The AuCoin Report

News Briefs from the Great Outdoors

September 2007

Fish bleeding virus in Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin wildlife officials have found a virus in the Lake Winnebago chain that causes bleeding in fish, including trophy fish like trout, bass and muskie. It is said to pose no threat to humans. (The Capital Times)

Hunters decline

Washington, D.C. – From 1996 to 2006 the number of hunters declined 10 percent to about 12.5 million. New England, Pacific states and Rocky Mountain states lost the most. (USFWS)

National sewage permitting system for boaters?

Boston, Massachusetts – Officials say it’s time to ban sewage dumped by boaters into Boston harbor but Boat U.S., representing 650,000 boat owners, says it’s really time to continue the law that exempts recreational boats and releases the EPA from an expensive national permitting system for recreational boats. (Boat U.S)

Bluefin tuna decline – quantity and quality

Seabrook, New Hampshire – New research documents a big decline in the harvest of bluefin tuna in the gulf of Maine. In addition, the quality of the 300-600 pound fish is poorer. (Eagle-Tribune)


Bald eagle recovery

Washington, D. C. – Bald eagles have been removed from endangered and threatened lists. Interior Secretary **** Kempthorn said there are now more than 10,000 pairs compared to only about 400 pairs in 1963.

Public comment on Ivory-billed plan

Little Rock, Arkansas – Public comment is open until October 22 on a Fish and Wildlife plan to spend $27 million to research habitat for the elusive or extinct (pick one) ivory-billed woodpecker. (Associated Press. USFWS)


Farmer’s Almanac: cold east, mild west

Lewiston, Maine – The new Farmers’ Almanac is out with its long-range forecast, said to be accurate 80-85 percent of the time, and it is predicting a colder winter east of the Mississippi and a milder winter west of the big muddy. (Farmer’s Almanac”


Yellowstone controversies
Yellowstone National Park – Lots of wolves. Too many bears. Bison infection. What happened to the cutthroat trout? Yellowstone National Park reflects the recent success and failure of public policy and bitter new arguments about how best to manage wild populations. (Chicago Tribune)


Nuisance bears

Denver, Colorado – Black bears in Colorado and other states are finding food in all the wrong places. Wildlife officials are worried about the animals when they go into their late-summer feeding frenzy. (Denver Post)


Birth control for deer?

Newark, New Jersey – Is it possible to limit deer populations with contraceptives? Biologist Anthony DiNicola studied a captive herd of 51 animals in New Jersey for two years and concluded that one immuno-contraceptive falls short. (Newark Star-Ledger)

Mosquito equation: rain (lots) plus high temps equal repellents

Cartersville, Georgia – Southern Beaufort County, Georgia was ground zero for the battle against mosquitoes recently. Lots of rain and high temperatures generated lots of the biting insects and, to make matters worse, the extreme heat grounded the county’s aircraft used for spraying. Insect expert Dan Ritter said the situation in Beaufort County serves as a reminder of the need to take personal responsibility to protect children and pets from mosquitoes and the diseases they bring. Ritter recommends the liberal use of repellents with natural ingredients such as Bugband repellent. More information is available at www.bugband.net. Phone 1-800-473-9467. [Media: contact Dan Ritter, [email protected]]

Mangrove tunnel kayaking

St. Petersburg, Florida – Visitors to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area are discovering what locals have been doing for years – kayaking through mangrove tunnels, hiking across tree-top boardwalks, and photographing exotic birds in the wild. Florida’s most populated county stakes a claim to the title of most natural, too. (Nashville Tennessean)


Blast and Cast” an unforgettable hunting and fishing adventure

Trenton, Florida- The Gilchrist Club, a 23,000-acre premier hunting and sporting plantation offers a unique chance of a lifetime. A spectacular half day guided hunt for bobwhite quail in pristine Florida pines, over some of the best working dogs in the country plus a guided half day of stalking and catching magnificent red fish around the oyster bars and flats of Cedar Key. Enjoy luxury accommodations, fine dining and spectacular service at one of the Southeast finest Plantations. The Gilchrist Club is available for Corporate and individual hunts for quail, Osceola turkey, whitetail deer and hog. www.gilchristclub.com (Media Contact: Leiza Fitzgerald 727-803-4030; [email protected])

Troll fast and deep

Largo, Florida – Trolling deeper and faster is often the key offshore for strikes from marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, dolphin and mackerel. For this Island Lures has introduced a new trolling lure – Ilander® heavy-weight – with a four-ounce, dynamically shaped bullet head to keep it running deep and stable even at very fast trolling speeds. The new Ilander, model IL400HF, is available in eight different two-color patterns with durable nylon fiber skirts for unmatched brilliance and natural motion. $26.99. For more information go to www.ilandlures.com or phone 727-584-7691. [Media contact: Eric Bachnik, 727-584-7691, [email protected]. L&S Bait Company.com]

Now it’s safe for presbyopics to go outside

Mobile, Alabama – Now there are polarized sunglasses with built-in readers, just in time for 129 active baby boomers and others experiencing the effects of aging eyes – presbyopia. Now one pair of fashionable sunglasses give them clear distance foscus as well as the ability to read a book on the beach, peruse a menu at an outdoor café, refer to a program at an outdoor sporting event, and see to do a million other close-up tasks outdoors. Ono’s Trading Company, which pioneered sunglasses with low-profile, bifocal readers, has introduced two fashionable unisex titanium models with magnification from 1.50 to 2.50. Seven other models, also with 100 percent UVA/UVB protection, allow users to clearly focus – close-up and far away. Information at www.onostradingcompany.com or phone 1-866-865-4695. [Media: Contact Bill AuCoin, AuCoin & Associates, Inc. 727-522-2371, [email protected]]

Peace through fly-fishing--the novel

New York, New York – Anglers are usually treated to books and articles about how to catch more fish. Now there is a compelling novel that describes one fly caster’s search for for personal peace and for the answer to this question: Can the future be perfected like a fly cast? Randy Kadish is the author of The Fly Caster Who Tried to Make Peace with the World. (Amazon)

Wanna Make a Splash?

This summer, individuals looking to hit the water and learn more about boating should visit DiscoverBoating.com and check out the website’s latest feature—the global Test Drive Calendar. The calendar currently lists upcoming boat demo and test drive events sponsored by manufacturers and dealers across the country, with new events added weekly. There’s no better way to get on the water, get your questions answered and get set on a course to choosing the right boat for your family! For a complete listing visit www.DiscoverBoating.com/resources/testdrive.aspx. [Media contact: Lindsey Johnson ([email protected]; 312-946-6204)]

Bear beats up biker

Olalla, Washington – A black bear attacked and injured a mountain biker who surprised it on a trail in Washington State. (Outdoor Pressroom)

Rapunzel, rappelling, wrapped, rescued. Oh what a tangled web she wove

Boise, Idaho – A woman with long hair caught her braids in her rappelling device then dangled from a cliff next to the Boise River for 30 minutes until she was disentangled and lowered safely, but shaken, to the waiting arms of a rescuer. (Outdoor Pressroom)