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Here’s what’s worth reading today, Wednesday, April 15, 2020:
As pandemic lingers, charter fishing captains try to stay afloat
On a normal spring morning, when March has segued to April and legions of snook scurry in shallow water near robust mangroves, Tom Campbell’s boat and schedule would be packed. His 24-foot Canyon Bay with the half tower and 300-horsepower engine would be hauling corporate types, locals or even the last wave of spring-breakers across flats and beneath bridges. He’d be baiting one hook after another with pilchards, suggesting where customers should cast for optimal chance of pulling in that trophy redfish, or at least that evening’s entrée.
“This time of year, it’s not uncommon to run a dozen (charters) a week,” Campbell said.
Yet on this cloudless, cool Thursday morning, Campbell’s boat is empty as he idles toward a vacant ramp at Maximo Park in south St. Petersburg. A blissful day like this normally would be bountiful for him and the customers, who normally pay $400 (per two anglers) for a half day and $700 for eight hours.
But the coronavirus pandemic has cost him 28 charters in March alone.
“Really, it’s kind of demoralizing because it’s like, ‘Man, this is gonna be a great year,’” said Campbell, operator of Salinity Now charter fishing service.
Prince Harry will stop hunting because Meghan doesn’t like it, Jane Goodall says
Prince Harry will probably stop hunting and shooting because his wife Meghan doesn’t like it, according to wildlife expert Jane Goodall.
Goodall, 86, said the prince and his brother William were champions of the natural world, but indicated the Duchess of Sussex’s views could have more impact on Harry as they settle into life in Los Angeles. Talking about the royals’ work in supporting the natural world, Dr Goodall said: “Yes, except they hunt and shoot. But I think Harry will stop because Meghan doesn’t like hunting, so I suspect that is over for him.” The Royal Family takes part in shooting at various times of year, including a Boxing Day hunt.
Why I’m teaching my kids to hunt
When I tell people that I hunt, I hear the gasps and see the looks of shock. After all, I’m a woman. Women aren’t “supposed” to hunt, right?
Aren’t we supposed to have our hair, nails and make-up done, and be dedicated to cooking and raising children? Even in 2020, far too many of us have been stripped of our permission to be wild. But I digress.
I didn’t grow up as a tomboy; I was actually quite prissy, and still am. I’m a city girl who goes to charity events and volunteers at my kids’ school in Dallas. But I do hunt. And I’m teaching my children why my husband and I choose to do so. We let them see our dead animals, their blood and their lifeless bodies. We let them play with toy guns and now they know how to shoot BB guns. They practice “shooting” the mounted animals in our home.
Sounds like I’m a horrible mom, huh?
Alaska sport fishing season opens with virus guidelines
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has opened the state’s sportfishing season while reminding participants to adhere to health restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
The department commissioner’s office said in a letter that sport and personal use fishing will remain open during the 2020 season in compliance with health mandates. The department also issued guidance on ways Alaska residents can slow the spread of COVID-19 while taking advantage of nearby fisheries.
Subsistence fishing remains open and unrestricted, while a travel ban between communities issued by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy does not include travel to fishing locations.
Now is a good time to train new puppies
As odd as it may seem, I have been getting lots of calls from potential clients who have just purchased new puppies. While a pandemic might not initially seem like the best time to spend the money, I can’t think of a better time to be getting a new pup.
All of this extra time at home will provide puppy owners a great opportunity to make great strides in training their new partner.
As the owner of a professional dog training company, I get asked about training dogs on a weekly basis. Even the folks that don’t plan on paying to have their dog trained are looking for advice to do it better on their own.
Typically people purchase pups and bring them home between the ages of 7 and 9 weeks. If they choose to use a trainer, that generally happens between 4-6 months.
Those few months of in between time are crucial for building a firm psychological foundation for puppies.
Wyoming men sentenced for poaching; one gets stiff punishment for third wildlife conviction
A pair of Wyoming residents recently were sentenced for multiple wildlife violations, receiving large fines and jail time, and having their hunting privileges revoked across much of the United States.
Fremont County Circuit Court Judge Robert Denhardt found Kelly J. Grove of Dubois, Wyoming, guilty of two counts of accessory before or after the fact in taking big game without a license (elk and deer), and one count accessory before or after the fact in the take of big game from a vehicle. The prosecution dismissed two charges including accessory before or after the fact of shooting from a roadway and interference with a peace officer in a plea bargain reached with Grove.
Denhardt ordered him to pay a total of $6,365 in fines, assessments, and restitution, to spend one year in jail with 7 days credit for time already served, and three years supervised probation upon his release. Grove is required to serve the remaining 358 days in jail. The Judge also suspended Grove’s hunting and fishing privileges for 18 years in Wyoming and the 44 other states and to forfeit his Remington 700 .300 Ultra Mag bolt action rifle.
On January 7, Spencer Carrico of Dubois, Wyoming pled guilty and was sentenced by Denhardt for two violations of taking an elk and a deer without a license. The prosecution dismissed the counts of take big game from a vehicle and shooting from a roadway in a plea bargain reached with Carrico. Denhardt ordered Carrico to pay $6,110 in fines, assessment, and restitution and suspended his hunting and fishing privileges for four years in Wyoming and 44 other states. Carrico was ordered to one year unsupervised probation and sentenced to 90 days in jail, which were suspended.
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