Virginia Man Faces Homicide Charges in Shooting of Fellow Outdoorsman 🙏

The weekend might not be here just yet, but your favorite dispatch from the great outdoors is. 

So grab your coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and let's get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

THINGS TOOK A WRONG TURN
VIRGINIA HUNTER FACES HOMICIDE CHARGES IN TRAGIC NIGHTTIME SHOOTING OF FELLOW OUTDOORSMAN

In a case that has shaken Virginia's tight-knit hunting community, a 47-year-old man from Buffalo Junction has been indicted on felony homicide charges for the fatal shooting of a fellow hunter during a late-night predator hunt earlier this year. The Lunenburg County grand jury's decision on October 7 marks a significant step in the legal proceedings surrounding the death of William C. "Bug" Gaulding III, a 54-year-old Victoria resident remembered by family and friends as a generous soul and dedicated volunteer. Jonathan A. Bailey, the accused, turned himself in to authorities the day following the incident and remains in custody without bond as his arraignment looms next week.

The incident unfolded on February 17th around 9:45 p.m. on a rural stretch of Tuckers Road in the Keysville area of Lunenburg County. Both men were legally chasing coyotes and bobcats at night on private property, with permission from the landowner. Gaulding was hunting alone, positioned roughly 100 to 200 yards from Bailey, who was accompanied by another hunter. According to investigators, Bailey fired a shot that struck Gaulding, leading to his death at the scene from a single gunshot wound. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with the Lunenburg County Sheriff's Office and the Albemarle County Police Department's Cybercrimes Unit, described the tragedy as stemming from "negligence and a disregard for safety." Key factors cited include Bailey's alleged intoxication while handling a firearm and firing across a public roadway…

🧑‍⚖️ Three Men Charged with 33 Counts for Illegally Killing Bull Elk and Deer in Montana Poaching Case. In Big Horn County, Montana, three men face 33 charges, including 10 felonies and 23 misdemeanors, for illegally killing several large bull elk and one mule deer buck in the Sarpy Creek area near Hardin between 2022 and 2023. The poaching occurred during a closed hunting season, without proper licenses or landowner permission, violating state regulations. The investigation, sparked by reports of a headless elk carcass in an unauthorized hunting area, led Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens, with support from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, to execute search warrants and seize multiple taxidermy mounts as evidence.

The case, filed in Montana’s 22nd Judicial District Court by a special prosecutor, highlights ongoing efforts to combat poaching in eastern Montana, with public tips playing a critical role. No suspect names have been released, and the individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

🪶 Oklahoma Tribes Clash with State over Tribal Hunting and Fishing Rights on Reservation Lands. On Wednesday, a significant dispute broke out in Oklahoma between the state’s Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Five Tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee/Creek, and Seminole Nations) over hunting and fishing rights on tribal reservation lands. The ODWC insists that all individuals, including tribal members, must obtain state hunting and fishing licenses, citing the 2020 McGirt v. Oklahoma U.S. Supreme Court decision and the 2025 Strobel v. Oklahoma Tax Commission Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling, which they interpret as limiting tribal exemptions to lands directly owned by tribes or held in federal trust. The agency’s announcement that game wardens will issue citations for non-compliance has reignited tensions, following the expiration of state-tribal compacts in 2021 that previously allowed tribal members to hunt and fish without state licenses.

The Five Tribes, representing approximately 815,000 citizens, assert that their inherent sovereign rights, rooted in treaties and federal law, permit hunting and fishing on their reservations without state permits. Under the 2024 Five Tribes Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement, tribal members can use their tribal IDs to hunt and fish across the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Seminole reservations, adhering to each tribe’s regulations. Tribal leaders, including Choctaw Chief Gary Batton and Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., have denounced the state’s stance as a violation of sovereignty and cultural traditions. Tribes are currently advising cited members to contact their legal offices, such as the Choctaw Nation’s Public Defender, and have stated that they are prepared to defend these rights legally if necessary.

🐻 Non-Hunters Snag Dozens of Florida Bear Hunt Permits to Protect Black Bears from December Hunt. Florida officials announced this week that the state’s controversial black bear hunt has seen 148 of 172 available permits claimed through a random lottery. According to the FWC, at least 39 of these permits were secured by non-hunters, led by the Sierra Club Florida Chapter and South Florida businessman Steve Rosen, who coughed up over $200,000 on lottery entries to reduce hunters' chances of obtaining tags(you gotta respect the hustle). This "bag a tag, spare a bear" strategy aims to protect Florida’s estimated 4,000 black bears by limiting the planned 172-bear harvest—the state’s first in a decade.

The FWC continues to defend the hunt’s science-based quotas, set for four of seven bear management areas with populations of 200 or more, including Central Florida (1,200 bears), where only 18 permits were allocated. Critics, including conservation groups like Speak Up Wekiva and the Sierra Club, distrust FWC’s motives, accusing it of ignoring science and pandering to trophy hunters, especially after the agency delisted black bears as threatened years ago. While FWC insists it won’t adjust quotas based on unused permits, conservationists like Rosen, hope their efforts spare bears, though some fear future quota increases if non-hunters’ tactics are too transparent. Better keep that checkbook handy, Steve.

Severe disease outbreak in southern Indiana prompts DNR to restrict 2025 deer harvest: The changes come after the DNR received hundreds of reports from Hoosiers who described deer that they suspected were infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a virus that is highly deadly to white-tailed deer. Read the full story.

Controversial change to hunting mountain lions around Rapid City approved: The South Dakota Legislative Rules and Review Committee approved a controversial change to hunting mountain lions in the Black Hills. State legislators gave the green-light to expanding where dogs can be used to detect wildcats in the Black Hills Fire Protection District including some private land. Read the full story.

Michigan deer hunting season off to strong start despite disease concerns: State officials expect a productive year despite lingering challenges from the March ice storm that hit northern Michigan and an ongoing deer disease outbreak in the southern Lower Peninsula.  Read the full story.

Idaho Fish and Game warns hunters of lifelike animal decoys:  Taking a shot at that suspiciously still bull might seem tempting, but it could also be a very costly mistake that causes you to lose your money and your hunting license.  Read the full story.

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources launch new app for deer, elk hunters: The two agencies have launched a "KY Deer & Elk" app, which is designed to provide real-time tools and planning support, according to an Oct. 6 announcement.  Read the full story.

Vermont encourages hunters to use non-lead ammunition: Vermont wildlife officials said Thursday that they are encouraging hunters to voluntarily avoid using lead bullets when going out to hunt. “Avoiding lead bullets and shotshells is beneficial to wildlife and safer when we put game on the table,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife (VTF&W) Commisioner Jason Batchelder. Read the full story.

A lot of you have been telling us that you are no longer able to watch Instagram videos (bastards!). As such, we’re going to do our very best to include a YouTube link where we can. Happy viewing and thanks for letting us know!

🤔 There’s a lot going on in this video. Upon further review, it looks like this fella might have been tangled up in some barbed wire or fencing and exhausted himself.

On the other hand, he could be sick as all hell…

Watch on YouTube.

What says you? ⬇️

The pull of the weekend.

📸 by: @gregharlowmedia

Oh, and one more thing…