Word began spreading rapidly, mostly across the Internet, through Facebook, blogs and emails, and as still seems to be the skepticism among Internet readers, there also existed doubts to the authenticity of the story because it wasn’t presented by some official looking media outlet.

The updates I included in the original story provide readers with links to a newspaper account as well as the same video which is below done by KXLY News.

hiring a biologist to focus on human-wildlife conflict, training more trappers, providing a pelt incentive and increasing education about dealing with the animals.

Meanwhile, in Saginaw, Texas, a 3-year old was attacked and knocked down by a coyote in the family’s driveway. Get the details of the event here.

What is being described as “extremely rare” and not “normal”, blame is laid on drought and human encroachment as the problem for increased reports of coyote/human interaction. While drought, which can cause a reduction in food supply, and human encroachment play a role, I’m not sure that describing the action of these coyotes as not being “normal” is all that accurate and may, in fact, lead people to be less concerned with educating themselves about what is normal.

People, including officials, need to better educate themselves on behavior traits and all the aspects of what influences in a coyote’s environment causes behavior to stray outside of what we want to call “normal”.

Dr. Valerius Geist, some time ago, provided us with the steps wild canines will take that lead up an attack on a human. This behavior is actually quite normal. It’s the progression of events that influence the behavior of the animal that we should all be aware of. According to Geist, drought and human encroachment in and of itself will not cause coyotes to attack.

Once we all better understand and become familiar with behavior and the influencing factors, the sooner we can recognize why coyotes and other wild canines do what they do. From this we can be better prepared, which will result in increased public safety.

Ethics are the unwritten rules of traditional outdoor values. Ethics are what guide a hunter’s behavior when no one else is looking. Personal accountability, conduct and decisions cannot be legislated, but they are among the foundations beneath science-based conservation and wildlife management.

Three general areas of sporting ethics:

1. Honor game, other wildlife and the land
Adhere to the tenets of fair chase. Know the limits of your firearm and ability, and only take shots that you are confident will result in a certain and quick kill. Treat quarry with respect before and after the shot. Make every effort to retrieve and use all edible game. Take only as much as you can use. Be proud of the long tradition and continuing role that hunters play in conserving the wildlife and wild places enjoyed by all Americans.

2. Respect landowners
Always ask permission before hunting on private land, even if it’s posted. Ask every time. Do not assume that being a guest once is an open invitation. Be considerate of farming and ranching operations. Keep safely away from buildings, machinery, livestock and crops. Leave gates as you found them. Treat the land as if it were your own. Thank the landowner after your hunt–offering some of your game is a friendly gesture.

3. Extend courtesy to fellow hunters as well as non-hunters
Know and follow all applicable regulations. But understand that just because an act is legal does not necessarily make it right. Or safe. Respect the customs of the local area where you’re hunting, including the values of those who do not hunt. The Golden Rule always applies. Exercise personal behavior that reflects favorably on your sensibilities both as a good hunter and good citizen.

Hunters should never drink alcohol or use over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or during the hunt.

“Many hunters enjoy relaxing with a beer back at the cabin or around a campfire with friends after the hunt,” said Bob Fishbeck, senior manager, Budweiser Brands. “It’s a great way to celebrate the day.”

Budweiser has been the official beer of RMEF for over 23 years.

Since 1999, the “Help Budweiser Conserve the Outdoors” program, along with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and RMEF members, has raised more than $1.1 million for conservation and education.

David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, said, “Budweiser continues to be a true friend to hunters and conservationists, and is one of RMEF’s longest standing and most valuable partners. The company’s dedication to our mission began in 1988 with a major gift for our first-ever permanent land protection project, and it continues today with sponsorship and support on many levels throughout our organization.”

WARNING: This image may cause idolizers of wolves to suddenly hemorrhage and shake uncontrollably.

You must click on the image to enlarge in order to fully understand the post’s title.

*Update* Sept. 19, 2011, 8:25 a.m.

I would like to take a minute to explain why I posted this photograph and what led up to the posting of it. First let me say that I have absolutely no idea who took this photograph or where it was taken. I did not take this photograph. It was sent to me in my email and by judging from the number of emails, most of which I did not recognize, the photo had been around a time or two.

Personally, I thought the picture was disgusting, unnecessary and yes, over the top. But it got me thinking. As I wrote in a comment after the posting, after quite some deliberate self debate, I decided to post it mostly for the reasons I listed, the main one being that over the years that I have been doing this there has never been any outrage from readers when I posted disgusting, unnecessary and over the top photos of other animals that have been disemboweled, dismembered and/or eaten alive by large predators. And yes, never any outrage over when hunters, hikers and joggers get attacked and sometimes killed by other animals. Pity and sorrow maybe, but outrage? Never.

I provided a link to just one other story that very closely resembled this one. There was no outrage. I was not threatened with my life. None of that. Both photos were “posed” by the person who took the pictures and yet there is only outrage over this canine. Why is that?

I proved the point of why I posted the photo. Was it the best choice I’ve ever made? Probably not but I do not apologize for it. If nothing else, rational people can leave from here asking themselves why there is a difference and if you can answer that question, you will be one step closer to understanding why there is a war going on that many call the wolf wars.

On an aside: One reader commented that the photo was of a coyote. There is only one way anyone can know whether this animal is a wolf, coyote or some hybridized canine is to have information about the photo none of the rest of us do.

Tom Remington

1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
This is the most basic rule of firearm safety. Never allow a gun to point toward people or anything you do not intend to shoot. Whether you are loading or unloading, carrying or cleaning, inspecting a scope or dry firing, no injuries or damage can occur if the gun is pointed in a safe direction. The safe direction may be up, down or to one side–and may change frequently–depending on the situation. Remain vigilant at all times.

2. Keep your finger off the trigger
Always treat guns as if they’re loaded and never touch the trigger until you’re ready to fire. Do not rely on a gun’s safety to prevent it from firing and do not handle a gun carelessly simply because the safety is on. A safety is a mechanical device that could malfunction, so consider it merely a supplement to safe gun handling. Until you’re ready to shoot, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun.

3. Unload your firearm when not in use
Firearms should only be loaded when you are ready to shoot, whether you’re in the field or at the shooting range. Once it’s loaded, don’t lean a gun against anything, as it could fall with enough force to discharge. Also never cross a fence, climb a tree, get into a blind or perform any physically awkward action with a loaded gun. Unload your gun as soon as you are finished shooting. Keep your gun’s action open when not in use.

Along with these fundamentals, safe hunters have many other considerations. Make sure of your target and what is beyond. Know basic operation and safe handling characteristics of a firearm before you pick it up, or get help from someone who does. Ensure all guns around you are unloaded and safe. Properly maintain and clean firearms. Use correct ammunition. Wear appropriate eye and ear protection. Store guns securely. And always use common sense.

Hunters should never drink alcohol or use over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or during the hunt.

“Many hunters enjoy relaxing with a beer back at the cabin or around a campfire with friends after the hunt,” said Bob Fishbeck, senior manager, Budweiser Brands. “It’s a great way to celebrate the day.”

Budweiser has been the official beer of RMEF for over 23 years.

Since 1999, the “Help Budweiser Conserve the Outdoors” program, along with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and RMEF members, has raised more than $1.1 million for conservation and education.

David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, said, “Budweiser continues to be a true friend to hunters and conservationists, and is one of RMEF’s longest standing and most valuable partners. The company’s dedication to our mission began in 1988 with a major gift for our first-ever permanent land protection project, and it continues today with sponsorship and support on many levels throughout our organization.”

For some hunters, this is the first hunt of the season and signals the onset of fall. For other hunters, this is the first hunt of a lifetime. Dove hunting is the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to hunting because supervising adults can be close to young hunters, all hunters can talk and communicate, and working in partnership also often helps in the recovery of downed doves. Plus, dove season opening days are also generally warm and hunters can be comfortable. For many families, dove hunting becomes a family affair.

There are many reasons to hunt doves. A recent population estimate places the U.S. population of mourning doves at approximately 350 million birds. Hunters take only an estimated 20 million doves per season, and most dove hunting seasons are open from Labor Day—or September 1—until late November or into December. On average, sportsmen hunt doves about 4 to 5 days per season before beginning hunts for other species.

In addition to hunting licenses and possible state required permits, hunters are required to complete a federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). The HIP report helps determine the number of hunters who hunt doves and waterfowl species. This program and other studies have shown that dove hunters are willing to travel and spend many dollars in their pursuit of doves. Basically, dove hunting has a tremendous positive effect on conservation funding and local economies.

For example, a survey of Illinois hunters by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign determined that the average Illinois dove hunter was 37 years old. He or she had hunted doves for 17 years, traveled 31 miles (round trip) per day afield to hunt these migratory birds, and spent $138 (total $10.2 million) on their sport during the season. The survey also determined that 26% of the hunters usually used a dog and 62% relied on reloaded shotgun shells.

Click here for more details about doves.

For more details on opportunities to support hunting, visit www.ussportsmen.org.

Corey Jacobsen of Boise, Idaho, is the reigning and 3-time world champion elk caller, as well as a consistently successful bowhunter. A mechanical engineer by trade, Jacobsen also operates an RMEF-sponsored website dedicated to elk hunting, www.elk101.com.

The site offers many helpful hints and insights to elk hunting.

Jacobsen offers the following key advice on calling elk into bow range:

- Set-up might be the most critical step. It always plays a major role in determining the outcome of a hunt. I can’t count how many hunts have been blown by a bad set-up; too much brush to shoot through, not enough cover to hide in, no shooting lanes, inconsistent wind currents, caught in the open, the list goes on and on.

- I always repeat one word to myself when I’m setting up on a bugling bull: ARC.

- The meaning of ARC is twofold. First, a bull will often approach your set-up by circling downwind. I like to visualize a straight line from the caller to the bull, then draw an imaginary arc on the downwind side. This is the path a bull will likely follow as he comes in. Always try to set up along that arc.

- The second thing ARC means to me is “Always Remember Concealment.” Elk survive by three main senses: sight, sound and smell. Conceal yourself from these senses every time you set up. Set up in front of brush or trees and allow your camouflage to break up your outline (and give you a clearer shot than if you’re positioned behind cover). Clear the area where you set up. This will eliminate the chance of snapping a twig as you shift your weight or draw your bow. Obey the wind! No argument, no excuses. If the elk smells you, the hunt is over. No amount of cover spray, odor eliminating gear or luck will make your scent disappear from a bull’s nose if the wind is going straight towards him. Keep the wind in your favor, always!

- Hunting with a partner is an incredibly effective way to call a bull past your set-up and increase the chances of getting a high-percentage shot. If you’re the shooter, use a rangefinder to determine distances to trees, stumps or rocks around your set-up, thus eliminating any guessing when the elk shows up.

- Finally, be sure to draw your bow only when the bull’s vision is obstructed, when his head is turned or behind a tree. Few things are more frustrating than having a perfect set-up and everything coming together, only to have it all fall apart at the moment of truth!

In the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships, amateur callers have 30 seconds to mimic cow and bull sounds. Professional competitors like Jacobsen are required to make specific calls including standard bugles and cow calls as well as breeding calls. Judges score each competitor anonymously. Winners in the six divisions of competition receive prizes and cash ranging from $500 to $2,500.

The 2012 competition is slated for Feb. 2-4 in Las Vegas.

The event helps raise awareness of RMEF elk, habitat and conservation initiatives.

Outdoor Life’s forecast includes mule deer and whitetail deer and as such Maine would prove to rank lower than many states simply because that state has only whitetail deer. The same dynamic takes place for states that only have mule deer.

Good news? Ummmmm, Maine beats out New Hampshire and Vermont….barely, along with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and let’s not forget Hawaii and Florida.

But I and we can sit here and poke fun of what’s happened to Maine’s deer hunting all we want but that isn’t going to change what I see as an extremely disturbing trend in this deer hunting forecast.

Outdoor Life provides an entire page to all 50 states about their deer hunting forecasts. On that page is a graph that shows the deer harvest for each state over the past five years – 2006-2010. It doesn’t take a trained statistician to discover the overwhelming trend nationwide in deer harvest is falling considerably. There are a handful of states showing increases in harvest but overall, it’s very troubling from my perspective. This, I wouldn’t think, would not bode well for the future prospects of deer hunting regardless of the reasons for the distinct decline.

Tom Remington