Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the newsletter. If you’re still with us, that means you’ve made it to the middle of yet another week.
With that said, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey and get this mid-week dispatch out the door.
Here's what's worth reading about this morning:
Foiled by the phone - Quartet of Kansas men brought down by braggadocious text messages 📱
First time does - New PA bill wants to give first-time hunters their first doe 📋
Don’t forget your license - Montana officials remind out-of-state shed hunters to pay up before hitting the ground 🪪
It’s my right! - Well, almost. Ohio is trying to make hunting and fishing a constitutional right, despite backlash 🧑⚖️
Mom strength - This cow moose lost one of her calves the day before to this bear, she’s not letting the other go so easily 🫎
FOILED BY THE PHONE
“BRING QUIET GUNS”: FOUR KANSAS MEN CHARGED IN MULTI-YEAR POACHING OPERATION
In a case built on a group chat that reads like the world's dumbest crime novel, a quartet of Chase County men have been charged with a slew of felony and misdemeanor wildlife violations. These charges stem from an alleged coordinated poaching ring that spanned from 2022 to late 2024 during which time prosecutors claim the group illegally hunted deer, coyotes, and other animals using spotlights, vehicles, and incredibly "quiet guns," all while engaging in the commercialization of wildlife and acts of animal cruelty.
The defendants—Spencer W. Harshman, Brody J. Harrison, Tyler E. Dickerson, and Michael W. Bockman—are now facing a combined total of nearly 80 counts, including felonies for commercialization of wildlife valued at $1,000 or more and animal cruelty. The charges were filed by Chase County Attorney Brian J. Henderson on Monday, with all four men scheduled for first appearances in Chase County District Court on March 26th…
QUICK HITS // FROM AROUND THE WEB
Senate bill would help new Pennsylvania hunters go doe hunting: A proposed bill with the support of the Pennsylvania Game Commission would attempt to help new hunters get an antlerless deer during their first year in the woods. Read the full story.
Alaska announces 2026–2027 migratory bird hunting updates and limits: The season for emperor geese will remain closed this year, with no permits available due to population declines. Brant hunters can expect a 51-day season. Dates will be similar to last year, running September 1 through October 21 in the Northern and Southeast zones, October 1 through November 20 in the Gulf Coast zone, and October 8 through November 27 in the Kodiak and Aleutians zones. Read the full story.
Missouri House bill would make hunting and fishing permits free for some veterans: The free permits would be given to 100% disabled veterans that are Missouri residents and any active military personnel regardless of residency. Their dependents would get the same benefits. Read the full story.
New law in effect on nonresident shed antler hunting in Montana: The 2025 Montana Legislature passed a law on shed antler hunting in Montana. This includes a $50 nonresident shed hunting license for Montana's Wildlife Management Areas, along with prohibiting nonresidents from picking up antlers on WMAs for the first seven days of spring opening. Read the full story.
Proposal to enshrine hunting and fishing in Ohio Constitution draws pushback, praise: Lawmakers are considering Senate Joint Resolution 8, introduced last fall by state Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), which would create a constitutional right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in Ohio. If approved by three-fifths of both legislative chambers, the measure would go before voters statewide this November. Read the full story.
Montana's new hunting and fishing rules start March 1: According to a report from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, hunters and anglers can purchase 2026 licenses and apply for special permits online. However, they should be aware of new state laws and regulations affecting this year's activities. Read the full story.
VIDEO // SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN
💪 This mother wants payback. Apparently this bear snagged momma’s calf the day before this was recorded and came back on this day to grab the other one.
It looks like momma had different plans…
QUOTABLES // WORDS TO LIVE BY
“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something... that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”
— Robert Louis Stevenson
HUMPDAY MEME // DON’T TELL GRANDAD, K?
WANDERINGS // A SFW GLIMPSE OF OUR BROWSER HISTORY
I don’t do a lot on Twitter these days but I do have a few New England-maxxing accounts that I follow and have me enamored with the area and lifestyle. It’s a lot like this driving tour of Vermont’s corner stores. Scott Adams just died and, aside from comics, it looks like the art of the newspaper cartoonist is soon to be a thing of the past as well. I have four kids and over half of them are extremely picky eaters. Is this something they’ve learned? Or is it something they developed in the womb? Me? I’m not picky at all and would plow through (or at least politely sample) each and every one of these eleven Polish dishes everyone ought to try at least once.
EYE CANDY // PICTURES > WORDS
Fiery morning right there.
📸 @rayfetherman
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