The Buzz: Your Daily Dose Of Outdoor News

Yosemite National Park is today’s Buzz Of The Day

The recent fires near Yosemite National Park have been 90% contained over the past couple of days.  Tourists and home evacuees in the area are beginning to return.  With the recent influx of news coming out of Yosemite National Park, I thought it might be a good time to spotlight one of our nation’s finest parks and perhaps enlighten you with some of it’s rich history along the way.

Yosemite National Park’s history spans 144 years.  Back in 1864, then President Abraham Lincoln signed the first bill to make Yosemite a protected area.  This was at the height of the Civil War, but even with all the turmoil taking place, Yosemite was still thought of as a major resource worthy of protecting.  The history of Yosemite National Park is full of great tales, adventurers, and pure panoramic beauty.

Going from the past, to the present.  One of the major resources for information concerning Yosemite National Park happens to be The Yosemite blog.  I stop by this site a few times a week just to check in and keep up to date with the wildfires, road closings, special events, and basic news of the area.  If you are planing a trip to Yosemite, this should be one of your first stops.

One of the highlights of Yosemite National Park is the Yosemite Falls.  I read an interesting tidbit concerning these Falls today.  I did not know that the Yosemite Falls actually stop flowing.  These Falls are fed by snowmelt, and by late August, all of the snow has melted–this causes the falls to go dry for about a month–until the snows arrive again.  Must be a shock to those that venture there in August with high hopes of photographing the beautiful falls.  To learn more about Yosemite National Park, please head over to the National Park Service’s Yosemite website.  It is full of information to spark the imagination.

Today’s Strange News Of The Day:  Tourism officials in Granada have put out a public complaint towards dog owners who think that the Caribbean island’s starfish make good fetch toys.  It seems that dog owners have taken a fancy to finding starfish and hurling them through the air for their dogs to retrieve.  They say this act is cruel to the starfish.  Perhaps Granada should import some plastic balls, strategically place them on the beach, and hope that this would cure both problems-

Today’s Fishing Focus:  Fishing for Walleye can be tricky any time of year.  Mike, over at The Walleye Blog gives us some tips about fishing for this species at night.  He says he concentrates on entrances to bays and harbors and then offers up some of his recommended bait choices.  Using these tips, you probably can’t go wrong.

Today’s Hunting Highlights:  How many times have you climbed into that tree stand and wished that you had a little more room for some essential gear?  Her Outdoors took a recent look at a new product that is sure to make many hunters (and huntresses) drool.  The Beyond Backpacks Ultimate Hunting Pack provides an ingenius way to store your gear in a handy pack, while also providing a nice deer stand screen–in camo.  You have to love duel purpose contraptions.  This one looks like a winner!

Today’s Conservation Consortium:  Alabama’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is currently taking registrations for a new fall workshop geared to the outdoorswoman.  The Outdoors-Woman Fall Workshop will focus on beginner level training for man outdoors activities.  This is being listed as a biannnual event, with the first Outdoors-Woman Workshop scheduled for October 3-5 of 2008.  This looks like a great opportunity to fine tune your outdoor skills.

workshop is a three-day adventure offering beginner-level skills training for an array of fun and exciting activities ranging from deer hunting to camp cooking. Activities include camping, backyard wildlife, map and compass, mountain biking, shooting sports (pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader), fishing, hunting, canoeing, nature crafts, archery, ATV handling, motor boat handling, geocaching, bee keeping, and much more. Participants can also obtain their Hunter Education Certification and Boating Safety Certification during the weekend event.

This sounds like an exciting weekend. Visit Alabama’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to learn how you can sign up for this outdoor event filled weekend.

Today’s Green Tip Of The Day:  Instead of buying new books, pay a visit to your local library, or even start a bookshare program.  Trade any previously read books with those of a friend.  It saves money, paper, and the environment.

Today’s Blog Of The Day:  The Adventure Blog

The Buzz: Your Daily Dose of Outdoor News

Sunblock is today’s Buzz Of The Day

The temperatures are heating up and the sun is blazing full power for much of the United States.  What better time to discuss how we protect ourselves from the heat.  Many people use the words ’sunscreen’ and ’sunblock’ interchangeably.  This is the stuff we rub on our bodies to protect ourselves from the sun.  What you may not know is that both of these products are different and unique from one another.  Sunscreens actually absorb ultraviolet light, while sunblock actually blocks these harmful rays.  That is a big difference and one that could actually save your skin in years to come.

Sunblock has also come under some scrutiny of late, especially at Yankee Stadium, where it has actually been banned from the stadium.  An alert was put out that terrorists may be harboring explosive substances inside the bottles.  Yankee Stadium casually banned sunblock without alerting the many fans coming to the games.  Now you have your choice of an SPF 15 sunscreen that you must buy from a Yankee Stadium vendor.  Luckily, with the outcry of paying $5 for a 1 oz. bottle of sunscreen, Yankee Stadium quickly changed it’s policy.

So when do you use sunblock and how often do you apply it?  A new gadget has come out that actually clues you in to this information.  The U.V. Monitor actually tells you when the UV rays are the worst.  You can also program in your sunblock type and UV rating.  After the programing, the UV monitor quietly counts down and let’s you know when it is time to reapply.  Gadgets-we gotta love’em!

The next sunblock is a bit different.  This comes by way of the Hiking Backpacks blog and features U.S. Outdoors Today columnist Olivia, and a recent opportunity she had to photograph a solar eclipse while Hiking in India.  It is a beautiful photo and well worth the mention.  Go check it out.

Today’s News Of The Strange: This is an update on another ‘News Of The Strange’  post I made a couple of days back.  This is in regards to a stray 44 pound cat being found in New Jersey.  This cat is now up for adoption!  That’s right, now you, too, could witness the amazing feats of a 44 lb feline. that is destined to add to your grocery bills.  Who wants it?

Today’s Fishing Focus:  Which is better, the fly fisherman, the Bass fisherman, or perhaps the salmon fisherman?  Othmar Vohringer takes a look at this debate in a truly Othmar fashion–honestly.  Go check out this great article on Othmar’s BC Fishing blog, then join in on the conversation.

Today’s Hunting Highlights:  Steve Creek Outdoors takes an interesting look at a wild deer species not found in this neck of the woods.  The Formosa Sika deer is native to Asia, and does have a very unusual look to it.  It is always nice to see an international species, but it might cost you some cash to bring one in.  I am sure import fees are ridiculous and that is only if these things can be legally hunted!  If the Formosa is going to be a problem, perhaps you could sign up to take lessons on how to hunt alligators.

Today’s Conservation Consortium:  The New River Gorge National Park has been given the ok to purchase 100 acres of land in an effort to add to their holdings.  This is actually a small part of a much broader picture, where another 600 acres may be purchased in the near future from local landowners.

Sight unseen, Striker and other superintendents before him were always interested in buying all of the land within the park’s boundaries. When Congress created the park in 1978, they drew lines on a map, but not all of the land within the marks belonged to the government. Over the years, federal officials have been acquiring land, but they still do not own all the land within the park’s boundaries.

“We are definitely interested in buying it,” Striker said of the 100 acres. “It has so much potential for park visitors.”

Visit the Charleston Gazette to read more about this recent purchase.

Today’s Green Tip of The Day:  We all like to water our lawns, but too many people water their lawns without ever thinking about the weather. Your lawn only needs about one inch of water a week. Therefore, instead of watering your lawn everyday, just water it once in the week and pay attention to the weather reports. If rain is called for, don’t water your lawn. If you go a few days without rain, then water it a bit. Paying attention to the weather will help you save water and keep your lawn green.  (tip courtesy of AboutMynePlanet)

Today’s Blog Of The Day:  Family Affair Outdoors–Go Check It Out!

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The Buzz: Your Daily Dose of Outdoor News

Wildfires are today’s Buzz Of The Day

Home owners around Yosemite National Park were allowed to return to their homes after authorities issued a report suggesting that the wildfire threatening the area had been mostly contained and diverted.  This news should make some of the people happy, but a smokey haze and fog still cover much of the area, making even Yosemite National Park hard to bear.  The wildfire had threatened close to two hundred homes and destroyed a few others before finally being diverted from the area.

Another wildfire, this one burning near Big Sur, California has burned a few structures related to a recovery program for the endangered California Condor.  The Ventana Wildlife Society says that a pen used to house the endangered birds got cut off from the main sanctuary by a local fire, forcing a helicopter evacuation of employees and the endangered condors.  The San Diego Zoo is now asking for donations to help build new structures for these birds, while they await their future release back in the wild.

There is also a fire threatening to invade another one of our National parks.  This fire is near Yellowstone National Park, outside of Cody, Wyoming.  This fire has grown to encompass 6 square miles and remains about 20 miles outside of Yellowstone’s east entrance.  If you are near Yellowstone or Yosemite National parks, be sure to contact local authorities fior road closures associated with each of these blazes.

FEMA offers up some good advice on what to do if you or your house is near a raging wildfire.  The American Red Cross also has some informative information on their site, as well.  It is always good to have a plan in place and they say that you can never be to prepared when disaster strikes.  It might be worth some time to lok over both of these organizations websites and see what you can do to better protect yourself, your family, and your home.

Today’s News Of The Strange: A box turtle has helped authorities nab a criminal suspected of growing marijuana.  The turtle came equipped with a GPS system which led the authorities to the suspect.  Not every turtle has a built in GPS, I thought I should clarify that.  This turtle was part of a special research project and not a member of the local law enforcement division.  One has to wonder what a turtle was doing in the middle of a pot field–hmm.

Today’s Fishing Focus: The 2008 Presidential Election looms ever closer.  The Lateral Lines blog recently took a look at how this election could affect anglers and what the different candidates positions are in regards to the great american sportsman.  Check it out, it is a good read.

Today’s Hunting Highlights:  When your out hunting, you can never be to safe.  There have been some ongoing discussions and Press about the SPOT Satellite Messenger and how it can benefit hunters in the field.  Western Wanderers recently posted an article discussing the SPOT messenger, along with some of it’s many benefits.

Conservation Insight:  Gov. Bill Richardson and New Mexico Attorney General Gerald King have announced that they will file an appeal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for issuing an air quality permit to the Desert Rock Energy facility.  The pair claim that he EPA violated the Clean Air Act when it gave out the permit without proper testing on air quality and analysis.

I want to assure New Mexicans that from a legal standpoint, Desert Rock is far from a done deal,” said Attorney General Gary King. “We will immediately review the permit and analysis that the EPA is obliged to provide in conjunction with its permitting decision. There are significant legal hurdles ahead and we intend to challenge the permit before the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) in Washington, D.C.”

Green Tip Of The Day:  About My Planet shows you 10 tips to recycling a scratched CD or DVD.  Most of us would just throw these away, why not make something useful?

Featured Blog:  The Conservative Zone –Go check it out!

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.

Featured Blog:  The Sled Chix Blog–Go check it out!

The Buzz: Your Daily Dose of Outdoor News

Rafting and boating accidents have been today’s buzz of the day.

First on the agenda comes some breaking news that authorities have discovered the body of a missing 12-year old that disappeared with his father while out on a recent fishing trip.  The boy’s body was found near Maumee Bay in Ohio.  His father is still missing.  Authorities continue to search the area for the missing father.

A Tacoma man has been killed and his wife seriously injured when his personal watercraft collided with a boat full of passengers on Banks Lake.  The accident ejected four passengers in the boat, all kids, into the water of Banks Lake, luckily, all were wearing floatation devices and suffered little injury.

A third person has become the victim of a nasty underwater rock in the Rogue River.  The death of Kathleen M. Mills represents the third time in two months that someone has drowned on, near, or around this buried rock.  Authorities are speculating that much of this has to do with higher than normal snow run-off.  With the deeper waters, the rock can’t be seen.

With the influx of drownings and deaths in today’s media, there are also a few nice pieces concerning boating safety and awareness.  Here’s a nice piece on Whitewater Rafting Safety, then there is the technique that a local organization has enacted to draw personal flotation device awareness to the masses.  They have started a life-jacket tree.  Every drowning victim’s name is placed on a life-jacket, then strung up in a tree.  This is in full public view and is being used as a means to remind water goers that there is a danger involved if they don’t wear the devices.

Today’s News of the Strange:  A man has accidentally killed himself with his fishing sinker (you heard it right, sinker) after the small piece of lead smacked him in the head, impaled and penetrated his skull, then went in to his brain.  Don’t ask me how this happened, I am only reporting the news…

Conservation Insight:  Missouri’s Department of Conservation is looking for volunteers:

The Missouri Department of Conservation is looking for local volunteers to share their passion for the outdoors.Volunteers can become hunter education instructors; work at the manned shooting ranges at the Jay Henges or Busch Memorial ranges; become instructors and coaches for the department’s GO FISH! program, which teaches children fishing skills; or become Volunteer Naturalists to present programs to the public and school groups on a wide range of topics about plants, animals and the outdoors.

For more information on how you can volunteer, please visit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  You will conveniently find the link at the U.S. Outdoors Today ‘State Conservation Directory‘.

Green Tip of The Day: Watering your lawn every day does more harm than good — both to the lawn and the environment. Daily watering produces shallow roots; by watering less, you can make your grass grow roots that are deeper and healthier.

Green Tip Of The Day provided by Care4Nature.org

Featured Blog:  Kenny’s Great Outdoors–stop by and check it out.