Debate Heats Up Over Utah DWR's Cougar Culling Study 🐈

I’m currently at the “it’s Thursday already?” phase of the workweek and am unsure as to whether or not that is a good thing as of yet.

With that in mind, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get this Thursday morning dispatch out the door.

Here's what's worth reading about today:

IT’S A MIXED BAG
UTAH’S COUGAR REDUCTION EXPERIMENT SPARKS DEBATE AMONG HUNTERS, ADVOCATES, AND CONSERVATION GROUPS

After grappling with declines due to a mix of harsh winters, habitat loss, and predation, Utah’s mule deer are feeling the pinch, prompting the state's Division of Wildlife Resources to embark on a bold three-year experiment it hopes will help. Launched just last month, the study revolves around the targeted culling of mountain lions in six specific game management units which include Boulder, Monroe, Stansbury, Pine Valley, Wasatch East, and Zion. 

The program’s goal is straightforward yet contentious, taking aim at determining if reducing cougar numbers can lead to a measurable increase in mule deer survival and population growth in areas where GPS collar data indicates predation is a significant limiting factor. By employing professional trappers from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, alongside ongoing hunter harvests, the DWR aims to gather data on predator-prey dynamics, fulfilling a 2020 legislative mandate to address predation where and when it hinders big game recovery.

However, the initiative has sparked a firestorm of debate, revealing a deeply mixed consensus among stakeholders…

🏆 $5,000 Reward Offered After Brazen Theft of Iconic Ram Statue at KUIU's Dixon Location. In a brazen theft that has left employees and customers of outdoor apparel brand KUIU mourning the loss of a cherished landmark, a bronze statue of a ram known as "Rocky" was stolen from the company's store in Dixon, California, on December 31, 2025.

The statue, which had long served as a welcoming fixture for visitors to the KUIU location at 1920 N Lincoln Dr., was deliberately cut down by unknown perpetrators in what authorities are treating as a targeted crime. Rocky, a beloved symbol of the brand's rugged outdoor ethos, had become an iconic part of the local business landscape. In a public appeal posted to Instagram by the official KUIU account, the company described the incident with evident frustration, stating that the thieves "cut him down and stole him from us." To aid in the investigation, KUIU announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The post urged anyone with tips to contact the Dixon Police Department directly at 707-678-7070.

🤦 NY Man Admits to Poaching After Investigators Show Him His Own Photo Boastfully Posing with the Deer. A man in Western New York has been cited by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for illegally harvesting a large antlered buck. The incident came to light on December 6 when another hunter, who found the deer on his property, reported it to the DEC after hearing rumors that the shooter lacked a valid hunting license.

Investigators discovered the man had no valid New York State hunting license (his had been revoked six years earlier due to a prior deer poaching conviction) and he never completed the required hunter education course to regain eligibility. When initially interviewed, he denied hunting all season, but he admitted to taking the deer after officers confronted him with evidence, which just happened to be a photo of him posing with the buck. He was issued tickets for the illegal take of big game and hunting deer without a license, with charges pending in Arcade Town Court.

🧑‍⚖️ Idaho Magistrate Binds Hunting YouTuber Ryan Lampers' Case Over to District Court After Preliminary Hearing. On Tuesday of this week, a magistrate judge in Lemhi County, Idaho, held a preliminary hearing for Montana-based hunting YouTuber Ryan Lampers (known as “STHealthy” or “STHealthyHunter”). The judge found sufficient probable cause that Lampers committed the alleged offenses, so the case was formally bound over (transferred) to Idaho district court for further proceedings. This means the felony and misdemeanor charges now advance to the higher trial court level, where next steps like arraignment, plea entry, and potential trial will occur. No future hearing dates have been publicly scheduled yet.

Lampers, 51, is up against two felonies including grand theft by deception and unlawful killing/possessing/wasting wildlife, plus falsified records for extra wolf reimbursement along with several misdemeanors (unlawful taking, no valid tags, unlawful possession, falsifying public records). The allegations stem from December 2024 incidents in closed/restricted areas. He was arrested in September 2025, posted $600 bond, and remains free pending the case. If convicted, he could face up to 27.5 years in prison and a lifetime ban on hunting, fishing, and trapping in Idaho. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

🥶 This guy is an absolute unit. Middle of winter, busting through ice on a stand-up paddle board and slayin’ them.

That’s dedication right there, friends…

🫡 The Short, Dangerous Life of Paul Rainey: He was a millionaire, Arctic explorer, big game hunter and movie producer – a man who was larger than life in everything that he did. Born September 18, 1877, Paul J. Rainey amassed great wealth from the coke and coal mining industries that were so crucial to the industrial development of the United States in the late 1800s. Standing 6-foot 4 inches, Rainey was the playboy with it all – education, money, looks and a taste for danger. 

As diverse as his interests were, Rainey had two that defined his life and legacy – hunting and photography.  Read the full story.

🐽 Little Big Game in the Desert: One year, I just had to get out. A friend and I flew to Phoenix, rented a car, drove east to Safford, and chatted with the local wildlife biologist. With some new circles on our map, we set off into the desert—way off into the desert, farther than we ever should have gone in a rental car.

After cooking a meal over a mesquite fire and going to sleep under the stars, we rose the following morning set off on foot in search of an animal I’d never even see before—the javelina. The open desert terrain offered an inviting opportunity to pick a high spot, sit down, and glass. I hiked up to the base of a nearby mountain although I didn’t really know what I was looking for. The blue sky and brilliant sun had already compensated for the time and effort of the trip. Read the full story.

🐈 The Legend of Old Buck: Every year, on January 6th—known as Old Christmas—the village of Rodanthe on the Outer Banks is visited by a special guest: Old Buck, a legendary bull whose presence is eagerly awaited by locals. The legend of Old Buck dates back more than 400 years, and it is believed that he lives in the woods of Trent Woods. Each year, Old Buck appears to see which children have been good and which have been naughty.

The origins of Old Buck’s legend can be traced back to ancient English folklore, which tells the tale of a dragon that once terrorized England. According to the story, the dragon was defeated by Saint George, who freed the country from its tyranny. Some versions of the story claim that the dragon begged for mercy, promising never to return to England again. His wish was granted, and his spirit wandered, passing from creature to creature.   Read the full story.

Oh, and one more thing…