Pair of River Otters along the bank of Little River Great Smoky Mountain National Park Tn

River Otters were pretty common in the rivers in Tennessee and North Carolina back in the 1700’s. By the 1930’s trapping had about eliminated the river otter and in 1934 when the Smoky Mountain National Park was created the river otter was basically absent from the land.
In 1986 the National Park Service began to reintroduce the river otter to Great Smoky Mountain National Park with otters from North Carolina.

The National Park Service began a reintroduction program in 1986. Between February 26 and March 31, 11 river otters were obtained from North Carolina and released on Abrams Creek ( Griess, 1987). Beginning in December, 1988, 14 additional otters from South Carolina and Louisiana were released in Little River (Miller, 1992). Six otters were released in 1992 in Cataloochee Creek, four in Hazel Creek, and two in the Little River (DeLozier, pers. comm., December 1993). Most of the reintroduced otters established home ranges within the park, although one is known to have established a home range in the French Broad River outside the Park (Linzey, 1995a ). Three of the otters released in the Little River crossed the mountains and established their home ranges on the North Carolina side of the Park. During January, 1994, the National Park Sevice released 100 additional river otters from Louisiana into the following park streams: West Prong and Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River, Big Creek, Cataloochee Creek, Abrams Creek, Little River, Twentymile Creek, Tab Cat Creek, Oconaluftee River, Deep Creek, Eagle Creek, Forney Creek, Pilkey Creek, Chambers Creek, and Noland Creek. These releases concluded the otter reintroduction program.

Discover Life

River otters are making a comeback across their previous range with assistance of wildlife agencies ( Tennessee North Carolina and sportsmen who fund them. While I’ve seen signs of otters in areas I’ve visited until this morning I’ve never encountered any. While my encounter was only brief I ran into this pair along the banks of the Little River inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on the Tennessee side. Hopefully this specie will make a complete come back and sightings will become as common as deer.

The pileated woodpecker is a large bird and one I see fairly often but have not had much success in photographing. Yesterday morning I came across a pair of them inside Cades Cove part of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This is the 75th year anniversary of Great Smoky Mountain National Park and what a beautiful place to visit. For more Information on the pileated woodpecker check out Cornell Labs “All About Birds”

Cades Cove inside of Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a gem of a place to visit. Loaded with historical sites as well as wildlife it is a photographer’s dream. I focused mostly on the beauty of the nature within the valley and today was a great day.

Morning started off rather foggy in the valley.

Rare Sight this time of year doe nursing a fawn

Buck fight Saw this guy coming in with ears pinned back pretty aggresive posturing for a buck

Sizing each other up

Circling

The Lock Up

Some pushing

The Champ

All and all it was a wonderful day in the park and a great place to sit back and reflect on all the reasons we are blessed and thankful for them.

For more photos of the Wild Turkey check out the Turkey Feast I’m doing over at Moose’s Wild America

The day before Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest travel days. Budgets are tight and the roads will be packed so expect heavy enforcement. I asked an officer if there was any truth to officers having a quota of tickets? He assured me that this was not true and in fact they could write as many they wanted too. So slow it down and get to your gathering safely and enjoy your time with family and friends .

An off campus party ended tragically with a fatal shooting of Jay Franklin Derby a sophomore at ASU allegedly by Galen Elijah “Eli” Ruble.

Officers responded to an apartment in the App South complex on Faculty Street early Sunday morning in reference to a gunshot victim.

According to BPD, Derby was in attendance at a party at Ruble’s residence. During the course of the evening, Ruble brought out a black powder primitive single-shot rifle. He attempted to discharge a percussion cap in Derby’s direction to frighten those in attendance.

Watauga Democrat

A number of gun safety rules were violated if what is reported is accurate. Joking around with a gun can be extremely dangerous and in this case it was fatal. A horrible story for all that is involved two young lives destroyed for a joke. Please remind everyone, but especially young folks, about gun handling safety rules so tragedies like this doesn’t have to happen.

The fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling are:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

When using or storing a gun, always follow these NRA rules:

* Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

* Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun’s mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

* Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun’s general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun’s ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

* Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

* Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.

* Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

* Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person’s particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

* Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

* Cleaning
Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.

A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.

Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun’s action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

NRA

Such a sad story… both these families and this young man are in my prayers.

Aerial view of Pea Island Headquarters site taken on November 19, 2009 showing ocean encroachment to facilities. The residence is located further to the west on higher ground and is not shown in this picture. Photo credit: FWS, Dennis Stewart.

Pea Island is one of those gem of a places I’ve stumbled upon with my camera in tote so I was surprised when I saw the above photo. Ida rolled through here about two weeks ago and the pounding the coast took here in North Carolina was massive.

As is evident after any major storm, the profile of Pea Island has shifted. But, the refuge still looks and acts exactly like what it is – a simple, overwash-dominated barrier island. Refuge Biologist Dennis Stewart explained, “On this refuge, storms redistribute the sand. If the sand were left where the storms deposited it, the island would continue to migrate to the southwest, and the elevation would build as a result of the overwash. These barrier islands have been doing this for thousands of years.”

During this storm, NC 12 was overwashed in a number of places. Sections of dunes were flattened in a few areas and severely eroded along most of the refuge length. “We understand the responsibility of the NC Department of Transportation to provide a transportation corridor, and we have worked with them judiciously to allow them to repair NC 12 within their right-of-way as quickly as possible,” added Stewart. “But, we’re not surprised to see the effects of this storm. History and the best available science tell us we’ll see more of the same with each storm that comes.”

US Fish & Wildlife Press Release

NC Highway 12 will have to be moved according to DOT Road Engineer Jerry Jennings

the road was so damaged by the storm, they want to move it over 25 feet west of where the road is currently. He says they have to reconstruct it anyway, and officials hope that by moving it over, that will provide the road with more protection from storm overwash. He said they plan to move an 1800 foot section. They will not begin this work until after the Thanksgiving holiday in order not to create problems during that long weekend.

NC News Network

Building on shifting sand is never a good idea and that is basically what a barrier island is made of. Pea Island is open for visitors and guided tours have resumed so check the website. A great place to visit, explore and photograph especially this time of the year when all the migratory birds are wintering there. So check it out.

My Maine Moose 2005

On NC Hunt & Fish (message forum) a question was posed to what is your favorite hunting photo? Asking me that is tough because I love to shoot photos as much as hunting itself. There is no doubt that photos of trophies I’ve taken over the years certainly are very meaningful to me but at the same time photos I’ve shot on hunts with friends are probably more meaningful to me. So I couldn’t post all of these on the message forum so I’ll post them here. Then again I’m sure I’m missing a bunch as I post these but not owning a scanner these are the ones I have available.

Jody and his boy sitting in swan blind

Nap time

Breaktime in the blind

My Banded Goose

My first moose Maine 1997 Photo taken by my Dad at the check station

97 moose scout with Jon & Doug

A good day of swan hunting Billy Nicole and I

Taking down a cripple

Cold duck hunt in Orange County Troy in blind & Billy

Relay For Life Quail Hunt Photo 1

Photo 2 Just Feathers

Barnful of Memories ....Dorsetts Orange County

Woods To Far... Ummm John Doe in Snow Goose Decoy Spread

Moon over Decoy Spread. Mound City MO

Snow Goose Hunters Brian, Pickle, Avery, Billy and myself

Andy pulling dolphin on board

Pulling out of port

Maine Bear John and I

Youth Pheasant Hunt

Mike with a Snowy Grouper

Jody with a seabass

Me with an Amber Jack

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Gorilla Inc have announced a recall of the fall restraint system “EXO-Tech Safety Harness”.

The webbing of the waist belt on the safety harness is not routed through the lineman’s loop located on the front of the harness near waist level. Since the loops are not properly anchored to the harness webbing but are attached only through stitching not intended to restrain a user during a fall, they that can pull away from the harness when force is applied, leaving the user unrestrained.

Anyone that has this system should stop using it and contact Gorilla Inc about a refund.

: For additional information, contact Gorilla Inc. at (877) 685-7817 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gorillatreestands.com. Consumers can also write to the firm at Gorilla, Inc., P.O. 378, Flushing, MI., 48433 or 3475 Eastman Drive, Flushing, MI. 48433.

Like ya needed an excuse to get out and buy some ammo… well if you did here it is. National Ammo Day is a day gun owners hold a Buycott and purchase ammo in support of our 2nd Amendment Rights as well as support our gun and ammo manufactures.

November 19 is National Ammo Day.

It is a nationwide BUYcott of ammunition. You buy ammunition. 100 Rounds a person.

The goals of Ammo Day:

The goal of National Ammo Day is to empty the ammunition from the shelves of your local gun store, sporting goods, or hardware store and put that ammunition in the hands of law-abiding citizens. Make your support of the Second Amendment known–by voting with your dollars!

There are an estimated 75 MILLION gun owners in the United States of America. If each gun owner or Second Amendment supporter buys 100 rounds of ammunition, that’s 7.5 BILLION rounds in the hands of law-abiding citizens!

The gun/ammunition manufacturers have been taking the brunt of all the frivolous lawsuits, trying to put these folks out of business. Well, not if we can help it! And we CAN help it by buying ammunition on November 19!

National Ammo Day website

I’m sure if you can’t get out today then purchasing some in the next few days will help the cause. I stopped on my way home from work and purchased over 600 rounds. That will be a lot of target shooting, plinking, hunting, and if need be defending. I even picked up a box of Moose Killing Rounds Remington Core Lokt 220 grain 3006. Other then a coastal bear here in NC there is not much else I would use it for. I’m hopeful that in the near future I’ll get drawn for another Maine Moose both of my earlier ones were dropped with that particular round. Kind of surprised to see it on a store shelf here in NC so I had to add it to the cart.

So go on out and celebrate Ammo day