Rocker Huey Lewis baits ducks to stop hunting near his Montana property

Musician Huey Lewis is in the news. He and several of his Montana neighbors have installed duck feeding stations along a waterway near their properties to effectively stop waterfowl hunting in the area, the Associated Press reports.

At issue is the Mitchell Slough, which the Montana Supreme Court ruled a public waterway, subjecting it to the state's stream access laws. Those who live along the 15-mile tributary to the Bitterroot River contend that it is a man-made feature and not subject to the public access regulations.

Lewis said that he and other area residents -- who include investor Charles Schwab -- began placing feeders along the slough about two months ago, contending that the waterway is too close to homes for safe hunting.

"I'm feeding ducks all over the place -- many of my neighbors are," Lewis said. "The reason is, the Supreme Court decision has changed everything here, and now we have public access. And most of us believe the Mitchell is unsuitable for duck hunting."

It is not legal to hunt waterfowl in an area that has bait stations for birds.

Hunter bags two deer with one bullet

Many hunters are notable conservationists, and one recently found an unexpected way to conserve bullets.

Prairie du Sac, Wis., resident TJ Hauge was hunting on opening day of the state's nine-day gun deer season. Settled into his tree stand when a buck came into his sights, TJ took careful aim and squeezed off a shot. Bull's-eye -- the buck dropped in its tracks -- and so did the unseen one standing directly behind it.

"Between the adrenaline and the rather strange outcome, my mind had a little trouble grasping what had just transpired," TJ told Outposts. "I spent the next 25 minutes with a big, uncontrollable smile and occasionally laughing to myself in disbelief of what had happened."

TJ immediately text-messaged the other members of his hunting party, "two bucks, one bullet."

Does color matter when buying outdoor gear?

Does color -- specifically pink -- affect decisions on which equipment hunters and anglers of both genders  purchase?

A survey conducted by Southwick Associates on AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com shows that while color has some importance, quality is key.

Anglers of both sexes preferred black, with 52% of men and 38% of women selecting this color. Sixteen percent of women preferred pink, and 30% overall do not factor color into their purchasing decision. The lowest preferences were reflected in brighter colors such as orange and yellow.

Hunters and target shooters said that the most popular color scheme was camouflage, with 62% of males and 60% of females chiming in with this preference. Other popular colors included black, green and brown, with pink getting 15.4% of women's votes. Again, the lowest preference for both genders included brighter colors -- white, yellow and multicolored. Thirty percent overall did not factor in color when buying firearms and related equipment.

Asked if offering pink outdoor gear is a condescending way to market to women (outside of that offered to promote breast cancer awareness), half the women who took the angler survey believe it is, while 46% of men thought so. Of hunters, 47% of surveyed women find it condescending while 42% of men believe that.

Fish and Game Q&A: Can we shoot waterfowl at one pond if there's a feeding station at a neighboring pond?

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

Question: We own a duck club with two ponds on the property. Members shoot waterfowl over one pond while the other has a floating corn feeder for wood ducks on it. We want to keep shooting the club pond during the season but also want to keep the feeding station out on the other pond for the wood ducks during this time. The regulations say baiting for migratory birds is prohibited and that it is illegal to “hunt over” bait. What is the minimum distance required to be maintained between the feeding station and our shooting pond before feeding is considered baiting? Thanks in advance. (Stacy M.)

Answer: Waterfowl and migratory bird regulations are set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While there are no minimum distance requirements specified in the regulations, it’s clear that you may not keep the floating corn feeder on another pond if it in any way influences waterfowl to come into shooting range for hunting. Even if the feeder is just intended to be for wood ducks, anything that can be determined to be bait that influences waterfowl of any species to come in within range for the purposes of hunting them could be considered bait and is illegal.

This principle applies even if the feeding station or baiting is on a neighbor’s property. While hunters may not have control over what a neighbor is doing, they do have control over hunting on their own property or hunt club. Hunters may not shoot any birds that come into range if those birds are being influenced to come in for bait, even if on another’s property. In addition, all feed or bait must be removed 10 days prior to hunting over it, and the responsibility to know it is all gone is upon the person hunting over its influence.

Q: When boiling a lobster, or otherwise prepping it for cooking, is there a humane way to kill the critter without inflicting unnecessary pain on the live lobster? I’ve tried inserting a knife on the triangle above the eyes where I expect the brain is, but am not sure this really dispatches it as there’s still lots of movement afterward. Thanks for any help! (John S.)

NRA co-sponsors legislation to repeal AB 962

Hunters and target shooters may want to take note: The National Rife Assn. is backing legislation that, if approved, will repeal AB 962, which was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week and will put restrictions on the purchase of certain ammunition beginning Feb. 1, 2011.

Assemblyman Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills) has agreed to amend his bill AB 373 so that it will repeal AB 962. The newly amended bill will be heard in the Legislature in January.

The NRA and California Rifle and Pistol Assn. are now co-sponsoring the revised AB 373, and are also circulating a letter of support for the bill.

"The laundry list of new requirements in Assembly Bill 962 treats law abiding citizens like criminals. The only people this bill will affect are those already following the law," Hagman says on his website. "My bill will ensure that California's responsible gun owners are not punished by this excessive regulation from Sacramento."

AB 962 requires individuals buying handgun ammunition to be fingerprinted and registered at the time of sale and mandates that dealers keep these records and make them available for inspection by the California Department of Justice. Retailers would also have to store ammunition in such a manner that it would be inaccessible to purchasers and all mail order and Internet sales of handgun ammunition and reloading components would be banned.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Handgun ammunition of various calibers. Credit: Judi Bottoni / Associated Press

Related: Sportsmen's and gun groups up in arms over passage of AB 962

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Animal activist refuses to let bow-hunter retrieve deer

A bow-hunter who thought he was doing everything by the book instead went home empty-handed, reports the Connecticut Post.

After mortally wounding a deer, he tracked it -- as responsible hunters should -- until it collapsed and died.

Realizing the animal had ended up on someone's private property, he went to the door to ask permission to retrieve the buck.

"My husband told him to just go away, he couldn't have the deer," homeowner Lynn Gorfinkle said.

Gorfinkle went out into her yard and took photos of the deer. "It was a crime scene, in my opinion, the minute that it was shot," she said.

Turns out, Gorfinkle is the CEO of Animal Rights Alliance in Redding, Conn.

Sportsmen's and gun groups up in arms over passage of AB 962

*Updated to reflect that this law goes into effect on Feb 1, 2011 and not July, 2010

Sportsmen's and pro-gun groups are up in arms over a recent bill signed by Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that puts restrictions on the purchase of certain ammunition beginning Feb. 1, 2011.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation and the California Assn. of Firearms Retailers are highly critical of the decision to sign into law AB 962, which will require firearms dealers and ammunition vendors to keep a registry of all buyers of handgun ammo. The bill also bans all mail order and Internet sales of such ammunition and reloading components.

"The governor vetoed a piece of firearms legislation, SB 41, far less burdensome to retailers than AB 962, stating it was too cumbersome," Lawrence Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general council, said in a news release. (SB 41 would have required additional paperwork and documentation on the date of delivery of all firearms to a buyer.)

NSSF has estimated that AB 962 will cost the state almost $3 million in lost sales tax, $629,000 in increased operating costs for state agencies and more than $35 million in lost retail sales annually.

"This legislation will drive many small, independent retailers already struggling in a poor economy out of business or force them to flee California," said CAFR President Marc Halcon.

"Those retailers who can afford to stay will be forced to substantially raise prices to law-abiding consumers who, under AB 962, will now be fingerprinted like common criminals simply for exercising their Second Amendment rights," continued Halcon. "It is silly, at best, to think criminals will stand in line to be fingerprinted to buy ammunition from licensed retailers."

"Gov. Schwarzenegger has just created an underground black market for ammunition," Halcon added.

Ammo sales, already at an increased level from gun enthusiasts, including hunters and target shooters fearing stricter gun laws, will likely now become more robust in the coming months.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: A Smith & Weston .357 is shown with various caliber handgun ammunition. Credit: Judi Bottoni / Associated Press

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Gun control (or lack thereof) takes on new meaning at Florida shooting range

Guns don't kill people; people kill people.

That has been a popular refrain among opponents of stricter gun control. Well, it turns out that guns -- all by themselves -- can at least injure people.

In a bizarre incident at a Lakeland, Fla., practice facility on Saturday, a 9-millimeter handgun began shooting on its own while spinning in circles. Three people were injured and one, a 29-year-old tourist visiting the range with a friend, was struck in the shoulder and throat and as of Sunday night remained hospitalized in stable condition.

Bullets started flying moments after Michael Thourot had fired and reloaded the weapon, and set it down for his wife to use.

Sherri Thourot was struck in the back of her right arm and the bullet exited in the biceps area. Her bone was shattered. Michael Thourot was struck in the left hand. Gary Flynn was the unlucky tourist.

Sherri Thourot told the St. Petersburg Times she first noticed that her husband had been hit. "But I couldn't tell how bad," she said. "Then I realized I had been hit. My hand was bent forward and I couldn't move my arm."

The husband and wife were test-firing their new weapon at Saddle Creek Shooting Range.

-- Pete Thomas

Popular San Diego shooting range closed due to safety concerns

A popular outdoor shooting area in eastern San Diego County has been closed indefinitely because of concerns about local Border Patrol agents safety.

The Bureau of Land Management has shut down the 210-acre Airport Mesa/Carrizo Creek range to the public effective immediately at the request of the U.S. Border Patrol.

The area, popular for recreational shooting and target practice, is located in an expanse that has seen increased border security activities of late. The U.S. Border Patrol officially requested the closure out of concern that the range is putting agents "in the line of fire or in danger of ricochet bullets," according to the request.

"The safety of federal officers in performance of their duties is important to everyone," said Vicki Wood, El Centro field manager for the BLM. "The closure of this popular recreational shooting [area] is unfortunate, but the closure is necessary to protect the agents who are patrolling the borders."

Those violating the closure order risk penalties including fines and prison sentences.

"Displaced users will want to know where they might practice their sport," added Wood. "The nearest BLM areas are in Imperial County and we recognize users will want us to explore closer areas, if available. We welcome their input."

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Spent shells and casings litter the ground at an outdoor shooting range similar to the Airport Mesa/Carrizo Creek range. Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

National Police Shooting Championships begin today

More than 400 law enforcement officers will be converging on Albuquerque for the 47th annual National Police Shooting Championships.

The National Rifle Assn.-hosted event takes place today through Thursday and draws officers from federal, state, municipal and private agencies as well as foreign countries.

Using real law enforcement shooting skills, competitors start with their weapons holstered and will fire timed matches with both revolvers and semiautomatic pistols from varying positions and distances.

The combined scores from the matches will be used to crown a national champion.

Competing this year will be defending champion Robert Vadasz, a U.S. Border Patrol senior agent, as well as nine-time tournament champion Capt. Philip Hemphill of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

"The National Police Shooting Championship is a gathering of the finest law enforcement shooters from around the world," NRA President Ron Schmeits said in a news release. "There is no better place for these everyday heroes to test their skills than right here in New Mexico."

-- Kelly Burgess

Image courtesy of NPSC/NRA

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry targeted by PETA over views on hunting

It's no secret that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is against hunting and fishing, and many believe this group's collective heart is in the right place.

But PETA might also be labeled, by some, as a cheap-shot artist specializing in juvenile criticisms against whomever falls into its cross-hairs. And anyone who hunts or fishes, especially if that person is a celebrity, is a potential target.

The latest big name to land in this category is Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, who told Outdoor Life magazine he has enjoyed hunting since he was a kid and that he only kills what he eats. Perry further stated that "hunters are conservationists and their heads are in the right place."

PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange, in her blog, grabbed hold of these words and penned some lyrics of her own. They were less than kind:

"People who take out their aggressions and frustrations on helpless animals are usually compensating for other shortcomings in their life. We don't know how Joe measures up, but it's interesting that he seems to feel so satisfied when he's handling long phallic-looking weapons."

Presumably and understandably, Perry did not shoot back.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, left, and lead singer Steven Tyler share the spotlight during a concert in this 2001 file photo. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Report urges stricter laws pertaining to gun shows--what do you think?

Gun shows: You either love them or hate them.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence falls into the latter category and is passing out to the media an extensive new report that suggests laws pertaining to firearm shows are too lax and that illegal transactions at gun shows are commonplace.

The 300-page UC Davis report, titled "Inside Gun Shows: What Goes on When Everybody Thinks Nobody's Watching," suggests that and implies that  much stricter gun show laws are needed. The report is based on observations made at 78 gun shows in 19 states, mostly between 2005 and 2008. Among illegal activities documented in the report:

-- Illegal straw purchases, during which a surrogate buys from a licensed retailer on behalf of another

-- Anonymous, undocumented private-party gun sales

-- Widespread availability of assault weapons, .50-caliber rifles and parts required to make untraceable guns

-- Links between gun shows and the neo-Confederacy movement and neo-Nazism

Garen Wintemute, a UC Davis professor and author of the report, said: “Illegal transactions were often conducted entirely out in the open. The sense of impunity among sellers and purchasers in these cases was remarkable.”

The report claims that gun shows in the United States "are a leading source of guns used in criminal violence in Northern California, the United States, Mexico and Canada" and states, “Law enforcement needs to have an expanded, proactive program at gun shows to prevent the illegal sale of guns."

Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign, commented: “Dr. Wintemute’s work should be required reading for members of Congress, who should extend Brady background checks to all gun sales, including all sales at gun shows.”

Gun enthusiasts, which include hunters and target shooters, have been gobbling up weapons and ammo for for past several months, fearing stricter gun laws. This report will not ease that concern.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A .50-caliber Magnum revolver from Smith & Wesson has stirred emotions on both sides of the firearms debate. Credit: Associated Press

Firearm safety classes (and ammo sale) on tap this month at Raahague's

Hunters and gun enthusiasts might note that National Rifle Assn.-certified instructors from Doc Hollyday will conduct firearm safety classes Saturday and Sept. 19 at Raahauge's hunting and shooting range in Corona.

All aspects of handling weapons responsibly will be addressed.

But perhaps more appealing to many are the bold red letters at the bottom of the Raahauge's announcement: "THE RANGE HAS ALL KINDS OF AMMO FOR SALE!"

That's because sales of ammunition, along with some types of weapons, has been so brisk that it has fallen in short supply as more citizens appear to be concerned that tougher gun and ammo laws will be imposed by the Barack Obama administration. 

Class prices are as follows: Shotgun class, $100, includes shotgun rental and ammo; rifle class, $130, includes rifle rental but not ammo; pistol class, $145, includes pistol rental and a Department of Justice handgun safety certificate, but not ammo.

Raahauge's can be reached at (951) 735-7981

-- Pete Thomas

Related:

Gun, ammunition sales remain robust across the U.S.

Fear of gun limits fuels a burst of demand for bullets

Photo: New 5.56mm cartridges are seen at Stone Hart manufacturing in Miami in April. Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Fish and Game Q&A: Are hunters a threat to hikers and campers?

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

Question: As an avid outdoor hiker/camper ("primitive") in the wilderness, I have just learned that there is year-round hunting of some sort throughout California, especially on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Since I wear and use materials that "blend" with nature, I am now very concerned about whether I should be changing my pup tent and clothing to international orange! As much as I respect the right to hunt and recognize its importance in helping to manage wildlife, I am very concerned about the safety of hikers/campers like myself being shot in the crossfire!  What are the statistics concerning hunting accidents of this nature in California? (Pam K.)

Answer: Public hunting is allowed on most U.S. Forest Service and BLM properties but not within national parks or California state parks. In addition, most wild game in California have very regulated seasons. Accidents due to careless hunters as you describe here are rare.

According to Hunter Education Administrator and Capt. Roy Griffith, California sells nearly 300,000 hunting licenses per year, yet averages only about 16 firearm-related hunting injuries per year, with two or fewer resulting in death.  In these cases, the injured person is typically a member of the shooter’s hunting party. This year California had its first injury in more than 10 years in which the victim was not a hunter (a farm worker received a minor “peppering” when an individual shot at a dove out of season).

Illinois archer sets world record by shooting six targets with one shot

Would you let the man in the video shoot an apple off your head? How about an entire bushel of apples?

Randy Oitker probably could do it safely. The exhibition archer and avid hunter from Plainville, Ill., recently set three world records while in London to film for the television show "Guinness Book of World Records."

First he nailed three balloons with three arrows fired at once, then five balloons with five arrows and, for an encore, six balloons with six arrows.

Oitker, 22, who is on the Nikon Sport Optics pro staff, is perhaps best known for shooting Lifesavers candy from long distances. The two-time world champion archer said his goal is to inspire others to take up shooting sports and hunting.

The video is worth a peek.

--Pete Thomas

Colorado trap shooter struck by lightning remains in critical condition

Trap shooting is not a dangerous outdoors pastime if the shooter knows how to handle a shotgun and if there are no lightning storms in the vicinity.

Josh Renusch, 32, of Loveland, Colo., remains hospitalized and in critical condition after lightning struck the barrel of his shotgun Monday while he was preparing to shoot clay pigeons. The stock of his gun exploded and Renusch received burns over much of his body.

The family said there was no evidence of lightning in the vicinity of rural Weld County, according to a story in the Coloradoan newspaper. But light rain could be seen falling in the distance.

So it appears to have been a freak accident. But the incident might serve as a reminder to shooters as well as golfers and anyone else wielding something that could serve as a lightning rod to exercise special caution during inclement weather.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Lightning strikes Ear Mountain along the Rocky Mountain front. Credit: Ralph Waldt

 

Gray wolf delisting plan shot down by hunters

The plan to remove the federal protection of gray wolves in some Northern Rockies states has raised the hackles of a group of hunters and ranchers.

Their ire, however, is not because hunting may be allowed, but because the state they reside in is not included in the plan.

The Wolf Coalition, a Wyoming-based group of hunters, farmers and livestock ranchers, is planning to file a lawsuit against the federal government based on the decision to keep packs in the state protected under the Endangered Species Act.

"We ought to be able to take them off the list and allow the state to manage this species as they do other wildlife," said Harriet Hageman, the group's attorney.

Waterfowl hunting is a boon to economy, report finds

A recently released U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report shows that waterfowl hunters are a welcome benefit to the country's economy, generating more than $2.3 billion in one year.

The report is an addendum to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and focuses specifically on waterfowl hunting in the United States.

Hunters spent $900 million on various goods and services, including transportation, guns, decoys and hunting dogs. Their spending supported more than 27,000 jobs and generated more than $8.5 million in employment income.

"Waterfowlers, like many other sportsmen, have a proven track record in their contributions to the U.S. economy," said Rowan Gould, acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "That's certainly something to take comfort in during these tough economic times."

Obama should not reinstate assault weapon ban, gun enthusiasts assert

Last week's announcement that 730 people across the United States had been arrested during a 21-month investigation targeting Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel underscored the scope of a simply-described cross-border problem that cannot be easily solved.

Cartel members smuggle drugs into the U.S., where demand is insatiable and worth billions, and smuggle high-tech weapons from the U.S. into Mexico to protect their interests against rival drug leaders and Mexican authorities.

About 6,000 deaths in Mexico during the last 13 months have been attributed to the narco-war, and it's feared a similarly high level of drug-related violence will spill into the U.S.

But is reinstating a ban on the sale of so-called assault rifles in the U.S. part of a solution? Probably not.

U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder said during a news conference last week that the Obama administration ought to consider renewing a 10-year ban that expired five years ago.

Naturally, hunters, target shooters, general gun enthusiasts and supporters of the 2nd Amendment cringed. Many countered that the ban did not reduce crime in the U.S. and that any spike since the expiration cannot be attributed to the resumed sale of semiautomatic weapons to private citizens.

Olympian Kim Rhode reportedly gets stolen shotgun back, in good condition

News bulletin: The Outdoor Wire, a digital newsletter, is reporting that the Riverside Sheriff's Department, during a routine parole check, has recovered a stolen shotgun used by four-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode. The gun, which was stolen from her pickup in September, is said to be in good shape.

Reaction: Great news for Rhode, a straight shooter who has worked extremely hard to reach the pinnacle of her sport. I recall visiting her at the range when she was just a tyke and writing that she will someday win an Olympic gold medal.

Call me psychic.

(Please click here for Rhode's recollection of the incident in the Fabulous Forum blog, and for her wedding announcement.)

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times