of Maine and at higher elevations ( The biggest issue I had with this article is that they never mention that the rash you can get does not have to be near the site of the bite. Instead, it makes that assumption for the reader " But patients can miss the rash if the bite occurs where they can’t see it, such as under the hair on the back . If you get bit on your stomach, like I did, and ...