Here’s what’s worth reading today, Thursday, May 2, 2019:
Urban fishing, war on salvinia about to heat up: May signals summer’s arrival for Texas’ 1.3 million or so freshwater anglers; never mind that the calendar says it’s still spring for almost two more months. Sometime this month in most of the state, the benchmark by which many Texans gauge summer’s onset will arrive. The daytime high will climb past 90 degrees, a point the thermometer will reach or exceed almost every day for the coming four months or so.
Florida teachers can arm themselves under new gun bill: Florida’s legislature on Wednesday passed a bill allowing teachers to carry guns in the classroom, expanding a program launched after the deadly high school shooting in Parkland with the aim of preventing another such massacre.
Wild turkey nests face huge threats from predators: The wild turkey is one of a group of birds biologists refer to as ground nesters. As the name implies, it lays its eggs on the ground as opposed to in a tree, shrub, or other spot above ground. This makes wild turkey nests vulnerable to a wide range of animals.
Tarpon season has arrived: The magic water temperature come spring each year is 75 degrees, which brings the annual migration of silver kings to our shores. A lot of other factors come into play as well, especially the presence of plenty of food for the ravenous appetites of pre-spawn tarpon.
Alabama lawmakers approve hunting deer with bait: A bill to allow hunters to buy licenses to hunt deer and feral hogs over bait has passed the Alabama Legislature after several years of falling short. Under current law, hunters must be at least 100 yards away and out of the line of sight of bait. Under the bill that passed, hunters could buy a bait privilege license that would exempt them from the 100-yard, line of sight rule. Alabama hunters would pay a $15 annual fee. Out-of-state residents would pay $51.
Try these amberjack fishing alternatives to bring from water to plate this May: Gulf Coast fishermen heard bad news this spring as the scheduled greater amberjack May season closed before it ever started by decree from federal officials. Additionally, gray triggerfish season was shortened and will close at 12:01 a.m. on May 11 and remain closed until March 2020. There’s little reason for anglers to fret, however, as the fishing is still good in and around the Gulf of Mexico. Here are a few amberjack and triggerfish alternatives to pursue this May.
New rules proposed for hunters in battling chronic wasting disease: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks confirms 19 deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease in six counties. The department is also looking to propose new rules for hunters for the upcoming season. Although no human cases have been reported, Russ Walsh, Executive Wildlife Bureau Director, is still asking hunters to exercise caution when hunting deer.
Crowds expected for opening of Wyoming antler hunting season: Federal agencies are gearing up for the droves of people expected to hunt horns or shed antlers on public lands in Wyoming. The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports the opening of antler hunting season coincides with lifting of closures for large tracts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Conserving wildlife migrations is part science, part policy: The wide-open spaces of the American West contain one of our nation’s greatest assets: a vast network of public lands that in turn support an abundant variety of wildlife. These lands and animals form the fabric of many communities, enriching local economies and cultures, supporting outdoor recreation and boosting the ecological health of the region. That’s why it’s vital that the migration routes of our wildlife — and the habitat these routes connect — remain as free as possible of human-made impediments such as roads and development.
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