Two sends in one day?!?! Yes. Our fault. The coffee pot wasn’t full enough this morning and we somehow managed to send out our main story ahead of publication. For those that already read it, here’s the rest of today’s edition.
To those that missed it, thankfully we’re offering you a second chance at the whole kit and caboodle.
Please accept our apologies for the mix up.
That said, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey and get the rest of this mid-week dispatch out the door.
Here's what's worth reading about this morning:
Midnight misstep - SC wildlife officers embroiled in civil case after rushing arrest of suspected poacher 🚔
Arkansas gobblers - It’s almost time to apply for a spring public land permit 🦃
Workstudy from home - Wyoming ends in-person hunter safety training 💻Let’s go girls - More female hunters are joining Virginia’s ranks than their male counterparts 💁♀️
Wearing the remains of your enemy like a scarf - This young bull is carrying around the remains of a mountain lion? 💪
A MIDNIGHT MISSTEP
THE CAUTIONARY TALE OF A SOUTH CAROLINA MAN’S ENCOUNTER WITH WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT
In the world of wildlife conservation, law enforcement officers play a vital role in protecting natural resources and ensuring fair play for ethical hunters. Agencies like the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (among others) work tirelessly to combat poaching, a persistent threat that threatens ecosystems and hacks away at the traditions we as hunters all hold dear. Yet, even with the best intentions, high-stakes operations can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. This story of a Greenville County man illustrates this delicate balance in a case where a routine sting operation escalated into a legal battle, bringing light to some of the risks when enforcement decisions are made under pressure.
It was an unusually bright full moon illuminating the rural fields of Taylors, South Carolina, when Shane Huffman pulled over on Cox Mill Road. Spotting what appeared to be a whitetail deer in a nearby field, Huffman whipped out his trusty binoculars to get a closer look. Unbeknownst to him, the "deer" was a decoy set up by SCDNR officers as part of a sting operation targeting illegal night hunters…
QUICK HITS // FROM AROUND THE WEB
Apply for an Arkansas public land turkey hunting permit by Feb. 15 : Hunters have until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 15 to apply for a chance at one of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s managed permit-only turkey hunts on select wildlife management areas throughout the state this spring. Read the full story.
How Everglades Restoration Work Benefits Hunters: South Florida hunter and conservationist Richard Martinez, state chapter chair for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and past guest of the MeatEater Podcast, explains why restoration work will improve habitat and access. Read the full story.
Wyoming ends in-person hunter safety requirement despite instructor concern : In split vote, Game and Fish commissioners decide to allow hunters over age 18 to earn certificates solely through online coursework — an option already available via out-of-state classes. Read the full story.
Game Commission considers 13 properties for hunters across Pennsylvania: Hunters may be getting more than 1,100 acres of additional state game land property across the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is expected to vote on property acquisitions and exchanges at its Jan. 24 meeting in Harrisburg. Read the full story.
Idaho Fish and Game proposes new hunting technology during legislative session: Idaho Fish and Game is proposing new regulations on hunting technology, including restrictions on drones and night vision use. Read the full story.
Virginia’s female hunters are changing the game: Over the last three years, the number of men who hunt in Virginia declined by about 10,000, reflecting national trends. At the same time, about 1,000 more women across the Commonwealth took up the sport. Read the full story.
VIDEO // SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN
💪 A young bull elk sports the remains of a mountain lion. Obviously, no one really knows exactly what happened here, but somehow the dead remains of a mountain lion ended up tangled in this bull’s headgear.
Talk about making a scarf out of your slain enemies…
What do you think happened?
QUOTABLES // WORDS TO LIVE BY
“The best thing about hunting and fishing,' the Old Man said, 'is that you don't have to actually do it to enjoy it. You can go to bed every night thinking about how much fun you had twenty years ago, and it all comes back clear as moonlight.”
— Robert Ruark
HUMPDAY MEME // I’LL NEVER STOP DISAPPOINTING THEM
WANDERINGS // A SFW GLIMPSE OF OUR BROWSER HISTORY
There’s an iconic waterfall out in Yosemite that turns bright orange once every year. You’ve got to see it to believe it. As a kid, my aunt seriously got into line dancing and taught me some moves while I spent summers on her farm with my cousins. Those moves are still handy today as this country-fied dance phenomenon is making a comeback. Dean Martin, bourbon and the F-word rounded out the ingredients to Sinatra’s favorite burger. I’ll admit it: when it comes to beer, I’m a simple man. Give me something domestic, light and cold and I’m a happy camper. In fact, if you give me anything else, the happiness meter instantly declines. This is one of the reasons that I would politely decline the opportunity to sample the world’s strongest beer that allegedly will make your tongue go numb.
EYE CANDY // PICTURES > WORDS
Best buds.
📸 @rileyconne11
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