Anti-Hunters: Animal rights madness!

I found this very informative website with tons of links to articles that debunk the myth of animal welfare and animal rights organizations as the cuddly caring organizations they try to portray in the public. The articles basically confirm what I have suspected for many years, namely that animal rights organizations are more about making money of unsuspecting people and at worst are subscribing to an anti-human and humane policy.

But don’t take my word for it. Visit the website and read the articles, it’s scary and should be a wakeup call for all of us to do more in voicing our rights and be prepared to defend these rights in public. I find this website, with it’s many articles about animal rights, to be also a good research resource for outdoor writers.

Hunting vs. Animal Rights

Mom sues over rejection of yearbook photo

This is the headline I stumbled upon today. Reading the article I was left with shaking my head in disbelieve and asking myself, “How far will some of us go to enforce the political correctness b…s…?

Here is what happened. The Portsmouth High School refused to include a photo in the yearbook of Patrick Agin, 17. The reason. Agin belongs to the Society for Creative Anachronism and thought it would be cool to pose in medieval regalia including a heavy sword. Look at the picture and tell me if this depicts violence. No! I didn’t think so either.

But that is exactly what the schools principal agues. The picture, so the principal said is against the schools zero-tolerance policy, which does not permit to promote weapons and violence. However, principal Robert Littlefield told Agin he could pay to put the photo in the advertising section of the book, but he would not allow it as Agin's senior portrait.

Talk about double morals here. I guess it is not appropriate to display weapons in the yearbook unless you pay for it to be displayed. I am no fan of lawsuits but in this case I hope the mother of Patrick Agin will win the lawsuit against the school. This political correct stupidity we teach our children has got to stop. By the way the school mascot is a Revolutionary War soldier carrying a musket. Talk about double standards.

You can read the full article here.

Here is what the civil liberties organization, who helps Agin to file a lawsuit against the school, had to say: “It’s a perfect example of bureaucratic ridiculousness,” said Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island branch of the organization. “We have had zero-tolerance cases before, one where a district punished a kindergartner for bringing in a butter knife, and another where a school suspended two first graders who brought a toy ray gun. But this case is even more ridiculous, since Patrick was not even bringing the weapon to school.”

You can read that article here.

New Blog

I am happy to announce that I have added a new and unique blog to the Othmar Vohringer Website and blog network.

The Outdoor News Daily, is a breaking news resource for the outdoor writers and informed outdoor person. You can find the latest news on all aspects of hunting, fishing and the great outdoors from around North America and the world all in one convenient place at the click of a button.

News: Hoosier Hunter Dies Hanging from Tree Stand

A hunter from Jasper, Ind., suffocated while hanging by his foot from a deer stand Wednesday at Patoka Reservoir, authorities said.
The Dubois County coroner's office ruled that Brian D. Beckman, 46, died of positional asphyxiation -- a condition that occurs when a person's body position keeps them from breathing properly.
His death was ruled accidental, and the coroner's office did not believe any medical condition led to him falling from the tree stand, said Tom Jahn, an Indiana conservation officer who was called to the scene.

"From what I understand... hanging there upside down would keep the person from getting oxygen to the brain," Jahn said.
Beckman went deer hunting alone about 12:30 p.m. When he had not returned about seven hours later, his family and friends went to look for him, Jahn said.
"His wife knew where his tree stand was," so the search party went there and found Beckman hanging upside-down from the railing of the stand, which was about 14 feet above ground, Jahn said.
Beckman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tree stand was a commercial type consisting of a metal ladder, platform and seat.

Investigation showed Beckman appeared to have fallen from the stand, gotten his foot caught in the railing and could not right himself.

"He had all of his weight on that one foot," Jahn said.

Source: Indianapolis Star.com

People: More of Brian Warner

Some of my loyal readers surely remember the article Meet Brian Warner I wrote back in July of this year. I wrote about the outstanding fishing lures Brian carves out of wood. I also wrote that Brian is experimenting with turkey calls.

Well, I just posted an article over on my Wild Turkey Fever Blog about Brian’s Heirloom Custom Turkey Calls. I had the privilege to field test his calls and I must say without flattering that these are quite possible the very best calls I ever used. The sound is real, so real that even a big old tom can’t tell the difference. Not only do these calls sound good they look good too. Brian is a very creative mind. He loves woodworking and is a veteran turkey hunter. It is these qualities combined that lead to a quality product.

Well, why don’t you hop quick over to Wild Turkey Fever and read for yourself what the recent exitement about Heirloom Custom Turkey Calls is all about. If you're an avid turkey hunter looking for that special turkey call, this it!

News: Heartland Outdoorsman Heritage Contests

Heartland Outdoorsman one of Americas biggest outdoor website and forum gives away a COLEMAN 16′ x 7′ Montana Big Sky® Tent!. All you need to do to become eligible to win is take part in the Heartland Heritage Contests.

Now that is one neat tent and it’s from Coleman too. The perfect Christmas gift for any outdoor person.

The contest ends at the end of December. So hurry over to the Heartland Outdoorsman. Good Luck!!!

Montana Big Sky Dome Camping Tent - 7 Man, 16' X 7'
The Coleman Montana Big Sky 7 Person Dome Camping Tent is roomy enough for the whole family to enjoy. This 16-feet by seven-feet one-room tent can sleep up to seven people at a time in complete comfort. The Coleman exclusive Weather-Tec system is guaranteed to keep you dry and includes: a waterproof floor, leak-free and protected seams, weather resistant fabric, a strong frame design, and the zipper guard system. With 75-inches of vertical space in the center there is plenty of head room, while the three large windows allow for increased ventilation and visibility.

The Coleman Montana Big Sky tent comes with a rainfly that covers the doors and windows for protection from the elements, as well as separate storage bags for the tent-poles and stakes and easy-to-follow set up instructions sewn into the carry bag. Features include a mesh vent to keep your tent fresh, a skylight, gear loft, two pockets for added storage, a heavy-duty welcome mat, and CoolAir ports to further adjust ventilation or access your gear. Shock-corded steel poles will keep this tent a sturdy haven from the weather for years to come.

News: Kentucky Families Afield Open Doors for New Hunters

Kentucky hunting regulations have been modified to encourage hunter recruitment. It is the latest state to approve Families Afield regulations that will help break down hunting barriers.

On Dec. 8, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission approved regulations that exempt new hunters from hunter education for one year if they hunt under direct supervision of a licensed, adult mentor. The new rules also revise the age at which hunter education becomes mandatory, from 10 years old to 12 years old.

The adjustments came after wildlife officials met with a trio of hunting organizations – the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and National Wild Turkey Federation - that are promoting the Families Afield campaign.

The concept for Families Afield was established by the partnership of sportsmen’s groups after results of a study called the Youth Hunting Report revealed declining youth involvement in outdoor sports and pointed to reasons for the sliding numbers.

The regulations were proposed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The nine commission members unanimously approved the changes, which take effect July 1, 2007.

The changes make Kentucky one of 12 states to approve Families Afield bills and regulations. The new laws lower hunting age restrictions, create mentored hunting programs, and ease hunter education mandates. They open the door for millions of hunters to introduce children and newcomers to the sport.

News: Growing Deer Population

As the deer herds keep growing stronger in numbers the states are forced to think of new ways of controlling the herds. In many places the elusive whitetail deer is not so elusive anymore. Especially in urban areas and in the suburbs deer are now a common sight in backyards where they have become a nuisance to many hobby gardeners. In recent years the exploding deer population was the cause for a dramatic increase of deer/car collisions.

In desperation to control the deer herds many wildlife agencies open up new hunting opportunities for bowhunters and, or extend the hunting season. The city of Colstrip, Montana has adopted a plan to control the size of its deer population within its city limits. This plan gives archery hunters a special season with liberal harvest tags. Read the full article here.

Bear Hybrid Update

In an earlier article I reported about the problems Jim Martell faced when he (legally) shoot a rare Polar-Grizzly bear hybrid. Today, almost five moths later I am happy to bring you a follow up.

Jim Martell shot the bear in April on a remote Arctic island. The trophy is now en route to Martell's home to join the five bighorn sheep, two brown bears and a black bear he already has.
The bear left Yellowknife this week, after a taxidermist spent the last seven months stuffing and mounting it in preparation for its journey to a tiny Idaho town of 1,400 people.

"I wanted it (mounted) like I saw him (when it was shot)," Martell said Thursday from his office in Glenns Ferry, a town about 100 kilometres east of Boise.

Read the full story here.

News: Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

Today I came across the best news for which I have been waiting for some years now.

Finally on Sep 8, 2006 the U.S. Government signed the “Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act”, sponsored by the hon. Senator James M. Inhofe (R-OK) and 10 other Senators of the U.S. Congress, into public law. The bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent of all present.

With this bill the U.S. government has a long overdue law to combat the home grown terrorism of animal rights activist such as the ALF (Animal Liberation Front) and their sponsors PETA.

In the following I leave you with the following summary of the new law provided by the Congressional Research Service, which is a government entity that serves Congress and is run by the Library of Congress.

11/13/2006--Passed House without amendment.
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 30, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act - Amends the federal criminal code to revise criminal prohibitions against damaging or interfering with the operations of an animal enterprise to include intentional damage or loss to any real or personal property and intentional threats of death or serious bodily injury against individuals (or their family members, spouses, or intimate partners) who are involved with animal enterprises. Expands such crime to include conspiracies and attempts. Revises and increases monetary and criminal penalties for such crime.
Modifies the definition of "animal enterprise" to include: (1) an enterprise that uses or sells animals or animal products for profit for educational purposes; and (2) an animal shelter, pet store, breeder, or furrier.
Provides that expressive conduct (including picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected by the First Amendment is not prohibited by this Act.

I am very pleased to see that this law, which I among many others, have sponsored for so many years. This law will give protection against violent animal rights terrorist to Zoos, Circuses, Animal Parks, Farmers and Pet breeders to name a few from a long list of professions and enterprises depending on animals to make a living. This law is also good news for hunters and fishers that are often the target of violent animal rights activists. This new law goes much further than the anti hunter harassment laws that some states signed to protect hunters against animal rights activists. While the anti harassment laws are only good in the states that signed into law, the “Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act” is a federal law.

You can contact Senator James M. Inhofe (R-OK), a fellow outdoorsman and hunter, here to let him know how much you appreciate it that he stood up for our rights as hunters and animal owners. He deserves a pad on the back from all of us.

Treebark® Camouflage is Back

Today hunters take it for granted to choose between hundreds of different camouflage patterns but that has not always been the case. In fact, before 1972 the only camouflage available to hunters was army woodland camo. In 1972 Jim Crumley changed the way hunters dressed. Jim Crumley, wanted to be able to hunt more effectively in the forests of his home state of Virginia. Unhappy with traditional military camouflage, he began, simply enough, by dabbing splotches of brown dye on some gray work clothes to match his surroundings. After two years of increased hunting success, he meticulously applied a bark pattern with magic marker. Soon, other hunters were pestering him for the new outfits.

The original printed Trebark® was created in 1980, with that modern hunter camouflage was born. Since then hunter camouflage has come a long way. Today we can choose from many different patterns resembling just about any possible environment we are likely to hunt.

In all the hype about the new camouflage patterns Treebark® went away and almost forgotten. But thanks to Jim Crumely Treeback® is back once again and that is a good thing too. The original Treebark® camouflage is available on Jim’s website www.outfittertuff, go over there and get you some of this historical camouflage, it’s still one of the best patterns for hunting in forests and brush land.

Jim Crumley is not only the inventor of the first hunter camouflage but also the first to have invented a procedure to fully camouflage your rifles and bows with the camouflage pattern of your choice. While you at it check Jim’s Second Skin Website out too.