Poachers

These scumbags, who illegally kill wildlife, especially deer, will never completely go away. However, last month the Illinois DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service caught five Mississippi men using spotlights at night to shoot deer in five Illinois counties.
All of the men received long probations, plus very hefty fees and heavy fines in restitution. Illinois Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) and federal agents depend on tips provided by residents who witness illegal activity. Contact your local police or CPO Jamie Posateri @ 309-830-0708.

Record Flathead

A bowfisher from Michigan caught a new Michigan state record flathead catfish. The previous state-record was 53.35 pound caught in 2022.
The new state record is now 64.46 pound. Of the three species of catfish in our country, blue, flathead and channel, the blue catfish is the largest. In 2005, a blue catfish was caught in Illinois waters that went 124 pounds.

‘Da Bears

Being a die-hard Bear’s fan, you may have to put up with a paragraph each week on the previous game. Because of a family event, I could not see the Dolphins/Bears game.
It ended in a tie, 24-24. The next game pits the Bears vs. Bills on Sunday, Aug 17 @ 7 p.m. on Fox. Of course, we’re talking pre-season so the game doesn’t mean a whole lot, or at least, not for most fans.

Dog Tags

If you served in the military you were given a pair of “dog tags.” They were worn for identification such as death. Only 58% of the soldiers who died in action during the Civil War were positively identified.
They were not issued to soldiers so many made their own dog tags. They would write their name on a piece of paper and stick it to their uniform or carve their name on a small wooden disk.
In WW1 our soldiers were issued 2 aluminum tags stamped with name, unit and religion. By the end of WW2 the tags were made of stainless steel. In Vietnam, one tag would go into the soldier’s boot in case his body was dismembered. The other tag was around his neck unless they made noise. Towards the end of the war a small rubber cover was issued to solve the noise problem.

Trapping

I know next to nothing about trapping, but I did find this interesting. Skunks are in demand in certain fashion circles. The reason they are in such demand, or partly so, is thanks to the ultraorthodox Hasidic Jews. The Hasidic community is using skunk tails for fur hats.
The hat is known by its Yiddish name, “shtreimel.” Trapping coyotes, red fox, muskrats, raccoons, and mink is hardly an easy way to make a buck or two. I’m not so sure grey fox is one animal that is allowed to be trapped. For whatever reason, they seem to be vanishing or at least here in Illinois. From what I’ve read, it is not because of trapping.

Joke

Lorna lost our dog. It ran outside while she was making a salad. So, if anyone caesar, lettuce know.

Quote

“This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.” • Elmer Davis