Preliminary spring turkey harvest numbers from MassWildlife's five district offices total 2,612 birds. This breaks 2007’s total of 2,481 birds. Want to know here the hot spots are? Here are harvest numbers by district:

• Northeast: 221 birds
• Southeast: 337
• Central: 640
• Connecticut Valley: 688
• Western: 726

Posted by SwampYankee at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I’m writing about a matter that is close to my heart, and also a very important one whether you love hunting dogs or lap dogs. My prior experience has been in Social Services, in which I dedicated over 15 years serving children who came from emotionally disturbed, physically and sexually abused backgrounds. I was very naive of what goes on in the dog world, and now I feel compelled at this time of my life to devote that same compassion for the dogs. You don’t necessarily have to be an animal lover to be effected by some of the inhumane treatment that goes on at puppy mills. Unfortunately, most of these dogs share a very small pen throughout their entire lives. They never have walked on grass, no exercise, no vet treatment, never been bathed, and of course not to mention a lack of any loving affection. Some dogs when they are rescued actually need to have the chain around their necks surgically removed since their necks have grown around the chain that was placed on them since they were pups. Surprisingly, this is all legal in some states, as the dogs are considered livestock. There are a few ways in which you can reach out to help this matter. One way is to rescue a female dog. Females are made to produce multiple litters a year totaling well over 100 puppies, which lead them to develop tumors from so many suckling pups. After about eight years of producing the females are no longer profitable and their lives are cast away and suddenly ended. A second way to help is to be aware of your new puppy’s breeder. Ask questions prior to purchasing a pup. And thirdly, write to your state legislature to help change these livestock laws if this is going on in your state. If you didn’t already see the disturbing and powerful Oprah show on puppy mills, you can view the show on YouTube. Please do your due diligence as you see fit. I am doing mine and we are currently looking into a rescue. We’ll keep you posted as to how it turns out.

Posted by deborah at 09:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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It is not very often we grouse hunters get to hear that the hunting conditions are excellent, so please sit down while reading this post. The state of WI has released their 2008 spring drumming report on the ruffed grouse population, which saw an increase between 2007 and 2008, making this the third boost in ruffed grouse numbers in the last three years. Let me translate: The grouse hunting is good to excellent. The survey shows an increase in drumming grouse in two of the four regions of the state. The Northern Region had an up tick of 12% and Southeast Region increased by 33%. WI’s primary grouse range is the Northern Region, which showed an increase in breeding grouse, confirming the state is still on the upswing of the current grouse cycle. Please feel free to stand and jump for joy.

Posted by SwampYankee at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The spring turkey hunting season is over in my neck of the woods and again this year Meleagris gallopavo was not convinced I was a lovely hen waiting for an amorous liaison. I did get the attention of a squirrel and it, too, was not impressed and in no uncertain terms chattered that I should leave his patch of hardwoods. I did get a few gobbles and I did a little running-and-gunning but no luck. The next morning when I let Coop out to relieve himself the tom, leaving his roost, gave a few gobbles, which I figure roughly tranlates to "see you next season, sweetheart."

Posted by SwampYankee at 09:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

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Bragging rights were won at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Shoot-Out. The Shoot-Out is organized each spring by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and pits Democrats against Republicans on the trap, skeet and sporting clays. It’s a fun way to determine who are straightest shooters on Capitol Hill. Last year the Democrats won the shoot, but this year, the Republicans, lead by Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), emerged victorious along with Reps Robin Hayes (R-NC) and dual and John Kline (R-MN). Who are the top guns for the Democrats? Reps Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Don Young (R-AK), and Mike Ross (D-AR) were top shooters for the Democrats. I don't suspect that this will be the last shots fired this year, especially now that we know who is the nominee for each party.

Posted by robert at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Newsday recently reported a Yaphank shooting range is under attack by local activists who want it shut down. For two years the activists have been fighting to close the facility and they recently persuaded the town to try to use state laws to close it. They cite the range is a noise disturbance and a threat to water quality. The range has been in operation since the 1960s and in the past few years has had different vendors running the operation. Some of the activists content it’s “new development in an environmentally sensitive area, and therefore must be closed.” The town shot down the “new development” strategy, however. Other activists say the range is dangerous because lead could leach into drinking water. The range paid the county more than $43,000 in fees and revenue in 2007. If that’s not a good neighbors, what is? One of the skeet-shooting enthusiasts had a great observation: "What about the people who live near the railroad station? Should they move the railroad station?" It baffles me at times that home buyers complain after they sign the mortgage documents. Perhaps the simple, low-cost solution is to provide new home owners with ear plugs?

Posted by SwampYankee at 05:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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For those of you who have taken our survey we thank you. There are many upland hunters out there and you are spread across the country and Canada. If you have not taken the survey please take a moment to fill it out. All you need to do is click the link in the right rail under SURVEY and the survey will open.

Posted by ras400 at 05:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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