Fish and Game Q&A: May I plant wild turkeys on private land?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I have a few questions about putting Eastern wild turkey poults out on private land. I just love to hunt them. There are turkeys out there already but I would like for there to be a lot more. How or what can be done to get more turkeys planted on the property? (Joe D.)

Answer: Permission will not be granted to any person to release turkeys into the wild that have been domestically reared for propagation or hunting purposes. Only turkeys trapped from the wild by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) may be released into the wild (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 671.6 (b)).

According to DFG turkey program manager Scott Gardner, besides being illegal, releasing captive-reared turkey poults will not ultimately produce more turkeys in the wild, and could actually harm the wild population. Beginning in the 1920s, DFG raised turkeys and other game birds and released them into the wild. By 1951, DFG and other wildlife agencies stopped the practice because it wasn’t resulting in self-sustaining wild populations of turkeys. In 1959, DFG started importing and releasing the Rio Grande subspecies of wild turkeys that were trapped in the wild in Texas. Wild trapped birds were highly successful and virtually all of California’s current wild turkey population came from these releases.

'Shark Men' premieres Sunday on National Geographic Channel

Expedition leader Chris Fischer, marine biologist Michael Domeier and crew are back for another season of "Shark Men," premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. on National Geographic Channel with two hourlong episodes. Additional episodes will follow, airing at 10 p.m. on Sunday nights through June 12.

Though the name of the series has changed (it was “Expedition Great White” last year) the focus is still the same -- attempting to learn more about the mysterious great white shark and its life cycle -- where the sharks are born, where they migrate, how they mate, and where they congregate.

Using a specially designed, 126-foot-long mothership that includes a 37-ton hydraulic platform for hoisting a living shark out of the ocean, the crew returns to Mexico's Guadalupe Island, 160 miles west of Baja California, in the hopes of landing, tagging and releasing sharks -- specifically females -- alive. This season, they also secure a permit to hook a white shark at Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of San Francisco, and also travel to just off the shores of Malibu, hoping to catch juvenile great white sharks in an effort to learn more about the younger years of the apex predator's life cycle. 

"Shark Men" episode descriptions through April are after the jump (the rest of the descriptions are still pending):

GoDaddy.com CEO Bob Parsons under fire for Zimbabwe elephant-hunting video

GoDaddy.com Chief Executive Bob Parsons has been drawing angry comments and threats of boycotts and cancellations after he posted a video of him killing a problem bull elephant during a hunting expedition in Zimbabwe.

The video (viewer discretion advised due to graphic content) shows the CEO and his hunting party looking over a farmer's damaged crops, shooting at elephants at night, and Parsons posing with the dead bull. It also shows crowds of villagers field dressing the carcass the next morning.

"I kind of figured that this might happen. So be it, I'm not ashamed of what I did," Parsons, whose Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company provides domain and Web hosting services, told myFoxPhoenix Tuesday. "All these people that are complaining that this shouldn't happen, that these people who are starving to death otherwise shouldn't eat these elephants, you probably see them driving through at McDonald's or cutting a steak. These people [Zimbabwe villagers] don't have that option."

While a preponderance of the comments posted on Parsons' website blog were negative, he has his proponents.

"As long as it goes to good use as food then it's all good," posted Chad from Texas; "I'm sure local villagers appreciated the protein," wrote Alan Dean Foster of Arizona; and, from Jonathan Mackenzie of Zimbabwe, "As a Zimbabwean who has worked in ... areas where the necessity to kill [rogue] animals takes place I appreciate your actions regardless of your motivations."

Parsons posts an explanation on his hunts -- this was his second -- to take out problem elephants:

I spend a few weeks in Zimbabwe each year helping the farmers deal with problem elephants. The people there have very little, many die each year from starvation and one of the problems they have is the elephants, of which there are thousands and thousands, that trash many of their fields destroying the crops. The tribal authorities request that I and others like me, patrol the fields before and during the harvest -- we can't cover them all, there are just a few of us -- and drive the elephant from the fields. The farmers try to run the elephants away by cracking whips, beating drums and lighting fires. All of this is ignored by the elephants. When my team catch elephants in a field (there are never just one) we typically kill one of them and the rest leave for good. After we kill an elephant the people butcher the elephant and it feeds a number of villages. These people have literally nothing and when an elephant is killed it's a big event for them, they are going to be able to eat some protein. This is no different than you or I eating beef. If at all possible we avoid elephant cows and only kill mature bulls. By just killing bulls it has no effect on the elephant social structure (as it is matriarchal) as well as the herd size. The reason is another bull quickly steps up and breeds in place of the bull taken.

Parsons said that the hunts and helping the starving villagers is the most rewarding of everything he does, and that he hopes to go again next year.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: GoDaddy CEO and founder Bob Parsons, right, and his wife Renee pose on the red carpet at a recent event. Credit: Roy Dabner / European Pressphoto Agency

 

Texas angler shocked when 375-pound mako shark leaps into boat

A Texas angler landed a 375-pound mako shark, all without casting a line.

Freeport resident Jason Kresse, 29, and two others were fishing for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico early Monday and were chumming the water with fish parts when they heard some big splashes nearby.

"All of a sudden something hit the side of the boat," Kresse told Associated Press. "He ends up landing on the back of the boat." The "he" was an 8-foot-long mako shark.

No one could even get near the thrashing mako to try to get it back in the water, and the shark ended up dying on board.

The crew didn't have a permit to catch sharks, so Kresse contacted officials on shore. Mike Cox, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman, said that there was no violation because the shark's death was an accident.

The shark has been put on display at an area seafood company, and Kresse is getting a mount made to go with his amazing fishing tale.

"A fish jumping in your boat, 400 pounds, that's unbelievable," Kresse said.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Jason Kresse with the 375-pound, 8-foot-long mako shark that leapt into his boat. Credit: Jason Kresse via Associated Press

No sled dog deaths during Iditarod for second consecutive year

For the second consecutive year, no dogs died during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

"I’m ecstatic. Last year zero dog deaths were considered an anomaly. Two years in a row with no deaths is a statement," Stu Nelson, Iditarod chief veterinarian, told Eye on the Trail.

Nelson believes that one reason for the drop in dog mortality is the focus on reducing ulcers or ulcer-related issues in the sled dogs. While the cause of ulcers in the animals is unclear, methods to reduce or prevent them are not.

"In the past we did nothing, and then three years ago, ongoing research by Dr. Mike Davis showed that an acid suppressant could control ulcers," said Nelson.

Davis, a professor of Physiological Sciences at Oklahoma State University and a licensed veterinarian, does off-season research on sled dogs in cooperation with kennel owners. Thanks to that research, Nelson encouraged mushers to give acid suppressants to their teams, and said that the results from those doing so are evident.

"I knew that if we could control ulcers, we could have zero deaths," Nelson said. "The animal rights people who attack the Iditarod and the sport are not really interested in dog care. They have not spent one cent on research, not one cent on improving animal care."

Nelson, an Iditarod veterinarian for 25 years -- with 16 of those as chief managing a 41-member volunteer vet corp -- seems to enjoy everything about the 1,000-mile plus race.

"It’s about the people, the mushers, the volunteers, the villagers; there is a camaraderie that comes with sharing the event. It’s about the beauty of the land ... but ultimately it is about the dogs. They are fun-loving and happy go lucky."

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Musher Peter Kaiser races from Safety to the Nome, Alaska, finish line of the 2011 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Credit: Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News

California Department of Fish and Game offers wild pig-hunting clinic

The next advanced hunting clinic offered by the California Department of Fish and Game will focus on wild pigs.

Co-hosted by the Pacific Coast Hunter Education Assn., the class will take place Sat., April 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City.

The topics covered will include the biology of wild pigs, techniques for locating the animals, methods of take, how to handle and properly care for the game, plus recipes for preparing wild pig. They will also be field dressing and skinning a pig during the clinic.

Wild pig-hunting season is open year-round in California for licensed hunters, with no daily bag or possession limit, so this clinic seems well worth the registration cost for those wanting to learn more about the quarry.

The cost is $45 and space is limited, so those interested are advised to register early. A barbecue lunch is available for an additional $10.

Those 16 or younger will be admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult. Registration, including fee payment, closes two weeks before the workshop date and can be completed online. For more information e-mail or call DFG Lt. Dan Lehman at (916) 358-4356.

If you miss this one there will be two more DFG clinics this year on wild pig hunting: June 11 at the Russian River Sportsmens Club in Sonoma and July 30 at Tejon Ranch.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Wild pig. Credit: Department of Fish and Game

Colorado approves draft regulations prohibiting hunting bears in their dens

Colorado Wildlife Commission officials have approved the draft phase of regulations which, if passed, would prohibit the hunting of bears in their dens.

The commission approved the draft regulations at their meeting Thursday in Denver. The final vote will come at the May 5 meeting in Salida, Colo., and if approved will become effective July 1.

The den-hunting restriction proposal was drafted by the Colorado Division of Wildlife following an incident last November in which hunter Richard Kendall of Craig, Colo., tracked a large black bear to a cave, entered the cave and killed the animal.

Although the killing of the 703-pound bear was legal -- Colorado hunting regulations currently do not prohibit hunting a bear in a den -- the incident sparked public outrage, generating angry e-mails and calls to state wildlife authorities.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: A black bear peers through the brush. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Fish and Game Q&A: Can trespassing wildlife be trapped and relocated?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: Is it illegal to trap and relocate raccoons? I live at the base of Tauquitz Canyon Mountain in Palm Springs and we have a population of raccoons. One of the residents is determined to trap any and all animals that venture onto his property. The problem is he is not trained to trap and he often keeps the animal for three to five days with no food or water until he feels like getting rid of them. I’ve even released a cat from one of his traps in 110 degree heat! Most of the other residents have been educated on how to keep raccoons from doing any damage and how to keep them out of the trash. They are wild and beautiful and I don’t want anything more to happen to them. Can something be done? (Laurie S., Palm Springs)

Answer: The situation described is illegal, cruel and inhumane. When trapping wildlife, traps must be checked every 24 hours and the animals either dispatched or released in the immediate area.

World Elk Calling Championships Friday and Saturday in Reno

Elk callers from across the U.S. will be converging on Reno next weekend, hoping to bugle, grunt, bark, mew and whine their way to victory in the World Elk Calling Championships, Friday and Saturday at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center.

The championships are a centerpiece of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual Elk Camp & Expo, held Thursday through Sunday. The four-day convention helps raise awareness of elk, their habitat and RMEF conservation initiatives.

The elk-calling competition will be held in six divisions: professional, men, women, natural voice, youth and pee-wee. Amateur-level callers have 30 seconds to mimic cow elk sounds, followed by bull sounds. Professionals are required to make specific calls such as barks, whistles and screaming bugles. Most callers blow across a latex reed placed inside the mouth. In the natural voice division, however, no reeds are allowed. A variety of plastic tubes are used like megaphones, giving the sounds realistic resonance. Judges score each competitor anonymously.

Preliminary rounds begin Friday at 9 a.m., and championship rounds begin Saturday at 9 a.m. Winners receive prizes and cash ranging from $500 to $2,500.

Elk Camp also includes seminars led by authorities on bowhunting and other hunting skills, horse packing, marksmanship, wild game cooking, game calling strategies and more. There will also be displays of record elk, plus a 450-booth expo hall filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities, art, gear, firearms and everything elk.

Show hours are Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily admission is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for children 5 and younger.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Video credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation via YouTube

Great Backyard Bird Count begins Friday

It's time to break out the binoculars, birding books and notepads and get outside in the name of science.

Birding enthusiasts both novice and expert are encouraged to participate in the 14th annual Great Backyard Bird Count Friday through Monday across the U.S. and Canada.

"Whether people notice birds in backyards, parks or wilderness areas, we ask that they share their counts," said Judy Braus, Audubon’s senior vice president of Education and Centers. "It’s fun and rewarding for people of all ages and skill levels."

A joint project of the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, it's an opportunity for people to monitor the bird activity in their neighborhoods. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes, or for as long as they wish, on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online.

"When thousands of people all tell us what they’re seeing, we can detect changes in birds' numbers and locations from year to year," said Janis Dickinson, director of Citizen Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Last year, birders turned in 97,200 checklists -- a nearly 4% increase over the prior year -- identified 602 species and counted 11.2 million individual birds.

The GBBC website is chock-full of useful information, including printable regional tally sheets, frequently asked questions and information on entering the annual photo contest.

The survey is conducted in February to provide a snapshot of how birds are surviving the winter and where they are located just before spring migrations begin in March.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Flowers attract a hummingbird. Credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

U.S. led the world in shark attacks last year

The U.S. led the world again in the number of shark attacks last year, according to a University of Florida report released this week.

Worldwide, 79 attacks occurred in 2010 -- the highest number since 2000 (80) -- with 36 reported in the United States. Australia was second with 14, then South Africa with eight and Vietnam and Egypt with six each.

While Florida led the nation with 13 reported attacks, this total was significantly lower than the state's yearly average of 23 over the past decade.

"Florida had its lowest total since 2004, which was 12," said George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the university. Florida typically has the highest number of attacks worldwide, but 2010 marked the state’s fourth straight year of decline, Burgess said. "Maybe it’s a reflection of the downturn in the economy and the number of tourists coming to Florida, or the amount of money native Floridians can spend taking holidays and going to the beach."

Of those attacks in the U.S. outside of Florida, five were in North Carolina, with four each in California, Hawaii and South Carolina. There were single attacks in Georgia, Maine, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Surfers were the victims of slightly more than half of the incidents reported worldwide in 2010, nearly 51% of the cases. An economic downturn will usually influence tourists but not necessarily surfers, whose sport is relatively low-cost, Burgess said.

Swimmers and waders were the second-largest group affected, accounting for nearly 38% of the shark attacks internationally.

Fish and Game Q&A: Are broken antlers a sign of nutrient deficiencies?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I recently had a wonderful opportunity to accompany a friend to the 2010 Goodale Buck Hunt (G3) in the Owens Valley. It was great to see so many mature bucks in California! However, we noticed many large four-point bucks had broken antlers. Some actually had one complete side broken or partially broken. It appeared that the small tines on the four-point bucks had the most damage. I have never seen this many damaged horns in any other zone or any other state. Is this caused by a deficiency in nutrients? (Bob Pihera)

Answer: It may be that a mineral deficiency is playing a role, but we can’t say for sure. According to Department of Fish and Game deer program manager Craig Stowers, we have documented this deficiency regarding Tule elk in the area but don’t have any data specifically related to deer. Additionally, that particular hunt is held late (in December), pretty much in the middle of the rut. By that time those antlers have endured a lot of stress from animals fighting with each other for dominance. Given this, it wouldn’t be too unusual for these animals’ antlers to reflect a lot of wear and damage from the rutting season.

Q: We are Buddhists. For expressing mercy we used to buy captive fishes and set them free in rivers. However, we could not buy live-bred fishes and free them here because the salesperson in the supermarket said it violates California laws. I could not find any information in the regulations you issued. Please tell us which codes apply. (James W.)