The Buzz: Your Daily Dose Of Outdoor News

Big Predators are today’s Buzz Of The Day

Mountain lions and mountain lion safety has become a big issue in New Mexico recently when New Mexico’s Game and Fish Department decided to release details that suggest mountain lions may be moving from the mountains to the grass and plains of the state.  So what do you do if you come face to face with a mountain lion on the trail?  According to this article, never let them see you run and never approach them.  Give them ample room to escape and not feel threatened.  Sounds like some good advice.

A group of firefighters were treated to a rare treat recently.  They were robbed blind by a pack of bears.  It seems the bears took a fancy liking to the groups MRE’s, those ready-to-eat meals they serve in the army.  It seems the firefighters have moved in to bear territory while fighting a local wildfire.  Maybe the bears are just looking for something to BBQ.  Throw them some weiners and a stick and the problem should be solved…

A Black Bear recently found itself in a sticky situation.  Somehow the bear managed to get his head stuck inside a plastic jar.  The bear wandered around town, and finally in to town, where local authorities had to make the decision to put the bear down.  The bear, before being shot, had been spotted across two separate counties a number of times, over a six day period.  I should probably add that the authorities did attempt to trap the bear before finally making the call to shoot.

Next we go from bears to sharks.  Australia is claiming that those lovable little creatures that like to mistake surfer dudes for seals, may actually be able to be controlled by magnets.  It is not known why, but sharks react in a violent fashion away from magnets.  Scientists claim that this might not work for the local surfing community, but may be a way to deter sharks from fishing nets.  You know what?  The gun didn’t work.  What do you suggest?  A magnet.  How does that idea come about?

Today’s News of The Strange:  A stray cat has been found in New Jersey that tips the scales at 44 pounds.  This is a normal house cat, but unfortunately he didn’t have a collar.  I think I would be wondering more about the size of New Jersey’s rats, than I would the cat.  Authorities discovered the obese cat after spotting it (are you ready for this) waddling across the street with a big mac and a chocolate shake.  Sorry-

Conservation Insight:  Connecticut’s governor has recently approved a $135 million dollar fund to help clean up Connecticut’s waterways.  This bill probably got a slight push from the recent reports that the dreaded West Nile virus has been discovered in six Connecticut counties.  However it came about, a little clean water never hurt anyone.

Both news releases courtesy of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Green Tip Of The Day: If you own a home, try situating your air conditioner out of direct sun. If that’s not possible, consider building a wooden shelter to provide shade and help it run more efficiently.

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