Young Fisherman Loses Hand in Florida Gator Attack Amid Spike in Incidents 🐊

As we continue to slowly but surely inch back towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

KID IS TOUGH AS NAILS
11-YEAR-OLD PENNSYLVANIA BOY LOSES HAND IN FLORIDA GATOR ATTACK AMID SPIKE IN INCIDENTS

An 11-year-old boy from Juniata County, Pennsylvania, is facing a long recovery after losing his right hand in a sudden alligator attack during a family fishing trip in central Florida.

Brodie was fishing with his father at Nelson’s Fish Camp near Umatilla in Marion County on June 27 when the roughly 8-foot-7-inch gator struck as he released a fish back into the water. The boy’s father jumped in to fight the animal, but the death roll shattered bones in Brodie’s arm and severed part of his hand…

🐻 Grizzly Suspected in Brutal Attack on Montana Ranch Horse, Feds Remain Skeptical. A central Montana rancher near Lewistown claims a grizzly bear attacked one of her working quarter horses last month, leaving deep gashes on the mare’s face and flank. Leah LaTray found the 8-year-old mare standing alone in willows with maggots in her wounds days after the suspected attack that she believes took place around June 16th. Two veterinarians who examined the horse agreed the injuries looked consistent with a bear attack, and LaTray noted a young grizzly had been spotted crossing onto her property just days earlier.

USDA Wildlife Services investigator Kraig Glazier inspected the scene and disputed the grizzly theory. He suggested the horse may have run into something sharp and pointed to the lack of typical bite wounds on the withers, arguing bears usually try to climb atop prey. LaTray countered that her athletic horse could have spun and kicked the bear, and that a surprise encounter in thick cover might explain claw injuries rather than a full predatory attack.

The incident continues to showcase the ever-expanding range of grizzlies in the state of Montana. LaTray’s ranch lies more than 100 miles from the Rocky Mountain core population, yet bears are increasingly showing up in prairie country on their own. Neighbors have reported bear issues, raising concerns for livestock and safety as grizzlies continue their eastward push. The horse is expected to recover.

👩‍⚖️ Federal Court Vacates Kodiak Refuge Guiding Permit, Orders Do-Over. In a July 1st ruling, U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s award of a big game guiding permit for the KOD-25 area of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. The consolidated cases were brought by veteran Alaska registered guides Lance Kronberger of Freelance Outdoor Adventures and John Rydeen, who challenged the agency’s selection of Michael Zweng of Alaska Adventure Safaris. The court found multiple instances where FWS’s decision was arbitrary and capricious, including shortcomings in how the agency scored and explained key factors such as applicant experience, knowledge of the specific area, safety plans, and spike camp proposals.

Judge Gleason criticized the Refuge Manager’s and Regional Director’s documentation for failing to provide a rational connection between the facts and the choice of Zweng, despite panel scores ranking all three applicants as “best qualified.” While the court noted that Zweng was not required to be disqualified, it determined the agency did not adequately follow its own prospectus criteria or justify overriding the incumbents’ deep local familiarity with KOD-25. The permit decision was remanded for new scoring of the original applications and a fresh selection by September 1, 2026.

🎣 Georgia Angler Sets New Idaho State Record with 30.5-Inch Brown Trout. A Georgia angler reeled in the fish of a lifetime on Idaho’s South Fork of the Snake River, setting a new state catch-and-release record for brown trout. On May 30th, Caroline Langdale, fishing with guide Ed Emory of South Fork Lodge, battled a massive 30.5-inch brown trout for about 10 minutes before landing, measuring, and releasing it. The fish topped the previous record of 30 inches that was set back in 2016.

Langdale called it a “blessing from God,” saying she never dreamed the day would end with a state record. Idaho maintains separate records for catch-and-release (length) and certified weight, making this an official pending entry in the books.

🏈 Prepping for fall football starts in the summer. Watch as this Evergreen, CO football field is filled with elk ahead of this year’s football season.

Wait and see how ornery these boys are in September…

Oh, and one more thing…