http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news T-Bone Blog en http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/new-york-drivers-license-might-also-be-its-hunting-license You know the feeling. You’re digging around in your wallet, looking for that one permit, among all permits, to show to the game warden. You know it’s in there – just like that motor vehicle registration is somewhere in the glove compartment of your truck.  United States Winter Big Game Entertainment Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:20:20 +0000 babbs 45217 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/check-your-armed-sock-monkeys-choke-tubes-and-gun-magazines-when-flying We bet Phyllis May will not be packing heat on her custom-made sock monkeys any longer after her ordeal in the St. Louis airport recently. May, a sock monkey maker, tried to get through security with a monkey dressed like John Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn, "Rooster Monkburn," when a TSA agent noticed the monkey's 2-inch toy revolver mixed in with May's sewing supplies.  United States Entertainment Tue, 17 Dec 2013 14:49:22 +0000 babbs 44839 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/time-magazine-cover-story-advocates-hunting Time magazine’s Dec. 9 cover story shocked many of its readers, but delighted those readers who hunt. “America’s Pest Problem: It’s Time to Cull the Herd,” written by David Von Drehle, suggests we need stronger, science-based wildlife management solutions to reduce the overpopulation of wildlife in this country. North America United States Fall Entertainment Wed, 11 Dec 2013 14:31:50 +0000 babbs 44785 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/when-drones-fly-pigs-die Pigs aren’t flying yet, but drones to find feral pigs are flying in Louisiana and might be made legal in your neck of the hunting woods soon. North America United States Winter Hog Entertainment Mon, 09 Dec 2013 15:23:25 +0000 babbs 44707 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/is-melissa-bachman-suffering-the-palin-effect Melissa Bachman might be the hunting world’s equivalent of Sarah Palin. Many of you know her from her television show, “Winchester Deadly Passion.” Some of you may remember when National Geographic booted her off its reality TV show, “Alaskan Survival" because of viewer outrage regarding her hunting practices.   Africa Fall Big Game Rifle Entertainment Mon, 18 Nov 2013 17:52:30 +0000 babbs 44409 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/10-common-wildlife-violations The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently issued its top 10 list of wildlife violations from information gleaned during the 2012 hunting seasons. We realize that regulations vary extensively from one state to the next. Baiting laws and blaze orange requirements are two big standouts on this list. Overall, though, most of these violations will get you in trouble wherever you're hunting, and they're all easily avoided. United States Fall Whitetail Deer Entertainment Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:58:43 +0000 babbs 44302 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/should-drones-be-outlawed-for-hunting Imagine a drone that looks like a hummingbird surveying a herd of elk somewhere in the West. Then imagine that an outfitter is piloting that drone, and leads his client into the area where the elk are bedded. Is this ethical? It's not fair chase, that's for sure. United States Fall Entertainment Sat, 09 Nov 2013 01:52:38 +0000 babbs 44214 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/outdoor-news-roundup-csi-new-mexico-a-congresswomans-stolen-ar-and-peta-hat From solving dead elk mysteries to talking smack about the Duck Commanders to closing the wolf season early in Wisconsin to leaving an AR unsecured, this has been an interesting week of outdoor news. Mystery of the dead elk cleared up  United States Fall Entertainment Thu, 31 Oct 2013 16:10:07 +0000 babbs 44038 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/should-sharpshooters-be-allowed-to-sell-venison On Oct. 7, The Wildlife Society met in Milwaukee at its annual conference and brought up the topic of allowing limited selling of wild venison. United States Fall Whitetail Deer Entertainment Fri, 25 Oct 2013 15:08:35 +0000 babbs 43862 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/feral-cat-update-from-virginia-to-california-problems-abound Whether it’s sneaking out cats to release in the wild from a humane shelter or making large metropolitan areas cat-friendly cities, this country struggles to deal with the feral cat explosion that not only affects urban living, but also wildlife habitat.Who let the cats out?  United States Fall Entertainment Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:04:33 +0000 babbs 43776 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/california-bans-all-lead-ammo-for-hunting Even though California’s game wardens opposed a bill banning lead ammunition for hunting, Gov. Jerry Brown signed it into law on Oct. 11. The governor signed 10 other bills that made gun-control advocates happy and vetoed 7.  United States Fall Entertainment Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:49:02 +0000 babbs 43754 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/get-ready-for-the-locavore-explosion-in-hunting More people are hunting for meat. And they’re not the folks who are on furlough, or laid off because of the economy’s poor performance these past few years. Classified as locavores, these people have come to realize that wild game is healthy and that the entire process, from field to fork, can be enjoyable and feels natural.  United States Fall Big Game Entertainment Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:59:30 +0000 babbs 43646 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/all-about-urban-bowhunting You’ve seen them, I’m sure. Deer in your city parks, munching on foliage, eating acorns and not using the pedestrian crossing lanes when traveling. So has the city of Cincinnati, and for the past five years, it has cordoned off selected areas in its parks for bowhunters.  United States Fall Whitetail Deer Bowhunting Entertainment Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:18:12 +0000 babbs 43569 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/government-shutdown-honors-no-seasons The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suspended most of its programs and operations on Oct. 1 because of the government shutdown as a result of Congress’s failure to pass a budget.   United States Fall Entertainment Wed, 02 Oct 2013 21:11:37 +0000 babbs 43541 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/duck-commanders-hunting-greenbacks Go ahead. Google “Duck Dynasty” and see if you don’t get more than 57 million options. It seems like everything this family touches these days turns into gold. North America Entertainment Thu, 19 Sep 2013 17:08:52 +0000 babbs 42941 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/mystery-continues-in-death-of-new-mexico-elk-herd At the end of August, the outdoor world reeled when it heard the news that 100 elk were found dead in a 1-mile area about 20 miles north of Las Vegas in Unit 46 of New Mexico. United States Elk Entertainment Sat, 14 Sep 2013 02:46:44 +0000 babbs 42866 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/wisconsin-set-to-change-rescued-deer-laws You might remember the stories of Charlotte and Giggles, two orphaned fawns that made headlines in Wisconsin.  United States Fall Whitetail Deer Entertainment Tue, 10 Sep 2013 16:07:17 +0000 babbs 42778 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/bill-would-tax-ammo-at-50-percent On Aug. 2, Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) and Rep. United States Summer Entertainment Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:09:11 +0000 babbs 42573 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/wandering-wolves-and-the-coywolf-debate In mid-August, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Natural Resources issued a release verifying that a Hart County predator hunter shot a federally endangered  wolf last March. United States Predators & Small Game Rifle Entertainment Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:02:31 +0000 babbs 42542 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/tenants-get-to-keep-their-guns-in-colorado-apartment-complex What would you do if you were living in an apartment complex on a fixed income, minding your own business, and the management decided to change its policy on guns? United States Summer Entertainment Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:25:25 +0000 babbs 42216 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/washington-states-new-hunting-regs-dont-punch-an-octopus-in-public In response to the outrage from the general public regarding a man who killed an octopus last October, the Washington Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)  Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 2 to prohibit recreational hunting at seven scuba diving sites in the Puget Sound area.  United States Summer Entertainment Wed, 07 Aug 2013 18:23:12 +0000 babbs 42198 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/are-some-publications-too-good-for-phil-robertsons-best-selling-book You gotta admit ... it must be fun for big city writers to fashion book reviews about Duck Commander Phil Robertson’s new book titled “Happy, Happy, Happy.” That is, if they review it at all. If they do review it, they can get their little jabs in at a backwoods, redneck, God-fearing guy, while in the meantime, Phil is laughing happy, happy, happy all the way to the bank.  United States Summer Waterfowl Entertainment Mon, 05 Aug 2013 15:31:31 +0000 babbs 42172 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/kentucky-introduces-bowhunting-program-for-schools Last year, the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources introduced a program called Explore Bowhunting to its lineup of education courses. United States Summer Bowhunting Entertainment Wed, 31 Jul 2013 13:49:19 +0000 babbs 42029 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/world-champion-squirrel-cook-off-needs-cooks Arkansas.  United States Fall Squirrel Entertainment Wed, 24 Jul 2013 16:12:48 +0000 babbs 41931 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/what-s-up-with-wolf-hunting It seems like every week, there’s a new piece of news about wolf hunting. Someone’s trying to stop it. Agencies struggle to manage it. Hunters are planning hunts around new seasons.  United States Summer Predators & Small Game Entertainment Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:03:48 +0000 babbs 41912 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/new-jersey-town-to-decide-on-crossbows-or-guns-for-upcoming-urban-season West Caldwell, New Jersey, has a problem similar to lots of other places in this country: too many deer within its city limits. The city council, as reported in "The Progress," met on July 2 to begin discussions about how to hold an urban deer hunt.  United States Fall Whitetail Deer Crossbow Entertainment Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:54:49 +0000 babbs 41820 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/missouri-to-hold-first-elk-hunt-in-2016 If all goes as planned with Missouri’s elk herd, there should be enough of them in 2016 for an elk hunt.  According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), if the elk herd doubles from its size of 100 to 200, the department will issue a “few” permits for hunting them. If the herd grows to 400 or 500 elk, it will issue about 30 permits. United States Summer Elk Entertainment Fri, 12 Jul 2013 15:49:38 +0000 babbs 41778 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/tax-deductions-for-wild-game-donations Sometimes there’s a breath of fresh air coming from the U.S. Senate, and this one comes in the form of a federal tax deduction for venison and other wild game donations to charitable organizations. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Sens. United States Summer Whitetail Deer Entertainment Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:34:31 +0000 babbs 41752 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-look-at-first-time-gun-owners United States Entertainment Tue, 02 Jul 2013 17:11:16 +0000 babbs 41618 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/new-game-donation-laws-passed-in-louisiana On June 16, Louisiana’s Gov. Bobby Jindal signed two bills stemming from the outrage last February when a Shreveport rescue mission tossed 1,600 pounds of donated venison into a dumpster. United States Waterfowl Entertainment Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:38:23 +0000 babbs 41520 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/sneak-peek-at-new-fred-bear-documentary Many bow manufacturers can tout something that makes them unique, be it a breakthrough design, a trend-setting innovation, or even just a storied company history. But only one company can claim Fred Bear.In celebration of Bear Archery’s 80th anniversary, Realtree’s own Bill Jordan and David Blanton will join a cast of fellow outdoorsmen in a one-hour special called, "Fred Bear: Father of Bowhunting," which will air tomorrow, June 21, from 7 to 8 p.m., EDT, on The Sportsman Channel. Summer Bowhunting Entertainment Thu, 20 Jun 2013 17:27:52 +0000 41474 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/facebook-poacher-lineup If you are on Facebook, we have two pieces of advice for you. One, find and like Realtree's Facebook Page, if you haven't already. And two, keep your eyes open for big-mouthed poachers. It seems a growing number of them are bragging about various wildlife violations on the social media site, and wildlife enforcement officers are responding in turn. Check out this lineup of poachers caught on Facebook.Florida United States Entertainment Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:21:16 +0000 babbs 41370 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/when-the-public-howls-about-wolf-hunting-should-wildlife-agencies-listen Please enlighten me. Has it always been this way or does it appear that John Q. Public is sticking his nose into wildlife management more than ever these days?  United States Summer Predators & Small Game Entertainment Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:21:03 +0000 babbs 41322 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunting-practices-male-lions-are-from-mars-lionesses-are-from-venus They stand on mountains and look down on their subjects in Disney films and appear to laze around in the shade in those National Geographic videos while the females chase down the slowest gazelle on the plains, but guess what? African male lions hunt. They just hunt differently than lionesses do.  United States Spring African Big Game Entertainment Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:11:54 +0000 babbs 41300 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/federal-judge-says-keep-lead-in-ammo-but-californians-consider-taking-it-ou There's good news and there's bad news regarding the topic of banning lead in traditional ammo for hunting.The Good News Summer Entertainment Thu, 30 May 2013 14:58:45 +0000 babbs 41279 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/pennsylvania-couple-opens-home-hearts-and-hunting-grounds-for-wounded-veter When Ed Fisher retired from the Army a few years ago, he wanted to give back to fellow veterans who had been wounded in the line of duty. He, along with his wife and his brother and sister-in-law, launched a charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization. LEEK stands for Lew, Ed, Eileen and Kate – the founders. United States Summer Entertainment Wed, 22 May 2013 18:11:10 +0000 babbs 41214 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/alexander-we-dont-need-big-brother-holding-our-hand-while-were-fishing "We don't need a big brother holding our hand while we're fishing down in Tennessee,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) to Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Work, in a taped hearing on May 8 regarding the Corps of Engineers’ new policy to prohibit fishing near dam tailraces on the Cumberland River. United States Spring Freshwater Fish Entertainment Wed, 15 May 2013 14:19:11 +0000 babbs 41121 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/rmef-urges-full-transparency-for-conservation-groups The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) raised the bar in the world of big game permit auctions and also challenged other conservation organizations to put forth full disclosure on their financial reports.  United States Spring Elk Entertainment Mon, 13 May 2013 13:17:00 +0000 babbs 41088 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/open-unless-closed-pivotal-piece-of-new-hunting-heritage-act Remember the Sportsmen's Act fiasco last year? You know, when sportsmen and conservation groups from across the land united to approve significant changes to managing our habitat, including raising the duck stamp from $10 to $25?  United States Spring Entertainment Thu, 09 May 2013 13:15:04 +0000 babbs 41065 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/twra-tells-corps-of-engineers-it-will-not-enforce-restrictions-on-fishing-o At the end of April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not endear itself to anglers who like to fish near tailraces of 10 dams on the Cumberland River. North America Summer Freshwater Fish Entertainment Tue, 07 May 2013 12:47:53 +0000 babbs 41015 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/maine-asks-its-intangibles-to-keep-watch-for-lpdv-in-turkeys The older I get, the more I realize the value of the word “intangible.” When the state of Maine asks its turkey hunters to report back about a virus in its flocks of wild turkeys, then it is banking on the intangible rewards of having boots on the ground and eyes on the prize from its force of hunters out there right now in the woods.  United States Spring Turkey Entertainment Wed, 01 May 2013 14:04:52 +0000 babbs 41009 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/pigs-r-us-why-the-country-can-t-make-up-its-mind-about-feral-hog-control When feral pigs make it into the New York Times, you know they have become a problem. When the NYT editors actually use the word “pest” in that headline, then, game’s on. Now, the rest of the world knows what we’ve known for years. Feral pigs are invading our country and hardly anyone cares.  United States Hog Entertainment Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:47:08 +0000 babbs 40982 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/illinois-house-endorses-proposal-to-criminalize-peta-drones On April 8, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a press release indicating it was in the market for a few good drones in order to stalk hunters. United States Entertainment Sat, 20 Apr 2013 01:12:36 +0000 babbs 40851 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/peta-wants-to-stalk-hunters-with-drones People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants to use aerial drones to watch you while you’re out hunting. How's that sit with you? United States Entertainment Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:58:36 +0000 babbs 40674 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/west-virginia-senator-wants-to-address-hunting-access-problems “Hunting and fishing are part of the culture in southern West Virginia and many people can’t go,” said freshman State Senator Dan Hall, from Wyoming, W.V. He has received calls from his constituents, who complain about no access to hunting and fishing in their part of the state.  United States Spring Entertainment Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:18:53 +0000 babbs 40634 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/pups-bills-bite-worse-than-its-bark If the federal Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) legislation is passed, individuals who raise and sell a few litters of hunting dogs per year may soon be under the same scrutiny as high-volume dog breeders. United States Upland Birds Entertainment Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:49:57 +0000 babbs 40394 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/kansas-says-yes-to-crossbows-and-more-ammo-choices-for-deer-and-turkey-hunt On March 24, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism voted 5 to 0 to allow several liberal changes in the state’s wildlife regulations, including expanding crossbow use and ammo choices for deer and turkey hunters.  United States Whitetail Deer Crossbow Entertainment Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:23:14 +0000 babbs 40484 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/is-california-moving-toward-being-an-ammo-free-state It’s been in the making for a long time – the recent news that California’s legislature is going to consider banning lead ammunition. United States Hand Gun Rifle Entertainment Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:33:06 +0000 babbs 40267 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/usfws-considers-petition-from-anti-hunting-groups-to-shut-down-african-lion The New York Times recently ran an Op-ed piece by Alexander N. Songorwa, who is director of wildlife for the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. United States Big Game Entertainment Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:29:43 +0000 babbs 40339 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/woman-who-tried-to-arrange-fur-murder-set-free During the past few years, it appears that animal rights activists who oppose the wearing of furs are getting more violent and bold. Take, for example, the recent case of Meredith Lowell. United States Winter Entertainment Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:54:17 +0000 babbs 40225 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/homework-for-hunters-read-hunting-in-america We know why we do it. We love hunting and its tradition. But, sometimes, you need facts and figures to back up your passion -- such as when you’re trying to tell that guy sitting next to you on the plane about why you hunt, or that mom at soccer practice about your venison meatloaf recipe. It helps to do a little homework and it only takes a few minutes of your time, thanks to a recent report by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).  United States Entertainment Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:28:55 +0000 babbs 40141 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/outrage-over-discarded-venison-at-Louisiana-homeless-shelter Venison may be royal fare in Europe, but in the United States, it’s not good enough for the indigent in Louisiana.  United States Winter Whitetail Deer Entertainment Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:36:50 +0000 babbs 40069 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/ammo-shortage-simple-demand-corporate-greed-or-government-conspiracy It should be easy to figure out why shelves at local gun stores do not have ammunition.  United States Spring Entertainment Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:10:48 +0000 babbs 39997 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/saving-the-alaskan-brant-means-no-emergency-road-for-tribe Welcome to Washington, Sally Jewell. You haven’t even been confirmed as the new Secretary of the Interior and already, politics are coming into play that may hold up this process. Jewell comes to the post with experience as the chief executive of Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) and commercial banker.  United States Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:10:47 +0000 babbs 39877 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-win-for-conservation-california-coyote-drive-2013-allowed “I’ve seen what coyotes do to calves and lambs. They eat them alive,” said Jenifer Adams, who grew up on a ranch in northern California near where the 7th Annual Coyote Drive is slated for this coming weekend, from Feb. 8 to 10. Adams returns yearly to attend the event and to support the locals.  United States Winter Predators & Small Game Entertainment Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:18:24 +0000 babbs 39809 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/californians-quash-predator-hunting-clinic Oh, California. Just when the rest of the country looks to the west and shakes our collective heads at your latest decree, you bring forth yet another – or two. The Golden State, where democracy rules the wild kingdom and city slickers without an ounce of outdoor know-how get whipped up into emotional frenzies, led by anti-hunting groups such as the Humane Society of the United States. United States Winter Predators & Small Game Entertainment Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:07:38 +0000 babbs 39714 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/rocky-mountain-elk-foundation-sees-record-membership-growth "What’s going on … well, right now we’v United States Winter Elk Entertainment Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:22:33 +0000 babbs 39664 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/wolves-in-hsus-clothing-try-to-derail-michigan-wolf-hunt Guess who’s back in town, stirring up anti-hunters in Michigan with simplistic, emotional and erroneous information on a new website, “Keep Wolves Protected?” Why, it’s Wayne Pacelle, the head of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and his pack of litigious liars.  Winter Predators & Small Game Entertainment Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:18:50 +0000 babbs 39595 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-coupon-for-roadkill-in-wyoming We all know the drill when it comes to roadkill. If it’s worth retrieving, you have to make sure you follow protocol according to your state’s wildlife agency.  And, rightly so.  Entertainment Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:40:15 +0000 babbs 39529 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/that-dog-can-hunt-he-just-can-t-train Oh for crying out loud (again). The Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal reported that a Dane County Judge, Peter Anderson, recently ruled that dogs could be used in future Wisconsin wolf hunts. Here’s the strange part; they just cannot train for these hunts. United States Winter Predators & Small Game Entertainment Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:15:22 +0000 babbs 39337 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/colorado-looks-at-adding-fee-for-state-background-checks If you buy a firearm in Colorado, of course the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) must clear you in a background check, just like everywhere else in this country. You must also be cleared by Colorado’s own Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in a duplicate background check. As one of 12 states currently running an additional check on gun purchasers, Colorado has been picking up the $10.50 tab for each check, at a cost of almost $2 million annually. United States Rifle Entertainment Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:11:17 +0000 babbs 39168 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/michigan-s-wolves-and-montana-s-grizzlies-might-be-in-season-soon When Gov. Rick Snyder signed the law on Dec. 28, 2012, authorizing the Natural Resources Commission to set a wolf-hunting season, he also unleashed a predictable reaction from anti-hunters. The Humane Society of the United States threatened a lawsuit. North America Winter Big Game Entertainment Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:31:35 +0000 babbs 39141 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/cuomo-vetoes-crossbow-bill On Mon., Dec. 17, Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed Bill A10583, which extended crossbow use for two years during the regular firearms and late muzzleloader big game seasons. If passed, the bill would have allowed for crossbow hunting during fall gun seasons only. United States Whitetail Deer Crossbow Entertainment Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:37:05 +0000 babbs 38935 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/is-kate-wong-wrong-about-the-python-challenge Sometimes, you can learn a lot from the comments that follow an online story (even here on Realtree.com). Often entertaining, sometimes educational, these posts usually swing from one end of the opinion spectrum to the other, no matter what the subject.  United States Winter Predators & Small Game Entertainment Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:58:11 +0000 babbs 38798 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/and-no-partridge-in-a-pear-tree You’ve heard the words at least a hundred times, but really, can you remember all 12 items in the popular, 200-year-old English Christmas song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas?” Who’s dancing again, the lords or the maids? Almost everyone, though, remembers the last line, “and a partridge in a pear tree.”  Europe Winter Entertainment Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:24:32 +0000 babbs 38727 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/wisconsin-rethinks-opening-all-state-parks-to-hunting Last year, the Wisconsin legislature passed the Sporting Heritage bill. Some of the measures in the bill included a $5 license to first-time hunters and trappers, online hunter education and trapper courses and opening all state parks to hunting and trapping.  United States Winter Entertainment Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:46:43 +0000 babbs 38705 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/whats-really-keeping-hunters-away-from-southern-arizona This headline caught my eye: "Only on Fox (Tucson, Ariz.), Tucson Border Activity Has Hunters Avoiding Southern Arizona." United States Winter Big Game Entertainment Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:29:15 +0000 babbs 38533 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hooray-for-hunting-magazines-gun-sales-wolves-and-miranda-lambert Hooray! On the heels of an election that many hunters feel could bring changes to where and how we hunt, there is good news. After all, we are going into the holiday season.  United States Fall Entertainment Wed, 21 Nov 2012 02:58:18 +0000 babbs 38365 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/polar-bears-lead-the-pack-for-sportsmens-act Now that the election’s over and Congress is back doing the work of the people, which really ought to include a budget, I am somewhat heartened by the news coming to us – but also wondering why it took them so long.  United States Fall Bear Entertainment Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:23:49 +0000 babbs 38230 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/no-deer-dogging-allowed-on-kisatchie-national-forest On Nov. 10, the U.S. Forest Service put a stop to deer hunting with dogs in the Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana. The move overrides the decision by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to allow nine deer-dog hunting days in December 2012. I have to admit, at first glance, I thought this might be another Federal in-your-face-to-the-state reaction provoked by anti-hunters, but after digging a little deeper, I understand the reasoning behind the move. Frankly, I’m wondering why the LWF Commission didn’t see this writing on the wall. United States Fall Whitetail Deer Entertainment Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:58:41 +0000 babbs 38203 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/gun-sales-on-the-rise-after-election Wonder of all wonders … here we go again. After the election on Nov. 6, many American gun-store owners have been reporting that they’re seeing increases in sales of guns and ammo. They say it’s because people fear measures will be enacted that limit their abilities to purchase firearms.  North America United States Entertainment Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:10:06 +0000 babbs 38110 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/right-to-hunt-passes-in-three-states Voters passed “Right to Hunt” ballot measures in Idaho, Kentucky and Nebraska on Tues., Nov. 6. These three states join 13 other states that have included hunting as a constitutional right. Wyoming also voted on this measure, but at the time I write this, we have yet to know if it passed. United States Fall Entertainment Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:09:57 +0000 babbs 38069 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/what-were-they-thinking Welcome to the head-scratching world of “what were they thinking?” This is a little round up of outdoor news from last week that is sure to make for interesting conversation or maybe even a heated discussion later.  United States Entertainment Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:53:40 +0000 babbs 37733 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunters-excise-taxes-to-pay-down-national-debt In the midst of this busy political season, it’s easy for some things to get pushed aside, swept under the big carpet, hidden somewhere on that “elephant in the room.” Imagine my surprise when I read this headline, out of an Arizona publication, Sedona.biz,  “Federal government targets sportsmen’s dollars to reduce deficit.” United States Entertainment Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:44:17 +0000 babbs 37674 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/vote-for-guns-or-not Adventure Outdoors, located in Smyrna, Ga., is holding a raffle for voters … and non-voters. But they are promoting it in a message on eight local billboards that tell folks to bring in their “I voted” stickers to enter the store raffle for either a GLOCK handgun or a Browning rifle.  United States Fall Entertainment Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:37:20 +0000 babbs 37543 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/raccoons-invade-new-york-city Who you gonna call in New York City when you see another raccoon trying to break into your trashcan?Call 311. It’s a special line set up by the city and when you call it, they’ll tell you to call a private exterminator. In other words, “Not our problem!” United States Entertainment Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:32:55 +0000 babbs 37246 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/babbs-on-lead-ammo-bans It’s not easy to be a sportsman, to participate in the great tradition of hunting. Not only do we juggle day jobs, family lives and community involvement, we also squeeze in time for hunting preparations, actual hunting and the follow-up tasks associated with hunting, such as meat processing.  North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:28:32 +0000 babbs 37209 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/game-not-on-in-california-any-more When Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed a bill last week banning hunting with hounds for bears and bobcats, he also signed legislation approving a name change – replacing the word “Game” with “Wildlife”  for the state's game and fish department. The California Department of Fish and Game will soon become the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  United States Fall Big Game Entertainment Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:39:48 +0000 babbs 37184 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/barney-fife-s-itchy-trigger-finger-in-philadelphia It’s always national news when someone accidentally carries a gun into an airport. United States Entertainment Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:22:32 +0000 babbs 37163 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/why-hush-hush-on-hantavirus Unless you’ve been hiding in a cabin in Curry Village at Yosemite National Park all summer … oh wait, that’s where you might have picked up the rare virus called hantavirus. Unless you’ve not turned on your radio or television or read news online (or in that old-fashioned print format), you might not know about mouse-borne hantavirus.At least nine visitors to Yosemite, who stayed in the park’s cabins, this summer contracted an infection from the virus. Three died. United States Fall Entertainment Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:01:47 +0000 babbs 37121 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/survey-says-more-hunting-in-28-states There is more good news for hunters and our efforts to increase our ranks. According to results of the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation State Overview Report, participation in hunting increased in 28 states between 2006 and 2011. This report is the second in a series of reports released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  United States Predators & Small Game Entertainment Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:36:42 +0000 babbs 37004 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/getting-the-lead-out-of-hunting-in-arizona This headline caught my attention: Environmentalists sue to block lead ammo they say threatens condors.  United States Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:55:50 +0000 babbs 36992 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/beaver-attacks-old-lady I’m not sure I would want to be remembered as "that old lady that got attacked by a rabid beaver." We’ve all done things in the outdoors that looking back on, we might think we’re glad it turned out all right. Like the time I hunted for a television show (not Realtree) and agreed to sit under a big tree by a rushing creek while a thunder and lightning storm passed over. I could just hear my kids saying, “Yeah, my mom … she was hit by lightning because she sat under a tree in a storm holding a long metal rod (aka, shotgun barrel).”  United States Furbearers Entertainment Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:08:14 +0000 babbs 36955 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/the-farm-bill-and-you It’s getting lost in the election shuffle and forgotten about by the mainstream media. The Farm Bill sits somewhere in Congress, awaiting an opportunity to be voted on in this session, sometime before Sept. 30. And while we may not think the Farm Bill affects anyone but farmers, a closer look at the bill reveals otherwise. For hunters and other conservationists, the bill comes packed with a financial punch for projects that enhance habitat nationwide.  United States Entertainment Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:22:22 +0000 babbs 36949 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/anti-hunters-howling-about-wolves Wyoming will soon manage its wolf population. On Sept. 30, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will delist wolves in Wyoming as an endangered species. At last count, at the end of December 2011, Wyoming had an estimated 328 wolves – 48 packs and 27 breeding pairs. When added to the northern Rocky Mountain wolf population, the number of adults wolves (1,774) and breeding pairs (109) more than exceeded population recovery goals for 10 consecutive years.  United States Fall Predators & Small Game Entertainment Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:43:57 +0000 babbs 36928 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/adding-insult-to-injury-in-california On Aug. 27 the California state legislature passed a bill that outlaws the use of dogs for hunting bears and bobcats, unless under special circumstances, namely for scientific research and depredation purposes. To add insult to injury, and in a transparent attempt to recoup losses that will be incurred when houndsmen aren’t hunting any longer, California could add a further tax, the Hound Tag Program. United States Big Game Rifle Entertainment Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:50:56 +0000 babbs 36904 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/operation-snake-pit-bites-hard Matues Dal Maso, Jr., found out the hard way that hiding 27 snakes in stereo speakers, with the intent to leave the country, does not work. On Aug. 23, Dal Maso attempted to smuggle 27 snakes – a ball python, seven boa constrictors and 19 various color morph corn snakes – out of the country from Orlando to Brazil. He purchased the snakes legally at the National Reptile Breeders Expo in Daytona a few days earlier. United States Entertainment Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:56:05 +0000 babbs 36845 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/australians-might-let-children-hunt-solo Australia might change a law to allow children as young as 12 to hunt alone. You know, like in the old days here in America, when Grandpa took his squirrel gun to school and hunted on the way home, or like you’ll find out in an upcoming R. Lee Ermey (Yes, the Gunny talks to Realtree!) interview, when he tells us he stashed his little squirrel gun in a culvert, got on the bus, got off the bus after school, retrieved the gun and hunted all the way home – so that his family could eat wild game.  Big Game Entertainment Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:16:58 +0000 babbs 36620 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/survey-says-hunter-numbers-up-9-percent According to a preliminary report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of the Interior, hunters increased their ranks from 12.5 million in 2006 to 13.7 million in 2011. The USFWS conducts a national survey, underwritten by Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid dollars, to survey Americans who hunt, fish and pursue outdoor recreation, such as bird watching. United States Entertainment Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:02:33 +0000 babbs 36622 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/taking-cheap-shots-at-olympian-cogdell By now, you’ve surely heard of Olympic trap shooter Corey Cogdell, a young woman who grew up shooting and hunting. She won a bronze medal in Beijing and recently competed in London.  United States Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:48:37 +0000 babbs 35397 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/can-we-bear-it Our pal, JR Absher, over at the Outdoor Pressroom, has been following bear activity throughout the country this summer. Almost every week, he finds another bear story where a nuisance bear enters human habitat and causes havoc.  United States Summer Bear Entertainment Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:37:32 +0000 babbs 35361 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/why-did-the-deer-cross-the-road Will Brantley sent me a news item that piqued my interest. After all, I’d just been up and down California’s Interstate 280 last week while visiting family in the Bay Area.It seems, according to Will Kane in the San Francisco Chronicle, that on average one deer gets hit every month while trying to cross this stretch.  North America Summer Mule Deer Entertainment Wed, 01 Aug 2012 23:48:56 +0000 babbs 35346 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/say-what-our-tax-dollars-pay-for-anti-hunting-crusades “Sportsmen and non-sportsmen alike should be appalled that their tax dollars are being given away to pay for frivolous lawsuits filed by anti-hunting and other activist organizations.” So states Jeremy Rine in a release from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.  North America Entertainment Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:55:51 +0000 babbs 35351 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/the-goat-man-calleth You just cannot make this stuff up. How could I not go right to this story when it came down the pike into my Google Alerts? “Goat Man in Utah Mountains Identified as Hunter.”  North America Mountain Goat Entertainment Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:49:30 +0000 babbs 35313 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunt-a-good-four-letter-word It’s our land. We just cannot get on it to hunt or fish.  United States Entertainment Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:36:47 +0000 babbs 35249 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-nevada-bear-trap-to-stop-hunting Bear with me, as we once again broach the topic of bear hunting in the West. Anti-hunting organizations in Nevada are trying to use the Endangered Species Act to stop bear hunting in a section of mountains.  United States Bear Entertainment Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:30:38 +0000 babbs 35222 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/your-bucks-help-more-than-ducks You know you gotta have one if you’re gonna hunt ducks. A Duck Stamp, right?  United States Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:54:22 +0000 babbs 35190 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/wolf-management-growing-pains Last January, when the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin got the word that wolves had been removed from the endangered species list, two states moved quickly to set hunting seasons in place for 2012. Of course, there has been pushback from the antis, but also concern from some Native American tribes who believe the wolf is sacred.   United States Fall Predators & Small Game Rifle Entertainment Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:54:44 +0000 babbs 35183 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/california-hunters-and-anglers-can-now-report-online California requires its hunters and anglers to report in and provide information about certain hunting and fishing activities – even if they do not take any game or fish in the process. Some news organizations outside of California are bemoaning this regulation, fearing that the "extra steps" may dissuade hunters and anglers from even purchasing permits in the first place. Actually, there are no new regulations, and this procedure has been standard for many years for some species. United States Big Game Entertainment Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:03:22 +0000 babbs 35152 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/new-bill-would-expand-public-hunting-access Last week, Southwick Huntersurvey.com released a poll that showed 23 percent of respondents claimed their access to hunting had been either restricted or off-limits last year. United States Entertainment Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:53:58 +0000 babbs 35144 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/educating-the-sportsman How can you not hear about the impending presidential election these days? It’s everywhere – on the bumper sticker in front of your car in traffic, on a billboard and in yet another piece of junk mail from a political party asking for a donation. And it's on every hour at the top of each news break at your favorite radio station. Or so it seems. United States Summer Entertainment Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:59:58 +0000 babbs 35102 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/changing-trends-public-land-use According to ScienceBlog, the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station just published a national study that shows more Americans are getting outdoors, but fewer are hunting and fishing while there. In fact, this report states that hunting and fishing numbers have either flattened or declined during the past decade.  United States Entertainment Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:33:15 +0000 babbs 35111 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hush-says-ban-on-sunday-hunting-an-infringement-of-right Some hunters in Pennsylvania are not taking the “you cannot hunt on Sunday” law without a fight. On May 7, a non-profit group banded together to form Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH). They vow to take their cause, i.e., their desire to hunt on Sundays, all the way to the state’s Supreme Court. United States Summer Entertainment Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:15:12 +0000 babbs 35095 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/are-feral-cats-an-environmental-threat We mentioned the problem that feral cats are causing in regard to the burgeoning coyote population in urban areas here recently – where it is reported that as much as 50 percent of the urban coyotes’ food source is feral cat. United States Predators & Small Game Entertainment Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:48:12 +0000 babbs 35070 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/national-take-your-daughter-to-the-range-day One of the saddest things I ever saw at a range was a boy, probably about 12, sitting behind a scoped rifle at a bench, struggling to look through the scope. He said, “Dad, all I can see is black.” And his dad said, “Well, I can see through it just fine."  United States Spring Rifle Entertainment Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:17:19 +0000 babbs 35038 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/pay-to-play If you do this, you might be like me. You'll start out reading a column about Colorado's mule deer population on the decline in certain areas and finish wondering if hunters and anglers should be the only ones supporting budgets of wildlife departments at state levels. United States Elk Entertainment Thu, 31 May 2012 13:23:10 +0000 babbs 34993 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/wolves-in-the-wall-street-journal When the federal government delisted wolves last year, it opened the doors for states to manage new hunting seasons and of course, for anti-hunters to protest these hunts. Minnesota will be holding its first wolf-hunting season this coming fall and winter. Wisconsin and Michigan have followed suit and also will hold wolf hunts. Minnesota has the largest population of wolves in the lower 48.  United States Fall Predators & Small Game Entertainment Wed, 30 May 2012 14:47:11 +0000 babbs 34982 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/all-night-long-hog-and-coyote-hunting-in-nc The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has proposed night hunting of feral hogs and coyotes -- with flashlights, on private lands only – as part of its plan to control two types of wild animals that are showing up in urban neighborhoods. State officials have been expanding rules on trapping and hunting coyotes and feral hogs, but believe they need to open hunting to nighttime, as well. If approved in July, the change will be effective Aug. 1. United States Hog Entertainment Mon, 21 May 2012 16:35:19 +0000 babbs 34966 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-test-disney-s-chicks-in-flicks I know. The demographics for this column largely swing to southeastern white males who hunt. But bear with me, because I bet a lot of you are fathers to young children, and therefore, we’ll see a lot of you heading to movie theaters with those little ones in tow this summer, when Disney delivers yet another princess to its esteemed line.  Traditional Bow Entertainment Thu, 10 May 2012 14:45:44 +0000 babbs 34931 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/bear-with-me-numbers-don-t-lie Lately, some of the responses to my blogposts about the New York Times’ Op-Ed on the NRA and California’s  Spring Bear Entertainment Wed, 09 May 2012 12:20:04 +0000 babbs 34921 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunting-license-increase-is-it-worth-it Minnesota’s Gov. Mark Dayton recently signed a bill that increased hunting and fishing license fees in the state. It’s not surprising that the state’s Department of Natural Resources favored the fee hike, and at last count, at least 60 conservation groups also approved the change. United States Spring Big Game Whitetail Deer Turkey Predators & Small Game Waterfowl Bowhunting Muzzleloader Rifle Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 07 May 2012 13:53:33 +0000 babbs 34902 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/getting-addled-about-goose-eggs New York, like other states blessed with waterfowl traffic, is getting goosed these days and it’s hurting, mainly due to destruction of the ecosystem by these birds. Although hunters take almost 100,000 Canada geese yearly in September, it’s not good enough. United States Spring Geese Entertainment Thu, 03 May 2012 22:55:45 +0000 babbs 34875 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/from-one-woman-hunter-to-another-do-your-homework-on-the-nra-first You’ve got to hand it to the New York Times to find a pro-gun control hunter to write an Op-Ed piece for its newspaper. Last week, Lily Raff McCaulou penned a poison piece for The Opinion Pages titled “I Hunt, but the N.R.A. Isn’t for Me.” She gave it her best shot, but she needs to pattern her gun, as she completely missed the target. United States Spring Big Game Whitetail Deer Turkey Hand Gun Rifle Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:23:31 +0000 babbs 34850 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/california-considers-banning-hunting-with-dogs At last count, 600 hunters who advocate using dogs to hunt bear and bobcat showed up for a hearing in Sacramento, Calif., on April 24 regarding the practice. About 200 antis, mainly from the Humane Society of the United States, also arrived on the scene. Big Game Bear Predators & Small Game Entertainment Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:01:06 +0000 babbs 34834 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/who-let-the-cats-out According to our pal, outdoor writer JR Absher, urban coyotes mainly are living off cats. United States Predators & Small Game Entertainment Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:41:59 +0000 babbs 34822 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/kudos-to-canada-for-killing-long-gun-registration Last week, Canada’s Senate voted 50-27 to kill a law called The Firearms Act that required registration of long-guns in the country. Said Tony Bernardo, of the Canadian Shooting Sport Association (CSSA), "We know the registry was a cheap political ploy from a previous government that pretended to keep Canadians safe. Canada Spring Rifle Entertainment Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:18:30 +0000 babbs 34740 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/too-hot-to-trot “Hey Hickoff … is it too hot too soon for good turkey hunting later?” I asked in a text message after hearing a cacophony of gobblers in the woods one morning in March here recently. Then, I heard them again at about 11 a.m.  United States Spring Turkey Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:21:05 +0000 babbs 34688 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/lets-give-the-gift-of-the-outdoors-to-our-disabled-veterans A bill has been introduced recently in the Michigan legislature that would provide free fishing and hunting licenses to disabled veterans. Presently, veterans who are 100-percent disabled may purchase hunting and fishing licenses for 60 percent off the price. The bill states that a disabled veteran qualifies if deemed (by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) totally and permanently disabled as a result of military service, or one who has been rated unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  United States Entertainment Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:42:49 +0000 babbs 34676 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/realtree-nursery-trees-now-available-at-walmart Realtree is in nurseries across the country, and no, I’m not talking about baby layettes and bedding ensembles like my little twin granddaughters' bedroom sports.  Spring Whitetail Deer Entertainment Mon, 02 Apr 2012 01:03:12 +0000 babbs 34667 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/the-dog-days-of-march March seems like the longest month of the year to me, for lots of reasons other than 31 days. It’s that time between the seasons. Trapping and hunting is kaput and we wait for turkeys to mate and squirrels to become fashionable (i.e., in season) again.  Entertainment Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:57:29 +0000 babbs 34651 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunters-and-accidents-adding-insult-to-injury A good law does two things. United States Rifle Entertainment Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:06:32 +0000 babbs 34616 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunger-games-and-bowhunting In case you spent last week commuting to work without the radio on, or out in the woods somewhere, you might not know that the movie “The Hunger Games” opened on March 23 to packed theaters across the country.  Traditional Bow Entertainment Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:59:43 +0000 babbs 34597 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/judge-says-no-to-blocking-youth-turkey-hunt-in-san-diego-county My, my … it’s been a couple of weeks now since we’ve visited California and its continual struggle with wildlife management, hasn’t it? Whenever I want to find the preposterous in outdoor news, I check with California or Illinois first.This week, there’s good news out of California. United States Spring Turkey Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:47:54 +0000 babbs 34568 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/kansas-kills-crossbows-for-archery-season In Kansas, the state legislature’s Senate committee voted 5-4 to table a bill that would have allowed crossbow hunting during archery season. Intended to aid in controlling the state’s burgeoning deer population, opening the bow season for crossbow users seemed to make sense, and of course, in the eyes of the legislature – cents!  United States Fall Whitetail Deer Crossbow Entertainment Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:51:01 +0000 babbs 34544 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/youth-who-hunt-and-shoot-can-positively-influen A new research project commissioned by the Hunting Heritage Trust and North America Spring Entertainment Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:00:42 +0000 babbs 34526 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/uncle-sam-grants-permission-to-native-american- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has granted a Native American tribe a permit to kill two bald eagles for religious purposes. Last year, the Wyoming-based Northern Arapaho tribe filed a federal lawsuit because it believes that when the government refuses to issue such permits, it is infringing on the tribe’s right to practice its religion.  North America Spring Entertainment Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:02:57 +0000 babbs 34515 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/the-truth-of-the-tail-and-donald-trump-in-afric “Donald Trump’s two sons went on a big game hunt in Africa, and the carnage they wrought has triggered outrage by wildlife enthusiasts.”  Africa Spring African Big Game Rifle Entertainment Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:44:20 +0000 babbs 34503 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/honey-i-pink-slimed-the-kids You know that if McDonald’s bans a food product, it can’t be good. Entertainment Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:38:06 +0000 babbs 34485 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/should-landowners-own-hunting-rights Landowners in Alaska may be allowed to manage game on their properties if the state legislature passes a bill that gives special rights to them to not only hunt big game out of season, but also, to sell hunting permits to whomever they want.  North America Big Game Entertainment Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:57:59 +0000 babbs 34469 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/survey-says-women-do-not-like-beards-on-men It’s official and scientific. Women don’t like beards on men. For all you guys that think you’re looking macho during hunting season – effectively killing two birds with one stone by hunting and looking attractive – you can scratch off the attractive part. United States Entertainment Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:35:12 +0000 babbs 34435 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/proposed-illinois-legislation-a-double-whammy-o It used to be that a lot of us in the gun world would say, “As goes California, so goes the USA.” But, lately I’ve been following what’s happening in Illinois and I wonder if it’s a forecast of what’s to come in the country, as anti-gun proponents get emboldened.   United States Spring Hand Gun Entertainment Sat, 03 Mar 2012 22:01:20 +0000 babbs 34417 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/california-antis-roaring-for-richards-head Words like sanctimonious and self-righteous and who-in-the-wide-world-of-the-outdoors do you think you are, California, came to mind when I saw a clip from Channel 7 news, an ABC affiliate out of San Francisco, featuring the story about the president of the California Fish and Game Commission and his recent out-of-state mountain lion hunt.  North America Winter Mountain Lion Entertainment Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:04:36 +0000 babbs 34368 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/void-the-foid I read the excitement between the lines of a message from my friend, a hunter in Illinois. She wrote, “Can you imagine? There exists a possibility that I might actually end up living in a state that doesn't require a freakin' FOID card? Please let this fly ... please ... please. It just burns me that all of you can own and buy firearms and cart them into and out of Illinois, but, oh no … I have to have a FOID card.”  Entertainment Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:59:09 +0000 babbs 34360 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/they-shoot-fish-don-t-they Last summer, I spent time bowfishing with some folks in southern Illinois on the Kaskaskia River. These people know what it means to be invaded by a wildlife species that is “exotic.” Every weekend, they’re out there – taking out more and more carp, trying to help the river restore its balance. But, really, to no avail. United States Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:39:10 +0000 babbs 34325 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/this-nasa-is-squirrelly The headline in my Google Alerts read, “NASA Assists Disabled Hunter.” Really? I had to see. So many experiments and theories have been tested in space. In the 54 years since President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Space Act, NASA has filed more than 6300 patents. So, yes, I was curious. Just what did NASA do to help disabled hunters? It turns out that there’s more than one NASA.  Squirrel Entertainment Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:54:49 +0000 babbs 34310 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hunters-should-be-trusted-to-carry-for-protecti It’s like an undercurrent in the country among hunters, particularly bowhunters. They want to know why their state legislators will not allow them to carry a firearm for personal protection while they are in the woods hunting.  North America Big Game Entertainment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:42:28 +0000 babbs 34301 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/isn-t-the-coyote-just-as-wily-as-the-gray-wolf Whenever a species of animal gets delisted, it’s a big deal. For almost 40 years, the federal Endangered Species Act has protected the gray wolf, and just recently, wolves came off the list in Wisconsin and other parts of the upper Midwest. That means these states can manage wolf kill permits, as well as hunting and trapping.  North America Winter Coyote Predators & Small Game Entertainment Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:54:26 +0000 babbs 34263 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/flush-when-you-see-bloomberg-and-menino If I lived in the Northeast, I’d definitely take my Super Bowl bathroom break when I saw a commercial featuring two middle-aged, gray-haired white guys sitting on a couch, wearing Giants and Patriots jerseys and neckties, mind you. Entertainment Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:14:42 +0000 babbs 34243 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/send-congress-to-elk-camp Kudos to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for hosting 160 students from Las Vegas schools at its annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation convention and expo. When the students arrive, they’ll get a short (I hope) lecture on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and then, they will visit booths and attractions and meet biologists, conservationists and maybe a few movie stars from outdoor TV. I’m sure they’ll hear plenty of elk bugling, too. North America Elk Rifle Entertainment Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:31:15 +0000 babbs 34242 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/who-let-the-snakes-out Are Burmese pythons decimating native Everglades wildlife? United States Winter Predators & Small Game Entertainment Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:07:06 +0000 babbs 34239 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/fair-chase-aside-should-exotics-be-here-in-the- I kept getting lost in the translation as I struggled to read an online segment from the popular CBS news program “60 Minutes.” By the time I got to page 4, I felt like I was watching a ping-pong tournament with multiple tables pushed together and an odd number of contestants. North America Winter Big Game Rifle Entertainment Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:36:11 +0000 babbs 34222 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/when-pigs-die-it-might-be-earth-day-in-guam The U.S. isn't the only nation with a feral hog problem. Guam is overrun with pork. Officials in Guam's government decided that this year's Earth Day celebration will include a feral hog hunting derby. North America Hog Bowhunting Entertainment Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:01:47 +0000 babbs 34211 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/ribeye-in-the-sky-blackens-kentucky-s-eye A scathing editorial in the Courier-Journal.com slams the inaugural season for Sandhill cranes and the writer appears proud that hunters punched only 50 out of 400 tickets. North America Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:38:39 +0000 babbs 34194 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/silence-is-legal-in-georgia A bill that would allow hunters to use sound suppressors on their guns currently sits in the Georgia Senate’s Natural Resources Committee. In an article for WALB, the President of Georgia Loan and Gun, Steven Drew, said, “A lot of people consider silencers or suppressors to be something only assassins or bad guys use. United States Winter Whitetail Deer Predators & Small Game Hand Gun Rifle Entertainment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:26:24 +0000 babbs 34162 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/kansas-city-best-urban-deer-hunting-in-the-coun Kansas City lays claim to several “bests.” Barbecue and the American Royal Pro Rodeo. Maybe even some of the best jazz in the world. But now? It’s claiming bragging rights to having the best “Urban Deer Hunting.” The Missouri Department of Conservation sanctioned an urban deer hunting program here for bowhunters in 2003. First, though, landowners must request permits from the department. Criteria for participation in the program include owning at least five acres and an inspection by a wildlife biologist. The property must be somewhat isolated. United States Winter Whitetail Deer Bowhunting Entertainment Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:26:27 +0000 babbs 34140 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/never-on-sunday  Eleven states do not allow Sunday hunting. With hunting numbers in decline in several states, and with the usual weekly two-day break occurring on Saturday and uh, Sunday, then we beg the question about Sunday hunting. United States Winter Big Game Entertainment Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:07:22 +0000 babbs 34127 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/meet-barbara-baird When Will Brantley asked if I’d be interested in handling the new Realtree Outdoor News blog, it took about half a second to think about the offer and reply, “Yes, please!” What a grand opportunity we all will have not only to learn more about what’s happening in the outdoor arena, but also to comment and to make a difference, too. United States Winter Whitetail Deer Entertainment Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:38:26 +0000 babbs 34093 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/new-mexico-county-plans-vote-on-animal-hunting-contests A county commissioner in New Mexico has had enough of hunting contests in her neck of the woods. During the past year, four contests targeting coyotes and prairie dogs – both varmints in the eyes of local ranchers – have been held in Valencia County. North America United States Winter Coyote Entertainment Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:28:46 +0000 babbs 44665 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/delaware-appoints-former-hsus-directorlobbyist-to-head-new-animal-welfare-d You’ve heard about the “enemy within?” Hunters and other conservationists in Delaware have reason for concern regarding the appointment of a former employee of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) as its director of Animal Welfare.  North America United States Fall Entertainment Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:54:40 +0000 babbs 44479 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/celebrate-national-hunting-and-fishing-day As this nation celebrates 42 years of National Hunting and Fishing Days on Sat., Sept. 28, I think about what hunting, shooting and fishing means to me. You see, hunting, shooting and fishing and writing about these lifestyle choices changed my life.  United States Fall Entertainment Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:21:21 +0000 babbs 43446 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/ohio-extends-daylight-shooting-hours-for-gunmuzzleloader-seasons Ohio deer hunters who hunt during the gun and muzzleloader seasons will get 1/2 hour longer to hunt each day, thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ modified regulations that changed quitting time from sunset to 1/2 hour after sunset.  United States Fall Whitetail Deer Bowhunting Entertainment Wed, 25 Sep 2013 16:24:56 +0000 babbs 43102 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/survey-says-deer-1-nuisance-problem-in-northeast In a survey conducted in September and October 2012 by Responsive Management titled “Public Attitudes Toward and Expectations Regarding Management of Wildlife Problems in the Northeast United States,” deer ranked as the #1 problem.  United States Fall Whitetail Deer Entertainment Mon, 23 Sep 2013 22:37:03 +0000 babbs 43076 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/second-guessing-the-experts-some-californians-skeptical-of-new-mountain-lio The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) has seen a decrease in the number of lethal removals of mountain lions in the state, and attributes this to its new policy that allows for non-lethal options. In a press release from Aug. 7, the CDFW Director Charlton H. United States Summer Predators & Small Game Entertainment Fri, 23 Aug 2013 19:00:00 +0000 babbs 42338 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/pure-michigan-hunt-the-ultimate-lottery-ticket-for-a-hunter Now in its 4th season, the Pure Michigan Hunt (PMH) offers an opportunity for three winners each to hunt for one bear, one spring turkey, one fall turkey, one antlerless deer, and if the winner is a resident, one elk. All three winners in 2011 tagged bull elk. Fall Big Game Entertainment Sat, 03 Aug 2013 11:22:38 +0000 babbs 42134 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/colorado-town-ponders-whether-to-offer-drone-hunting-licenses The good folks of Deer Trail, Colo., are pondering whether to put a new city ordinance on the books that would offer drone hunting licenses, along with bounties for unmanned aerial vehicles flying over the town’s airspace.  United States Summer Entertainment Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:48:25 +0000 babbs 41838 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/sci-squares-off-with-anti-hunting-groups-over-lion-debate There's yet another struggle between hunters and anti-hunters, this time on the topic of lion hunting in Africa. We first alerted Realtree readers to the brewhaha last March, which was sparked by a petition by anti-hunting groups to add the African lion to the Endangered Species Act, set in 2011. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a 60-day comment period that closed Jan. 28, 2013. Africa Summer African Big Game Entertainment Fri, 28 Jun 2013 15:34:44 +0000 babbs 41560 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/irs-playing-favorites-with-hsus The Internal Revenue Service is headline news these days, with recent revelations about its propensity to target certain political organizations and individuals who might exhibit a more conservative ideology. Last week, we found out about the possibility of favoritism from the IRS toward the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). United States Spring Entertainment Mon, 20 May 2013 16:11:39 +0000 babbs 41173 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/rmef-joins-other-conservation-groups-to-intervene-in-hsus-backed-wolf-suit The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) recently joined other conservation groups to intervene in a lawsuit aimed at returning gray wolves in the Great Lakes region to the Endangered Species Act.   United States Spring Entertainment Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:25:36 +0000 babbs 40915 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-dog-in-every-port-usfws-trains-first-canines-to-sniff-out-illegal-wildl-0 On April 4, four outstanding graduates from the US Fish & Wildlife’s first school for “wildlife detector dogs” left their training grounds and headed for assignments at key ports of entry in this country, along with their human handlers. Viper, Butter, Lander and Locket passed their course that prepares them to find illegal species in shipping boxes – such as elephant ivories and rhino horns.  United States Spring Entertainment Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:14:18 +0000 babbs 40896 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/new-york-squirrel-slam-will-proceed Now in its seventh year, a squirrel hunt fundraiser that raises money for a New York state fire department is coming under the, er, gun by anti-hunting groups. United States Winter Rifle Entertainment Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:06:51 +0000 babbs 39783 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/bob-costas-a-hoplophobes-havoc First, Fox News sports columnist Jason Whitlock wrote, "If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today." Then, NBC announcer Bob Costas, in his own half-time performance at the Chiefs and Panthers game last Sunday, United States Entertainment Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:50:51 +0000 babbs 38652 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/the-truth-behind-the-turkey-pardon President Barack Obama, in a time-honored executive tradition, pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys on Wed., Nov. 20, while at the North Portico of the White House. I heard that the turkeys spent the night before in a posh hotel in the D.C. area. The 40-plus-pound gobblers, named Cobbler and, uh, Gobbler, have been scheduled to appear with a camel named Aladdin at the Mount Vernon Christmas display. And then what?  United States Fall Turkey Entertainment Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:33:23 +0000 babbs 38409 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/gun-and-bullet-tax-proposed-for-cook-county Oh, Illinois. Land of Lincoln, big bucks and the most notorious and corrupt political machine in the country. So, it really comes as no surprise (And frankly, why hasn’t this been tried before?) that Cook County, with its county seat of Chicago, proposed a gun and bullet tax. United States Fall Entertainment Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:16:33 +0000 babbs 37483 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/uk-book-seller-puts-age-restriction-on-shooting-magazines Oh, for crying out loud (again)! Did you hear that Great Britain’s biggest newsagent, WH Smith, banned the sales of shooting magazines to children under 14, thanks to a campaign from animal rights activists? Under current UK law, children under 18 are banned from owning or buying a gun and under-14s must be supervised when using one. There is no minimum age, however, for holding a shotgun license in Britain. Europe Fall Entertainment Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:23:02 +0000 babbs 37342 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/say-what-paul-ryans-daughter-hunts Oh, for crying out loud. Breaking news, CNN. Rep. Paul Ryan, candidate on the GOP ticket for vice-president, took time out yesterday between campaign stops in Ohio to shop at a Bass Pro Shops store for camo for his 10-year-old daughter’s fall deer hunt. Some in Twitterville already are crying “child abuse!” Others are definitely looking down their noses and even, holding their noses.  United States Whitetail Deer Rifle Entertainment Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:52:37 +0000 babbs 37088 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/run-for-cover-or-shoot-back Let’s set the scene. You’re out hunting and you come across a massive pot farm, or even a few shacks that serve as a meth lab operation. United States Entertainment Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:42:08 +0000 babbs 37071 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/how-hot-is-it Enough already! We’re choking and sweating and finding it hard to swallow when we’re outdoors here in the Ozarks. How about in your neck of the woods? United States Summer Entertainment Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:13:14 +0000 babbs 35292 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/anti-wolf-hunting-groups-bark-up-the-wrong-tree It’s not always true that the best and most important parts of the news are at the top of the article. United States Summer Predators & Small Game Rifle Entertainment Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:57:53 +0000 babbs 35273 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/a-hunter-s-friend-the-range-report Range. The word often connotes shooting indoors or even if outdoors, finely disciplined shooting amidst other shooters, maybe having to wait your turn for a long time or having to pick up your brass immediately, while it’s still hot. Entertainment Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:20:56 +0000 babbs 35266 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/summer-school-for-you And you thought all you had to do was take a Hunter Education course and be ready to go? That might be so, but for those of us who didn’t grow up hunting wild game, or who don’t have friends or family that can teach us the finer points of hunting, there is help.  And you probably paid for it already through your taxes. The U.S. United States Summer Entertainment Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:24:09 +0000 babbs 35241 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/not-made-in-the-usa On May 30, Rep. Louise Slaughter and nine other members of congress introduced the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2012 (H.R. 5864). The bill prevents importation of fish, wildlife and wildlife diseases into the United States.  Entertainment Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:29:29 +0000 babbs 35020 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/survey-says-ovulating-women-better-at-spotting-snakes Who pays for this research? A Japanese research scientist at Kyoto University tested 60 healthy women of child-bearing age during three different phases of their menstrual cycles to see if they would be more attuned to danger than otherwise.  Spring Entertainment Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:53:07 +0000 babbs 34998 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/no-limits-on-some-wyoming-cougars Last February, more than 100 people attended a meeting in Hulett, Wyoming, to voice their concerns to the state's game and fish department about the rise in the mountain liion population, and particularly, the effect that this increase is having on their safety, and the safety of their pets and livestock. As a result of that meeting, Wyoming Game & Fish Department (G&F) proposed adding an additional hunting area to the two that already exist: Hunt Area 32 near Hulett will have an unlimited quota during the standard Sept. 1-March 31 season. United States Spring Mountain Lion Entertainment Thu, 17 May 2012 17:56:12 +0000 babbs 34958 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/should-lost-hikers-pay-for-recovery-services This one should read “Hiker from Sandwich Drinks a Slim Fast and Gets Lost.”  Having fueled himself Entertainment Sun, 13 May 2012 20:35:10 +0000 babbs 34942 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/the-real-elephant-in-the-room Poor King Juan Carlos, the 74-year-old monarch of Spain, who recently broke his hip while on an elephant hunt in Botswana. He has angered the public for two reasons: 1) the economy is in deep trouble in Spain and Spaniards want to know who paid for his trip and 2) the antis appear to have the upper hand. In fact, King Carlos is the honorary president of the Spanish branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – a position he has held since 1968. Africa African Big Game Rifle Entertainment Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:04:54 +0000 babbs 34793 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/hooray-for-the-house-passes-sportmens-heritage-act Question: How do you eat an elephant sandwich? Answer: One bite at a time!  United States Entertainment Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:21:32 +0000 babbs 34777 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/remington-reloads-and-goes-on-offense-versus-nbc On April 11, NBC Nightly News aired a segment that purported that Remington Arms shotguns – Models 870 and 1100 – have design flaws that make them unsafe for users. This is not the first time the network has accused Remington of unsafe design.  In September 2010, it pointed its finger at Remington for ignoring a problem with safety on its Model 700 rifle. United States Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:16:04 +0000 babbs 34772 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/save-the-rhino-spend-your-pension-fund Recently, I blogged here about hunting exotics in Texas, and the flak that some outfitters get from anti-hunting groups who do not believe these animals should be here in the first place, let alone hunted. The gist of the post? Africa Big Game Entertainment Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:50:02 +0000 babbs 34393 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/north-carolina-dnr-says-bring-on-the-night Forty-two states allow night hunting for some game species. North Carolina is thinking about becoming the 43rd state and is proposing new regulations that would allow hunting of coyotes and hogs at night.  United States Coyote Rifle Entertainment Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:07:03 +0000 babbs 34387 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/is-hunting-for-the-rich-and-famous Some Iowa hunters are squawking about 75 tags for whitetail bucks awarded annually to the likes of baseball stars, TV personalities and anyone else who can spread the great word about Iowa’s deer herd. In case you've never applied for a non-resident Iowa deer tag, the wait is typically about three years. North America Winter Big Game Entertainment Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:58:46 +0000 babbs 34201 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/realtree-outdoor-news/make-grandpa-and-grandma-pay-to-hunt Is this a trend we’re seeing where states are beginning to make seniors pay to hunt and fish? We know it’s all budget related and due to the economy. For years, seniors 65 and older have been enjoying the privilege of hunting free in West Virginia. As of Jan. 1, 2012, seniors 65 and older must pay a one-time fee of $25 for a Senior Lifetime License. Kansas is another state that is considering doing away with the senior exemption. North America Winter Whitetail Deer Turkey Predators & Small Game Waterfowl Freshwater Fish Saltwater Fish Bowhunting Crossbow Traditional Bow Hand Gun Muzzleloader Rifle Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:34:08 +0000 babbs 34163 at http://www.realtree.com