Two Washington Poachers Arrested in Carnation Farms Cover-Up 👮

In the event that the Thanksgiving 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 and the month of December.

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:

COULDN’T FOOL THESE WARDENS
TWO WASHINGTON POACHERS ARRESTED IN CARNATION FARMS COVER-UP

In the quiet pastures of Washington’s Snoqualmie Valley, yet another violation of trust and law unfolded under the cover of darkness. The brazen poaching of a cow elk on Carnation Farms property in September has not only disrupted the farm's delicate balance with its resident wildlife but also thrust a Lynnwood man into the legal crosshairs of King County prosecutors. 

Carnation Farms, a 818-acre cornerstone of regenerative agriculture in Carnation, Washington, has long embodied harmony between human endeavor and natural rhythms. Founded in 1908 by Carnation Milk Company magnate Elbridge A. Stuart, the property remains a USDA-certified organic haven, blending 100+ acres of vegetable and herb fields with pasture-raised livestock, including 16 chicken breeds and resilient sheep and cattle. 

In addition to the livestock, this verdant expanse also shelters a portion of the valley's 150–200 Roosevelt elk, all of which were reintroduced in 1913 from Yellowstone National Park. Given the herd's visibility as they openly graze on the farm's hay fields, these large-antlered ungulates do a great job of drawing the gaze from ethical hunters and nature lovers alike, but have also proven to tempt opportunists too…

Wisconsin hunters shot 90,000 deer. Here's where they've had success: Hunters registered 90,671 white-tailed deer during the opening weekend of the 2025 Wisconsin gun deer hunting season, according to preliminary data released Nov. 25 by the Department of Natural Resources. Read the full story.

Hunters in MS pump hundreds of millions of dollars into state economy: It's an economic driver that many people in the state rely on to make ends meet and the trickle-down effect of the money spent by hunters while hunting in the state has an impact of over $750 million annually. Read the full story.

Fines total $20,500 in illegal Ontario moose hunting case: Three men have been fined a total of $20,500 for moose hunting violations following an investigation by conservation officers in northwestern Ontario.  Read the full story.

Michigan hunters have harvested 110,000 deer ahead of final weekend of firearm season: The Michigan firearm season has now surpassed 110,000 harvests after the second heading into the final weekend of firearm season.  Read the full story.

50 years on, Maine's black bear study is still essential tool for population management: Maine's black bear monitoring project — one of nation's longest-running bear studies — turns 50 this year. Scientists say the data collected have been an essential tool in helping to manage the state's healthy bear population.  Read the full story.

Skepticism surrounding Pennsylvania’s elk hunting tag lottery: Pennsylvania State Rep. Dave Maloney (R-130) is an avid hunter and chairs the Fish and Game committee. He is a frequent critic of the Game Commission and said he doesn’t trust its third-party vendor, which selects lottery winners behind closed doors before announcing them to the public. Read the full story.

🍗 You’re about to throw the first cast of the morning and suddenly you’re met with this intimidating gaze.

Me? I’m just backing away slowly and thanking God the river is between us…

When he gives you that look.

📸 : @rorykramerswildlife

Oh, and one more thing…