Posted in Ecology, fishing, outdoors, wildlife on July 2, 2008 | 1 Comment »
The kingfisher was perched upon a stump protruding four feet above the lake surface. From this lake location near the mouth of the river which fed the impoundment, he commanded an excellent view of the water below, where smallmouth bass minnows hid amongst rocks of the lake bottom. His gaze was unyielding as he remained [...]
Posted in Big game hunting, Ecology, Hunting, Mountain lions, Wildlife habitat, Yosemite National Park, mule deer, outdoors, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, tagged Add new tag, Yosemite National Park on June 23, 2008 | 4 Comments »
Researchers in Oregon have concluded, after extensive research, that prey species have a fear of predators and that prey species move away from their mortal enemies in an effort to survive. They have also concluded that this natural system has an important relationship to the success of other plant and animal life.
Impressive conclusion?
Interesting how a bit of [...]
Posted in Big game hunting, Ecology, Hunting, Wildlife habitat, legislation, mule deer, outdoors, wildlife, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, tagged wildlife conservation on June 11, 2008 | 1 Comment »
SB1172 creates California Fish and Game Commission oversight over expenditure of funds generated from sale of all tags and stamps issued for take of big game animals in California including funds generated from Fundraising Tags, deer, elk, bear, sheep, antelope and pig tags as well as upland game bird stamps.
This video shows the testimony of Senator Dutton [...]
Posted in Ecology, Endangered species, Wildlife habitat, butterflies, outdoors on June 5, 2008 | No Comments »
Another Bay Area endangered butterfly is the callippe silverspot. The reason for its decline is clear. Its habitat is grasslands in San Francisco and other cities surrounding San Francisco Bay.
In the Livermore Hills we find a variety of callippe butterfly that is similar. As with the callippe silverspot, this callippe butterfly is associated with violets [...]
Posted in Ecology, Hunting, Wildlife habitat, outdoors, wildlife, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, tagged Conservation, Duck hunting on April 23, 2008 | No Comments »
Looks like ethanol production is causing more than just a shortage of corn for cattle feed. Not only is the price of gas going up, but so is the price of food. Increased food prices means more corn and wheat production this year.
These prices are good for farmers, in fact they may be too good [...]
Posted in Ecology, Endangered species, Wildlife habitat, blacktail deer, wildlife conservation, wildlife management on April 21, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Saw a pair of fawns yesterday. First of the year for me. Whenever I see my first fawn of the season, I can’t help but count back to the date it was conceived. I’ve been told that the blacktail gestation period is about 7 months. Various internet sites say it’s about 200 days. That sounds [...]
Posted in Ecology, Endangered species, Hunting, Land Ownership, Wildlife habitat, blacktail deer, deer, outdoors, wildlife conservation, wildlife management on April 19, 2008 | No Comments »
Our Alameda County ranch, like most ranches, has a variety of habitat types - oak woodland, oak grassland, riparian and chaparral. One thing that’s clear to me is that the effects one can have upon habitat in the hills are more subtile than the results one sees on valley farm ground. Our delta property responds quickly and [...]
Posted in Ecology, Mountain lions, deer, mule deer, outdoors, wildlife, wildlife conservation, wildlife management on April 2, 2008 | No Comments »
According to Bob (Lion) Taylor, President of Citizens for Sustainable California Wildlife (SCSCW), predators are not only reducing deer numbers, but they are having a negative impact upon many other sensitive California wildlife species.
Bob understands that wildlife, like agricultural crops, need to be managed to maintain their health. Unfortunately, Proposition 117, an initiative which was [...]
Posted in Ecology, Endangered species, Hunting, Land Ownership, Wildlife habitat, outdoors, wildlife, wildlife conservation, wildlife management on March 25, 2008 | No Comments »
In my perfect world, everybody would be a hunter.
It is interesting to imagine how our lives would be changed if everybody hunted. There are many effects that such a change would have on our collective psyche, and also the habitat around us.
At a time when space is at a premium, it is interesting to theorize [...]
Posted in Deer hunting, Ecology, The Mule Deer Foundation, Wildlife habitat, blacktail deer, deer, fundraising, mule deer, outdoors, wildlife, wildlife conservation, wildlife management on February 1, 2008 | No Comments »
Feeding deer is sometimes controversial and not always effective. It can maintain deer population numbers at a level which is beyond the ability of the habitat to support them. However, when unusually rough winters hit, it is the only way to keep deer from starving and when the habitat is healthy and the deer need [...]
