The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Well, we finally made it to the month of February and we only have 6 days left in deer Season. But in February in Alabama another subject comes to my mind and that is the subject of Prescribe Burning. The following article is from one of the premier land managers in our state, Mr. Ted DeVos Of Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services. Images and thoughts of woodland fire are typically that it is bad! However, this is probably because most people are not familiar with the benefits of...
Ringtail cats are not related to the cat family but are members of the raccoon family, Procyonidae which also includes Kinkajous, and Coatimundis. Ringtails are cat sized animals that resemble a mix between a fox and a raccoon. The face is fox-like, with a pointed snout, and the body is raccoon-like and elongated. The top side of the animal is yellow to dark brown or black, and the underside is a whitish buff. The ears and eyes are large and the eyes are ringed by white fur. The tail is very...
Here lately I've been on a real kick about what it means to pass on the hunting heritage, and I'm still really adamant about bringing in the next generation of hunters. It's not only rewarding for everyone directly involved, but it improves the sport as a whole. Mike O’Malley, President of the Black Belt Branch of QDMA, right here in Montgomery, just had such an experience, and “Some of my greatest, most meaningful memories are those spent with my father in the field. I was blessed to have a f...
My children have four paws. My grandchildren have fur. My four legged fur kids are smarter than your honor student." Whether boasted on a bumper sticker or proclaimed aloud, these phrases capture the importance people place on their relationships with their pets. Indeed, the relationship between human and animal is special. The loss of a pet is devastating, and many pet owners find the grief associated with the loss of a pet is just as or even more challenging than the loss of human loved ones....
The Fishing cat is yet another example of a cat that disproves the misconception that cats don't like water. The Fishing Cat is a small to medium sized feline that is natively found throughout a number of countries in south-east Asia. Unlike other cat species found around the world (with the notable exception of the Jaguar) the Fishing Cat spends most of its life in areas of dense vegetation close to water and is an excellent swimmer. However, despite its water-loving lifestyle, the Fishing Cat...
This month, I want to talk about how to anticipate tracking a deer after it's been stuck with an arrow. There are some tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for when the arrow hits that can give you a good idea of where you hit it and how long you need to wait before tracking it. Of course, I can right out tell you that shots to the head and neck aren't really what you want. Sure, they're pretty vital, but with all the bone, skin, muscle, and fur in the way, you're more likely than not just going...
As you read this, Bow Season has already started for all of Alabama. Despite the rough weather we've had in recent weeks, I've seen quite a few deer out and about, later in the evening. So take heart, Bow Hunters; they'reout there! If setting up trail cameras is a part of your pre-season scouting efforts, they can really pay off when setting yourself up for bow hunting. While there is no such thing as a guarantee when it comes to placing a buck, you can get a fair idea of where the deer are...
Saint Francis of Assisi changed the world during his brief life, and he is still remembered worldwide today for the miracles people say God performed through him and the compassion he showed to the vulnerable -- especially poor people, sick people, and animals. The man who became known as Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone in Assisi, Umbria (which is now part of Italy) around 1181 into a wealthy family. He lived a life of leisure in his youth, but he was restless, and by...
By now, most of the Summer planting has been completed. As for me, I'm not really into Summer planting, as the areas I like to hunt all ready have a rather large amount of browse for the deer to go through later in the year. But in some areas, that extra bit of green thrown in there can make a huge difference in improving deer habitat. Of course, aside from the usual Summer planting, there's another option that eludes most hunters; establishing soft mast in your neck of the woods. Some of you...
The coati is a medium-sized mammal only found on the American continent. The coati is found widely distributed across North, Central and South in a number of different habitats. The coati is primarily found in dense forests and wet jungles as the coati will spend a great deal of its life in the safety of the trees. However, there are also coati populations inhabiting grasslands, mountains and even deserts across the continent. Coatis are members of the Procyonidae family, a group of New World...
Summer's put the heat on us pretty hard this year, and I'm itching for college football to kick back into gear. Aside from the usual, though, I'm also looking into something new called SOA's, or Special Opportunity Areas. It's a concept being established by Alabama DCNR's Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division and the Forever Wild Land Trust. The problem being addressed is that, with the vast majority of land in the state of Alabama being privately owned instead of publically available...
I find that the most interesting things in the outdoors are the unexpected surprises. Those bits of knowledge you come across that you just plain weren't expecting. Ever since I started working with QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association), I've confirmed a lot of the things I already knew, but I've discovered a heap more of things I didn't! Today, I want to talk about trees. Pine trees, to be exact. I recently came across an article put out by Stephanie Mallory of Great Days Outdoors...
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth and are also known to be extremely intelligent. They have characteristic long noses, or trunks; large, floppy ears; and wide, thick legs. A group of elephants is called a herd. The herd is led by a matriarch, which is the oldest female. Females, as well as young and old elephants, stick together in a herd. Adult males tend to wander. Elephants also have certain rules. For example, when they are meeting each other, they expect the other elephant to...
Folks, we've talked about coyotes before, and how they impact deer herds. The pack-hunting critters are always willing to make a quick meal of a fawn or any other animal it can get a hold of, and it's starting to really show with our state's deer population. Of course, the flip side is that this is all a part of the natural order; coyotes are predators, and deer are prey. That being said, it's important to understand their place in the woods and how they live. Coyotes are the kind of critter...
The Raccoon dog, also known as Magnut or Tanuki, is a type of Asian wild dog it is very much a member of the dog family. It is considered to be one of the earliest species that other dog species have evolved from. Neither a raccoon nor a dog, but it does belong to the canid family, which is a lineage that includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. They are the only Canid that hibernates in the winter. There are 5 subspecies of raccoon dogs that can be found in the eastern Asia and Europe. These animals...
I recently had lunch with Barry Estes with Alabama Hog Control, and we were talking about deer hunting and deer population. Barry made a point that really made me think. He said deer hunters spend tons of money on food plots, fertilizer and soil samples, but if they have a predator and hog problem, they are wasting money. He is dead on! Predators and hogs are knocking our deer and turkey populations down tremendously. Why not take some of your planting money and put it towards predator and hog...
Pronghorn is antelope-like animal that lives in North America. There are four subspecies of pronghorn that can be found in Mexico, Arizona, throughout the Great Plains and in the Canada. Pronghorn inhabits open grasslands and deserts. It can survive on the altitude of up to 11 000 feet. Main factors that decrease number of pronghorns in the wild are habitat loss, hunting and manmade fences for the livestock (they disturb natural migratory routes). Mexican population of pronghorns is critically...
Folks, it's been a pretty interesting turkey season this year! The Alabama thunder chickens were gobbling and thundering the first part of the season, but that quickly changed, as it always does. The first three weeks of the season were outstanding, with the toms running everywhere. If I had been just hunting for myself, I probably would have hit bag limit in the first two weeks alone. Of course, after those first three weeks, the season took a turn for the quiet, as the birds had had their...
Binturongs have a body length between 24 - 38 inches, a tail length between 22 - 35 inches and they weigh between 20 - 31 lbs. Their fur is thick, coarse and black in color and they have a long, bushy, fully prehensile tail. Their ears are small and rounded and they have tufts of hair on the end. They have small eyes that are reddish/brown in color. Binturongs are excellent climbers and they can rotate their hind legs backwards so they can still grip onto a tree when climbing down it head...
For the last five years or so, there's been a bill taking passes through the House and Senate in Alabama, and this year it's looking to come in with a little steam. The bill in question is House Bill 184, which would allow hunters to hunt both deer and feral hogs over bait. As it stands, the bill has passed the State House, and is looking to come up for consideration in the State Senate. Personally, I'm not a fan of hunting over bait. We can currently use bait, as long as it's 100 yards away...
Moose are the largest living member of the deer family. While mostly found in northern United States and Canada, they are also found in Europe. However, in Europe the animal is known as a Eurasian elk. Standing up to seven feet at the shoulders and weighing up to 1800 pounds, they have very few natural predators. Moose are able to run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and are capable of swimming up to 10 miles without stopping. Moose range in color from light brown to a very dark brown color....
This past deer season in Alabama's been pretty on and off, but aside from the weather, it's been plenty full of great hunts and greater stories! I've heard and read lots of stories and seen plenty of photos about folks bringing home the meat for the freezer as well as some really nice trophies for the wall. Here's to hoping the next season will be even better! As for me, my mind's preoccupied with Turkey Hunting. This year the fun kicks off for most counties in Alabama on March 15th, running...
There are many things we think of when the word bat is spoken; such as Vampires, Dracula, rabies and diseases. Yes diseases are true but not as dramatic as is put out. All mammals can contract and carry rabies; however bats are not asymptomatic carriers of the disease. In reality, bats contract rabies far less than other animals. Less than 1/2 of 1% of all bats may contract the disease. A variety of wild animals (rabies vector species) can catch rabies, including foxes, skunks, raccoons,...
Deer season is entering the final stretch, and it's finally getting to the real chase! The rut's kicking into full swing, so if you've been keeping the pressure off certain little spots, now's the time to lock 'em down and snag you that buck! I like to remind folks that patience is key to deer hunting. Outside of the obvious "wait and see" approach to deer hunting in general, what with waiting in a box, blind, or ladder stand, that patience extends to the deer we harvest as well. Entering the...
Ringtail cats are not related to the cat family but are members of the raccoon family, Procyonidae which also includes Kinkajous, and Coatimundis. Ringtails are cat sized animals that resemble a mix between a fox and a raccoon. The face is fox-like, with a pointed snout, and the body is raccoon-like and elongated. The top side of the animal is yellow to dark brown or black, and the underside is a whitish buff. The ears and eyes are large and the eyes are ringed by white fur. The tail is very...
