In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans PD and Sheriff Dept. deputies began confiscating firearms in an effort to curb rampant violence and get a hold on the security situation in one of America’s worst natural disasters ever. The problem with this? A little document we in the States like to call The Constitution.

Now I’m not of the mind that it’s prudent for citizens to be toting anti-tank missiles and AK-47s, but the second amendment in our bill of rights was enacted for two reasons.

1. To protect against government oppression
2. To allow citizens to provide for their security when government is neither present, nor capable of doing so.

The days after the levy collapses, I believe, highlighted the foresight of our forefathers in both these regards.

The NRA is now seeking over three hundred rightful gun owners known to have had their weapons confiscated by police with no receirpt, and no compensation. Cheers for them, a natural disaster or emergency when law enforcement agencies cannot provide for a populace’s security is abhorrent, especially when enough of the bad guys are running around armed and free to act without fear of a sufficient law enforcement presence.

Here’s a video regarding the original situation:

Also, a link with more info on the NRA’s lawsuit and search for the gun owners…

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The Problem:

The redbay tree may soon face extinction across the Southeast thanks to a rapidly advancing virulent fungus, the causative agent of laurel wilt disease. The trees are an important food source for a variety of wildlife including some popular game birds, deer and songbirds.

The wilt disease, carried by a species of ambrosia beetle that is not native to the United States, has spread rapidly throughout the coastal states since its initial observation in 2003. It was likely introduced to the U.S. in 2002 when the beetles hitched a ride on shipping pallets coming into Port Wentworth, Ga., near Savannah. The beetles are native to India, Japan and Taiwan.

Read more…

The other problem:

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, was accidentally introduced to North America and is currently a great threat to eastern hemlocks. Native to Asia, the first North American reports were in British Columbia, Canada in 1922 and in Oregon in 1924. Hemlock woolly adelgid was found near Richmond, Virginia in 1951. The insect is now found from northern Georgia to southern Maine, and from northern California to southeast Alaska.

The Solutions:

Entomologists at Virginia Tech are now studying a beetle from Japan that may be a natural predator of Adelges tsugae, or hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Scientists hope the Japanese beetle will curb the rapid spread of the HWA without damaging forest ecosystems.

Read more… 

-and-

March 29, 2008

Beetle Battle Paddle
A benefit to help save the hemlock trees

Due to current water levels, the Beetle Battle Paddle has been rescheduled from October 2007 to March 29, 2008. For more information go to www.canoegeorgia.com or call 706-864-7117.

Just for fun quote:” We cannot but pity the boy who has never fired a gun; he is no more humane, while his education has been sadly neglected. ” -Henry David Thoreau

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Thanks to the Outdoorzy Blog for the heads up.

The DSG Race

12 Hour

The main event for the weekend will be the 12 hr endurance mountain bike race. Riders will compete against each other, the clock and most importantly themselves. After a shotgun Le Mans start, riders will race the 10 mile course on a mix of flat and fast field trails, rolling double track and tight and technical single track that has a total elevation gain of +/- 1500′. Be sure to check out the course page for maps, video and photos.

 Fayetteville, TN.

More info & website.

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Wilson and I got the new canoe out on the Chattahoochee for some delayed harvest action on a cool, overcast Sunday afternoon. Trouble is, neither one of us monkey-brains checked the release schedule for Buford dam. I know, for those of you familiar with it - stop reading and start laughing.

For everybody else, it wasn’t dangerous, it’s just a waste of time. See, fish hunker down when that “wall” of water comes flowing through the water shed, and won’t bite anything. So, just a friendly reminder that you can check the Buford Dam release schedule by calling before your next outing, and if you see a couple of knuckleheads out on the water at exactly the wrong time, well that may be yours truely.

Buford Dam Release Hotline

770-945-1466

How’s that go? A bad day of fishing is better than a…..

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I was happy to hear this morning that my good friend, Chad Hagan, and his wife to be Emily will be climbing Mt. Hood to benefit Climbing for Kids. They’ve made a personal goal of raising $3,200. Climbing for Kids is run by Bay Area Wilderness Training to benefit at risk inner city youth. It works by getting them out into the bush, and teaching them self reliance, self-confidence, and exposing them to a greater world out side.

To help out, please consider a donation for Chad’s cause, or maybe spread the word.

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I’ve got admit, I’ve never heard of the term videophilia, but I have been a victim of it lately.  On the heels of news that hunting is in a decline , it appears that all outdoors activities may be losing interest with mainstream America. The national parks are reporting declines year over year since the ’80s too.

I just ran across this article, explaining more in depth.  Hopefully I can take a little more time to examine the bad news down the road, but hey this is a blog about having fun - right?

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