Part I, Part II, Part IV, Part V, Part VI

The book, Early Maine Wildlife – Historical Accounts of Canada lynx, Moose, Mountain Lion, White-Tailed Deer, Wolverine, Wolves, and Woodland Caribou, 1603 – 1930 – by William B. Krohn and Christopher L. Hoving, is proving to be an interesting addition to my library. I think the authors did a decent job of putting this information together; one, to make it readable, and, two, to give a reader a sense of the changes taking place across the lands over extended periods of time. I am glad they chose to list the entries in chronological order. Of course these changes come with no real explanations from the observers, often just recalling what it used to be like.

In 1860, J.G. Rich writes in the Bethel Courier about his hunts for caribou. He also explains that he has shot and killed two caribou in the previous 6 years and then states, “many hunters from different parts of the State have told me that the species [caribou] are almost extinct in Maine”. Obviously Rich wasn’t into conservation of wildlife, which most of us know came a bit later on after it was decided something needed to be done.

Henry David Thoreau relates the reports he got from lumbermen and hunters in the mid-1800s through the late-1800s. In 1858 he writes, “The lumberers told me that there were many moose thereabouts, but no caribou or deer.”

It was in 1860 when M.R. Keep told the tale of when the French first settled in the Madawaska area in Northern Maine, along the St. John River, the Indians got angry because the French were killing their moose and caribou. The story goes that the Indians, out of spite, slaughtered all the moose, and, “For twenty years or more, not a moose was seen or heard from in all Northern Maine or the adjoining borders of New Brunswick[.]”

However, wolves were still an often talked about species. Thoreau often spent time “listening” throughout his travels in Maine to hear the wolves howl. While people howled about the threats and utter destruction the animal caused.

It was in 1855 that C. Hardy wrote about what he knew of the grey wolf.

“The gray wolf (Canis lupus) has but lately made its appearance in Nova Scotia, not as in other provinces, however, in company with his prey, the Canadian deer (Cervus virginianus). The gray wolf is a large, fierce, and powerful animal. In Maine and New Brunswick, several instances have been known of his attacking singly and destroying a human being. This animal sometimes grows to the length of six feet. The hair is long, fine, and of a silver grey. A broad band of black, here and there, showing shiny silvery hairs, extend from the head down the back. The tail is long and bushy, as the brush of a fox. A wolf skin forms a frequent decoration for the back of a sleigh.”

This is the first I have read in this book (although I am barely past page 100 of 500) of reports of wolves attacking and killing people. I should point out that in reading accounts of wolves beginning in the very early 1600s, most descriptions of wolves up to this point related that they were wary of humans and for the most part steered clear. While there were also reports of some savagery of wolves on livestock, the number of those reports paled in comparison to the accounts of how the wolves feed on available wild prey, such as deer, moose, rodents, etc.

At this juncture, it appears that we may be actually seeing a pattern take place. As the reports from observers seem to be passing on the reduction of game animals and in some cases the lack thereof, i.e. the extinction of the caribou, incidents of livestock kill and now reports of attacks on humans are on the increase.

In 1842, Z. Thompson, in his “History of Vermont”, writes about “The Common Wolf”.

“For some years after the settlement of this state was commenced, wolves were so numerous and made such havoc of the flocks of the sheep, that the keeping of sheep was a very precarious business. At some seasons particularly in the winter they would prowl through the settlements at night and large companies, destroying whole flocks in their way, and, after drinking their blood and perhaps eating a small portion of the choicest and tenderest parts, would leave the carcasses scattered about the enclosure and go in quest of new victims. Slaughter and instruction seemed their chief delight; and while marauding the country they kept up such horrid and prolonged howlings as were calculated, not only to thrill terror through their timorous victims, but to appall the hearts of the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Though sheep seems to be their favorite victim, wolves sometimes destroyed calves, dogs, and other domestic animals; and in the forest they prey upon deer, foxes, hares and other such animals as they can take. Impelled by hunger they have been known in this state to attack persons.”

Here is another account of attacks on people. And also notice that the indicator in the statement about attacks on people is, “Impelled by hunger”. If the accounts being recorded have much accuracy at all, we see that for what may be multiple reasons, the prey base for wolves is diminishing. This increases the incidents of livestock depredation and attacks on humans. I believe it only correct to make that assumption, knowing what we do about wolf behavior.

In addition, this account of Thompson’s, gives us our first glimpse into surplus killing or sport killing that protectors of predators such as the wolf and coyote so readily deny. Thompson describes the wolves’ actions as being anything but savage and pointless. Why has it been 150 years before these kinds of reports are showing up?

I am curious as to whether readers are surprised to learn of these incidences by wolves in Maine – their savagery of livestock and attacks on humans? I would guess they are, as they have been indoctrinated to believe that there has never been an attack on a human by wolves in the lower 48 states. These early observers and recorders of wildlife from the early 1600s, seem to have a differing set of facts.

Tom Remington

WATERBURY , VT — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has received about 95 percent of deer harvest reports from big game reporting stations. Earlier reports suggested that the 2010 deer harvest would be lower. Harvest reports received by the department now indicate the total deer harvest from youth, archery, rifle and muzzleloader seasons combined will be about 15,675 deer, up slightly from 15,237 in 2009. Vermont ’s whitetail population is healthy, and the forked-horn antler restriction has resulted in a greater proportion of older bucks in the harvest and in the deer population.

The modest increase in the over-all deer harvest is a result of an increase in the buck harvest during the 16-day rifle season, projected to be about 6,775 rifle bucks compared to 6,017 in 2009. The other projected 2010 deer harvests are: 2,975 deer in archery season; 1,725 on youth weekend; and 4,200 during muzzleloader season. The total antlered buck harvest for all seasons is projected to be about 8,775 bucks which is very close to what the department expected.

Although most big game check stations have returned their reports to the department, harvest results will remain preliminary until all reports have been received. Final harvest numbers should be within five percent of the above projections. The department expects final results to be available in January. A detailed annual deer harvest report will be available on the department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) by early March. On the department website under “Hunting and Trapping,” click on “Big Game” and then on “Big Game Harvest Reports.”

Hunters continue to provide the means for managing Vermont ’s white-tailed deer populations across the state. Post-hunt deer densities in most regions of the state remain at levels within management objectives set forth in Vermont ’s new big game plan for 2010–2020, also available on the department website. There are regions in the state where some people feel there are either too many or too few deer. Deer management will always be a balancing act and require a continuous series of corrections to keep deer from becoming too many, thus doing harm the forest ecosystem, or “too few” to provide for the desired opportunities to view and hunt deer.

Based on weights of deer collected by wildlife biologists during the weekend of youth hunting in early November, Vermont ’s deer herd is as healthy now as it has been at any time since the 1940s when such data were first collected. Deer that go into winter with heavier body weighs are better able to survive harsh winter conditions. Winter mortality of deer in recent years has been a small fraction of what occurred in Vermont from the 1950s through the 1970s when deer were chronically overabundant.

Vermont ’s annual deer hunt yields more than 8000,000 pounds of local nutritious venison each year worth millions of dollars in food value alone. The Fish and Wildlife Department’s primary deer management objective is to manage Vermont ’s deer populations to be abundant, but not overabundant, for all Vermonters to enjoy now and indefinitely into the future.

The story and information on this can be found at the Burlington Free Press.

A Hunting Camp Spotlight by Blaine Cardilli

The Lodge & Accommodations

Many sportsmen today crave that true “hunting camp” experience and surprisingly it’s never usually that far from home…if you know where to look. I often try to get out and venture to various hunting camps looking for good deals and a good time, showcasing them, and this month “NORTHWOODS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES” in Washington, Vermont, is one of those places.

Nestled deep in the majestic Green Mountain Range of upstate central Vermont, the lodge, which sits on 1,500 base acres, resembles something out of an old Louis L’Amour novel. Rustic and nostalgic, it’s a fair sized genuine log-cabin building yet at the same time so cozy and welcoming you’ll never want to leave it’s warmth and charm.

Driving up the continuous incline into the mountains, there’s a turn off that takes you from the main highway and leads you up a long, winding, dusty dirt road, the culmination of which is the lodge and property at the very end which sits about 1,500 feet above sea level, nestled into a beautiful little mountain valley. As you walk from the back parking lot up the grassy knoll and around to the front of the main cabin your breath will literally be taken away once you glimpse the view from the front porch. Leaning against the large log posts that hold up the old roof, you’ll find yourself gazing upon a picture that might as well have come from a huge ranch somewhere in the Montana wilderness.

On both sides of the lodge, the Green Mountains rise up to sky level, peaking at 3200 feet above sea level, revealing transition zones that go from mixed deciduous hardwoods to thick evergreen forests, back to hardwood ridges at the top. In front of you a long sloping grassy hill unfolds like a lush green carpet, rolling down and flattening out at the bottom revealing a thick lush meadow, complete with a beaver pond that boasts trout, (rainbow and brookies in excess of 20 inches), as well as countless varieties of other bird, plant and animal life indigenous to the mountains.

The lodge itself sleeps 24 very comfortably, with a main living room area complete with cathedral ceiling and loft, a fireplace, and a comfortable sitting area for guests. Just off the living room is the kitchen, complete with all amenities, a hallway, a downstairs bathroom, and three connecting bedrooms, one of which contains three beds, one with two beds, (single and double), and a bedroom that contains six beds.

If you climb the creaky, rustic stairway to the loft area, you’ll find a small walkway overlooking the main living room, complete with a built in bookshelf, books, and sitting area as well as another bathroom and two big bedrooms. One room contains a queen-sized bed by itself while the other holds four sets of log-style bunk beds. You couldn’t ask for better accommodations so far out in the wilderness.

Once settled in to your new “home away from home”, there’s no place like the front porch for sitting around with new friends and hunting partners, discussing the upcoming strategies for the weeks hunt with owner, manager and guide, Steve Barbour. Steve is a 51 year old savvy “mountain man-slash-hunter/guide” who knows these mountains and swamps like the back of his proverbial hand. With graying
hair and several days worth of grizzled white stubble across his weather-beaten face, you’ll know right away you’re in very good hands with Steve as he teases you with his quick wit and winks at you through crystal clear blue eyes. The old saying goes, “Never guide the guide”, and with Steve you know right away you won’t have to!

Affordable Hunting Packages

The main draw of “NORTHWOODS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES” is the affordability of price and the variety of services available. Because Steve and wife Judy also cater on-site wilderness weddings, pig roasts, and corporate business getaways, as well as being open all year round for family vacations, skiing and snowmobiling events and functions, they can offer the hunter some of the best and most affordable hunting packages available anywhere in the country. Whether you wish to hunt whitetailed deer, black bear, moose, turkeys, upland birds or coyotes, Steve has a package anyone can afford. If you don’t believe me, check out these prices….

**Deer hunting…….$695 for 5-day package

**Bear hunting…….$795 for 5-day package

**Moose hunting….$1595 for 5-day package

**Coyote hunting…..$595 for 5-day package

**Spring turkey hunts….$125/day or $299 for 3-day package or $595 for 5-day packages

**Grouse hunting……..$125/day or $299 for 3-day package

All packages and hunts include three meals a day, lodging, (either in the main lodge or a yurt located more than a mile away up in the mountains), transport to and from your stands, (and there are ground blinds and 2-man ladder stands scattered throughout the hunting area), and retrieval and care of your trophies. And Steve will guarantee each and every hunter a stand covering a minimum of 200 acres for each hunter so no one has to worry about a hunt being interrupted by other hunters.

And when it comes to enjoying your hunt-camp experience, most hunters will agree that the grub and vittles are almost as important as the hunt itself and both Steve and Judy will definitely take care of you so you’ll never go away hungry!

In the evenings, dinner is catered by Miss Judy from their home down the road, right to the lodge, and you can expect anything from baked, stuffed chicken with cream sauce, to thick, rich lasagna with garlic bread, to hot steamed, buttered veggies, to roast beef dinners with all the trimmings. And everything is homemade, from the garlic breads right down to the rich desserts and all hunters sit in a rustic dining area around a circular table, passing the dishes back and forth and chatting with each other just like back home.

When morning comes, Steve arrives at the lodge around 3:30am, puts on the coffee, and starts cooking breakfast, which can be anything on any given morning from bacon, eggs and sausages, to pancakes and corn bread muffins with real Vermont made syrup, to cereal…you name it.

Wake-up call is at 4:00am and while you shower up, the smell of a fresh country breakfast wafting through the lodge greets you, and after a good hearty meal, Steve will have you on-stand by 5:30am. In Bear Camp 2010 we hunted until 10:30am, came in for lunch and a rest, and were back on-stand from 3:00pm until dark, with a huge dinner being served up in the main lodge at about 8:30pm.

BEAR CAMP 2010

Bear hunting in Vermont for the most part is by “spot and stalk” only, rather than baiting, and if you’ve never hunted bears in this manner, you need to give Steve a call and set up a hunt. Believe me, you won’t regret it. Steve’s success rate in getting hunters on trophy sized black bears is phenomenal and though nothing is guaranteed, you will never be disappointed.

This year, I went with hunting partner Norm Sargent, both of us traveling the 5.5 hours west from Maine to the lodge, and it would be our very first experience hunting bears by spot and stalk. We were here filming the entire hunt for “AVERAGE JOE’S HUNTIN’ SHOW”, now in it’s second season on the Pursuit Channel- 608 HUNT.

Upon arrival we met up with Blaine Anthony, host of “NORTH AMERICAN SAFARI”, (The Sportsmans Channel), who was on the last day of a three-day hunt himself. The problems that were being encountered this particular season were heat-induced, as this year in the northeast it had proven to be the hottest, driest, and earliest summer on record since the 1920′s. With night-time temperatures dropping to a warm 75+ degrees and daytime highs hovering consistently around the 92 degree mark with no breezes whatsoever, the bears had shut down completely, taking refuge in the deep dark cool swamps by day, and only venturing out to forage for food when it was well after dark.

Norm and I got to sit together in a 2-man ladder stand that first evening and though we didn’t see any bears, we did have a great time filming and watching numerous forms of wildlife. The walk out was harrowing for us flatlanders as I’m not used to traipsing through a narrow two-foot wide trail with 6 foot high grass on both sides, out into a grassy tote road lined with high banks and apple trees, for a 300 yard walk to meet Steve….all in bear woods and all well after dark…lol. Steve got a kick out of us I’m sure.

We hunted extremely hard the next day in the same heat but saw only a cow moose and her calf come by the stand. Steve met us on night #2 but this time he had Miss Karen Turner with him at the truck, also known as the “Vermont Huntress”, a petite young woman who has made her mark spearheading events to get kids and women into the outdoors by organizing fishing derbies and contests to generate much needed publicity in that area.

After chowing down on Miss Judy’s incredible lasagna that evening, Karen, Norm and I all went out to sit on the front porch of the lodge and enjoy the night sounds and slowly cooling air that was moving in. Also in camp were two young hunters from New York, Kyle Livsey and Mike Ryan. Mike had been a guest with Steve in 2009 and had taken a nice bear. This year they, too, were experiencing less sightings due to the high heat and reduced movement but we were all hopeful and excited just to be out hunting.

The following two days saw a front move in with cooler air but the change in conditions would be too late to save mine and Norm’s hunt, as we were leaving after only a 3-day stay. On the last day of the hunt, Steve pulled out all the stops and walked us through literally miles of mountain trails and deep wet swamps, where bears were sighted on four separate occasions one morning but no shots were fired.

I did get to try my hand at calling bears for the very first time while Norm and I were on-stand and in using a series of cub distress calls, we had what we were pretty sure was a bear come in from about 300 yards away. Norm heard the heavy lumbering steps as it crunched some sticks coming down off a nearby ridge in the early morning and it appeared to move cautiously and steadily down through the thick brush towards us, until it made it to the downwind side of the stand where all noises ceased, never to be heard again. Still, it was an incredible adrenaline rush just to have one responding.

Meanwhile, Karen had been sitting in a stand by herself and at 6:40am had a bear come out in front of her moving slowly from 80 yards all the way to 20, offering her four separate broadside opportunities. Having been on several bear hunts in the past but not yet having any opportunities to pull the trigger before this hunt, Karen showed all the restraint of a truly seasoned huntress as she let the bear walk, guessing it to be just a little too small. Upon later examination of the tracks and tree it had stretched on, Steve confirmed it was indeed a smaller bear, probably 125-130 lbs, and though a borderline shooter for some, Steve was glad Karen had the savvy to let this bear walk and grow for another season. Way to go Karen!

That same morning, Mike Ryan let a bear of slightly smaller stature walk and as the weekend came to a close, no bears were dropped, however the season was still far from over and continues on at the time of this writing. Though Norm and I had only the first 3 days of the season to hunt, we were more than satisfied by all the bear sign we saw, and felt a sense of reverence in having the opportunity to hunt bears under such challenging conditions, and in such a remotely beautiful place beside some of the best friends we have ever gotten the chance to meet. For us, this is just the beginning.

Plan Your Hunt With Steve Barbour in 2011

Norm Sargent and I, along with our new friends from New York plus Miss Karen Turner will be headed back to Steve’s in May for Turkey Camp 2011. We will be rolling the cameras once again for ‘AVERAGE JOE’S HUNTIN’ SHOW’, too. So if you’d like to come join us for that and/or a September bear hunt or any one of the hunt packages Steve has to offer at ‘NORTHWOODS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES’ , contact Steve or find him on Facebook under his name and book ahead. Deposits are required in advance.

(Blaine Cardilli is a contributing writer for U.S.Hunting Today as well as an outdoor columnist and seminar speaker on deer & turkey hunting in the northeast; A member of several Field Prostaff’s, Blaine is also the Vice Executive Crew Director for “AVERAGE JOES HUNTIN’ SHOW” seen weekly on The Pursuit Channel 608-HUNT; He can be reached at indianwd@hotmail.com)

Waterbury, VT – The winners of Vermont ’s 2010 moose hunting permits were determined July 09 at a lottery drawing in Waterbury .

Michael O’Neill of Sheffield , Vt , who attended to witness the drawing, started the computer-generated selection process that randomly picked 765 winners among more than 12,000 people who applied this year.

The drawing is done by a random sort of applications that were submitted by a June 1 deadline. Lottery applications were $10.00 for residents and $25.00 for nonresidents.

People who applied last year and didn’t get a permit were given a bonus point, increasing their odds of winning a permit in future moose permit lotteries.

In addition to the regular lottery drawing, a “special priority drawing” was held for five permits to go to applicants who have received, or are eligible to receive, a Campaign Ribbon for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan). Valid applications were received from 63 people. These five permits were drawn first. The unsuccessful applicants from the Iraqi-Afghanistan drawing were included in the larger regular drawing that followed. All applicants for both drawings who did not receive a permit were awarded a bonus point to improve their chances in future moose permit lotteries.

“Today’s lottery drawing helps celebrate one of Vermont ’s successes in science-based wildlife management,” said State Wildlife Biologist Cedric Alexander. “ Vermont ’s moose management program has worked well since the first hunt in 1993, when 25 moose were taken with 30 permits issued. We expect 400-450 moose will be taken this fall in a carefully regulated hunt.”

Winners of this year’s moose hunting permits are posted in a searchable database on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “Hunting and Trapping” and then on “Lottery Applications and Winners.”

Permit winners will purchase resident hunting permits for $100 and nonresident permits for $350. Ten percent of the permits go to nonresidents. Payments for the hunting permits must be by money order, bank check or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted. Payments must be received in the Waterbury Fish and Wildlife office by July 26, 2010.

Those who didn’t win in the lottery may bid in a sealed-bid auction for five moose hunting permits. To receive a 2010 Moose permit bid kit, contact the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street , Waterbury , VT 05651-0501 . Telephone 802-241-3700 or email (fwinformation@state.vt.us). The deadline for bids is August 3.

Vermont law prohibits anyone who has held a Vermont moose hunting permit within any of the previous three calendar years from applying for a moose hunting permit or a bonus point in the current year. This includes permits awarded through the auction bid process.

Incrementalism is a word that many of us use to describe the tiny little steps environmentalists take to achieve their agenda goals. They may realize that taking large chunks receive too much opposition but tiny steps don’t appear so intrusive and as such people tend to “let things slide”.

Back last March, 2009, I told readers about efforts by a handful of people to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect wolves and coyotes in the Northeast Region. The request essentially asked the USFWS to do three things: 1. Create a Distinct Population Segment for gray wolves in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, ; 2. Design and implement a Northeastern Gray Wolf Recovery Plan, and; 3. Regulate the commerce or taking, and treat as endangered species in the States of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, coyotes (Canis latrans), coyote/gray wolf hybrids (Canis latrans x Canis lupus), eastern wolves (Canis lycaon), eastern wolf/gray wolf hybrids (Canis lycaon x Canis lupus), coyote/eastern wolf hybrids (Canis latrans x Canis lycaon), and coyote/eastern wolf/gray wolf hybrids (Canis latrans x Canis lycaon x Canis lupus) because of their close resemblance to the federally endangered and protected gray wolf.

According to a 90-day finding on the request, the USFWS states that requesting a wolf management plan and to regulate the commerce of taking coyotes, wolves, etc. are not petitionable items under the Endangered Species Act. As the petition pertains to the creation of a Distinct Population Segment of gray wolves, the USFWS responded accordingly:

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list a Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in five northeastern States as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing a DPS of the gray wolf in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine may be warranted. Therefore, we will not initiate a further status review in response to this petition. However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time, any new information that becomes available concerning the presence of the gray wolf in the northeastern United States, particularly information to substantiate the presence of breeding pairs.

The petitioners have an agenda and as we have been witness to for years, they are attempting to abuse and manipulate an outdated and poorly written Endangered Species Act to put a stop to all hunting and trapping disguised as protecting animals. While the USFWS for now says that no DPS will be created, they have left the door open and are asking people to notify them about findings of gray wolves, etc. Just being witness to this nonsense makes one seriously ask why they would at all be interested in helping in the discovery of gray wolves in their area. When we see the destruction of private property, including the slaughter of livestock and other domestic animals, along with a stripping away of property and property rights, caused as a result of protecting these critters, it’s ridiculous for anyone to consider inviting the federal government in to further control their lives and destroy the wildlife ecosystems we have now.

Think about it!

Tom Remington

Waterbury, VT – The deadline to apply for a Vermont moose hunting permit is Tuesday, June 1.

Applications are available at license agents statewide. Those applications must be postmarked no later than June 1, or delivered by 4:30 p.m. on that day to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department in Waterbury .

Applications are also available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under “Hunting and Trapping,” click on Lottery Applications. Online applications must be entered by midnight, June 1.

Lottery applications are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Winners of the permit lottery will purchase resident permits for $100 and nonresident permits for $350.

Proposed hunting season dates for this moose season are October 16-21, 2010. A total of 765 either-sex moose hunting permits will be issued for this season, and 400-450 moose are expected to be taken. Regulations for this season allow the hunter to take moose with certain firearms or bow and arrow.

A lottery to issue hunting permits for a separate archery moose hunting season October 2-9, 2010 is being considered and may be announced in June.

“Our goal is to manage Vermont ’s moose population to keep it in balance with available habitat,” said Cedric Alexander , Vermont ’s lead biologist on moose. “Carefully constructed hunting regulations enable us once again to enjoy having moose in Vermont on a sustainable basis, while their numbers are maintained at levels that fit habitat capacity and the needs of people.”

Keith Armstrong of Pownal, a representative to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board for the Bennington County area, said he will resign his position on the board in protest of the board’s decision to increase the number of antlerless deer permits.

The Bennington Banner covers the story.

Tom Remington

Are you wondering if you were one of the lucky ones to win a Vermont moose permit. At the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website, you can search your own name to see if you are listing, or click here and view all the winners.

Tom Remington

A Vermont couple aren’t too happy with the reactions of their son’s fourth grade teacher who acted more like a second grade student when it came to hearing the conversation between two boys about turkey hunting.

“Jared’s teacher covered her ears, trying to block the conversation, and singing ‘la la la la.’ When asked by another school employee about her odd behavior, the teacher claimed she did not want to hear about the boys and their ‘killing.’ The boys were left feeling that they were not legitimate hunters, but ‘killers’ in the eyes of an important authority figure in their lives,” Bordwell said.

How old is this woman? Maybe this let’s us know she’s not out of second grade yet.

“The confrontation ended with Ms. Backus demanding that Marty leave the classroom, screeching, ‘I went hiking this weekend and saw a moose and a bear, and I will never tell you where they are because you might kill them,” Bordwell said.

There’s nothing wrong with our education system.

The Boston Globe has more.

Tom Remington