Throughout much of their ranges, different species of geese cause agricultural damage. For example, an older figure for the western United States noted that crop farms lose as much as $30,000 annually to geese. A Canadian researcher concluded that prairie-wide losses due to waterfowl ranged up to $10 million annually.
Do geese get scared? The Swedes aimed to find out Read More »
The use of DNA to identify individuals has been a mainstay in the legal system for a couple of decades. The advantage is clear: DNA is not affected by people’s perceptions, judgment, and instead is mostly unambiguous. In contrast, even eyewitness testimony can be wrong.
Below I recount a personal experience from well over a decade ago in which my forensics laboratory helped catch wildlife violators from a distance.
Forensics, law officers, and teamwork work together to nab poachers Read More »
Concern about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, or SARS-Cov-2, pandemic has waned and doesn’t garner as much media attention as it did when it emerged. However, COVID-19 (shorthand) the virus is still present and actively mutating, creating new strains that merit watching.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the virus is found in white-tailed deer. This obviously presents some issues, given the frequency with which we hunters consume venison.
Deer, you, and COVID-19; what’s the connection? Read More »
Going hunting or hiking in a state with venomous snakes? Read on.
Some evidence suggests that we’re born with a fear of snakes. Personally, I have gone both ways. I once kept snakes as a teen, which mostly ended when my large garter snake (note, they are not “gardner” snakes) escaped its cage and lived somewhere in our house for a couple of weeks. This sent my mother into a snake-fearing frenzy in which every step she took was preceded by careful inspection of where her foot would land.
I admit to being a bit behind regarding my grasp of PETA.
The last thing I remember was that we all chuckled when we heard that in 1995, Michael Doughney registered the domain peta.org as “People Eating Tasty Animals.” Alas, in 1996 Doughney was sued by the extremist organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and ultimately was forced to surrender the domain. However, once you’ve heard that PETA stands for people eating tasty animals, you can’t unhear it, so there’s that, at least. It’s still what I think of, almost 30 years later.
Bob Zink: PETA meets the Dunning-Kruger zone Read More »
How many birds are there, anyway?
If you wonder about the number of birds of a given species, you can access some remarkable current data here. It’s a joint effort between Partners in Flight and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.
You’ll learn that the American robin is apparently by far the most common bird in the United States and Canada, with an estimate of 370 million, followed in second place by the blue-gray gnatcatcher and chipping sparrow, both at 230 million.
What do estimates of bird populations tell us about these species? Read More »
I have friends who have varying degrees of meat aversion. One will eat fish, but no other meat. One has a pet pig and will eat nothing with pork in it. Another is a “locavore.” Some are strictly vegetarians, and I know a couple of vegans. And then there is part of my immediate family whose reaction to game meat is “ish.” No hope for them.
Bob Zink: Post-party illnesses a reminder of how to cook bear meat Read More »
In Minnesota and beyond, resource agencies across the country are managing elk and deer populations infected with chronic wasting disease.
Biologists have spent a century or more pondering why organisms look the way they do. Two common principle ideas include camouflage and mate attraction.
We thought that stripes on zebras were to confuse predators, break up the outline of the animals, or even provide individual identity (no two zebras look alike, at least to other zebras).
Why do some deer species retain spots in adulthood? Read More »
For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!
Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.
Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.
