It’s not too often that Arkansas sees a white Christmas but most of the state sure did this year, some even to the extreme. Three or four inches and in some places over a foot of snow will render a trapline in need of major repair. Oh well, at least the kids had fun and sure makes tracking easier. We still need a bunch more rain/snow to get the creeks, ponds and lakes back up to normal levels.
AFTA Chapter 1 had a Christmas party in early December with a potluck dinner, a bingo game, and passed out life membership plaques. Donations were also made by members which was used to buy gifts that were distributed to folks in local nursing homes. Little things that most people take for granted like hand lotion, brushes, combs, handkerchiefs, socks and crossword puzzle books really brighten the day for folks who may not have got any gifts for Christmas. Some of the money was also given to a local church to buy gifts for two boys that weren’t going to have a Christmas.
With a deadline of Feb 4, 2013, there’s only a few days left to comment on the petition to list plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) and the prairie gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus ocythous) – as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
You may submit information on the prairie gray fox and the plains spotted skunk, by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FWS–R3–ES–2012–0079, which is the docket number for this action. Then click on the Search button. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment Now!” or (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R3–ES–2012–0079; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
For more information on the two subspecies and this finding, along with information on listing, the petition process, and distinct population segments, please visit www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered You can also contact Mr. Chris Davidson by email – chris_davidson@fws.gov, or telephone – (501) 513-4481.
We’ve seen how the Endangered Species Act has been used to ban or restrict trapping in some parts of the country. Not sure if this is the case with these species and this petition or not. Coyotes and loss of habitat have an impact on the fox population, not sure about the spotted skunk although I would suspect that along with coyotes, the large population of hawks and owls have an impact on them.
Ah the government, can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Political talk of banning firearms, particularly semi-automatics, is at such a fever pitch that people are panic buying and you can hardly find some calibers of handguns, rifles and ammunition online or at your local gun shop, and if you do they’re at crazy prices. A 30 round magazine, which is the standard capacity magazine for AR15 syle rifles, that sold for $10 just a couple of months ago are now selling for $70/ea and more. Pistol magazines that hold more than 10 rounds are just as expensive if they can be found at all.
Call, write and email your congressman and senators with your opinion on your 2nd Amendment rights. “Shall Not Be Infringed” is pretty self-explanatory. If you don’t use a semi-automatic firearm for trapping, hunting, target shooting or self-defense, don’t forget about the incrementalism that the politicians practice where they use a certain topic to get a foot in the door and then never let up. If you’re OK with them banning a firearm or component that you don’t use, they may come after your favorite firearm next. We see this style of political action frequently in hunting and trapping regulations too. – Mark Alexander
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