Missouri Camper's Bear Photos Become Final Texts Before Fatal Mauling 📸

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further ado, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

2ND FATAL ATTACK IN AR. WITHIN A MONTH
MISSOURI CAMPER’S BEAR PHOTOS BECOME FINAL TEXTS BEFORE FATAL MAULING

In yet another chilling story coming out of the Natural State, a 60-year-old man from Springfield, Missouri, was found dead last Thursday at Sam's Throne Campground in the Ozark National Forest in what authorities are ruling as strongly suspected to be a black bear attack. This marks the second such fatality in the state in just over a month, shattering decades of relative peace between humans and the region's growing black bear population.

The victim, whose name has not been publicly released pending full family notification, was camping alone at the remote site near Mt. Judea in Newton County. A few days earlier he had texted photos of a young black bear wandering near his tent to family members, seemingly unbothered by its presence.

When he stopped responding, his son requested a welfare check…

Eastern Iowa high school honors teen killed in hunting accident: Washington High School posthumously crowned 17-year-old Carson Ryan homecoming king. Ryan was accidentally shot and killed by someone in his group while squirrel hunting, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Read the full story.

Michigan budget leaves door open for raising hunting, fishing license fees: Lawmakers cut out spending proposals from the final state budget passed early on Friday morning, Oct. 3 that would have generated more money for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by increasing long-stagnant license fees paid by hunters and anglers.  Read the full story.

Lyme hunter injured by stray shot on first day of pheasant season in New Hampshire:  A 37-year-old Lyme man suffered a gunshot injury on the first day of pheasant hunting season Wednesday morning, according to New Hampshire Fish & Game.  Read the full story.

Video shows Macomb County deputies rescue deer tangled in backyard hammock: According to the sheriff's office, deputies were called to a home in Harrison Township after a deer had gotten itself tangled in the hammock and was unable to break free. Read the full story.

Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery Draws 1,330 Applications from 1,119 Applicants: The hunt, administered by LDWF, will be held in Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas 1, 2 and 4 from Dec. 6-Dec. 21 with 26 permits issued, an increase from the 11 permits issued in 2024. The 2024 hunt drew 973 applications and 814 individual applicants entering.  Read the full story.

What hunters should know about the 2025 Utah waterfowl hunting season: With the exception of tundra swans (which require a permit from the hunt drawing that ended July 16), the rest of the waterfowl hunts in Utah are open to anyone with a hunting or combination license. Read the full story.

Let the games begin: Prairie chicken hunting beginning to take shape in Minnesota: In early settlement days, prairie chickens expanded their range in the Gopher State with the help of agriculture. Over time, changes in the landscape and agricultural practices precipitated their decline. Read the full story.

⚡️ Barking rubbing up the wrong tree. Watch as this big Alaskan bull finds out the hard way that not all rubbing posts are created equal.

No word on how well those paddles conducted the electricity…

Chef’s kiss 👌

📸 : @dirtstar2002

Oh, and one more thing…