“Our main purpose is to give pet owners an alternative to releasing nonnative animals into the wild,” says Jenny Tinnell, FWC biologist. “It’s illegal to release a nonnative animal into the wild in Florida, and it could be detrimental for the animal and the environment.”

People can come to the zoo and surrender exotic pets they can no longer care for, free of charge, with no questions asked.

“A licensed veterinarian will examine all surrendered pats,” says Tinnell, “if they appear healthy, we’ll try to place them with willing qualified, adopters.”

I’ve posted on invasive species before, particularly iguanas and boas.

Every time I do, I get all sorts of commentary and email from iguana and boa owners who think I should be shot (literally) for suggesting that invasive species in Florida be hunted. They seem to have trouble getting their little minds around the idea that I’m not talking about family pets but feral animals that little-minded people have put into an environment where they aren’t welcome.

This “amnesty” program, which has a number of dates in a number of cities throughout Florida is great way for people to get rid of pets that they don’t want without doing more harm to the environment. Between this program and some generous hunting allowances, maybe the invasive animal situation could be brought back under control.

In a year when one word, “fewer,” described life in America — fewer jobs, fewer home sales, fewer purchases — hunters were responsible for generating a welcome “more” category, as hunting license sales rose by 3.5 percent in 2009 in states that make up NSSF’s Hunting License Sales Index.

The 12-state index comprises several states from four main regions of the United States. Nine of those states recorded hunting license sales increases from January through December of 2009 over the previous year, according to Southwick Associates, a research firm that monitored the license sales information.

States in the index include Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Astute readers will note that this is only 11 states, not 12. The release listed Tennessee twice.

I’m not sure what the 12th state is. Maybe Michigan in the midwest area? I’ve sent an email to the NSSF and will let you know if they get back with me.

If this increase among the index states carries over to the nation at large, it’s pretty big news. Hunting has been considered a stagnant part of the shooting sports (growth-wise) for several years and this increase would be a welcome change.

UPDATE: The NSSF responded this morning. The 12th state is Kansas.

Federal officials want to keep nine kinds of constrictor snakes out of the United States, saying they belong to invasive species that pose the single biggest threat to the nation’s environment.

“This is the story of the invasion of the snakes in the United States of America,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday, standing near a live python at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

He said the Burmese python and the other “alien snakes” are destroying some of the nation’s most treasured — and most fragile — ecosystems.

Maybe we need a snake hunting season.

Now Uncle notes this: San Carlos Park woman shot when dog knocks gun to floor

Just what are the dogs up to?

Yes, both incidents could have easily been prevented by proper firearms handling. But maybe that’s the new MO for the rebel dogs: wait until the humans leave them an opening.

But if the dogs are rising, then what about this: Pet Dog Fights Cougar to Save Boy

Are there two opposing dog factions? One loyal to humanity and one trying to overthrow it?

Next time you go to the range, jump out of your car and prepare to shoot, think about how you’d manage to train or protect yourself if you were in a wheelchair. Next time you train for self-defense or go hunting, think about how your options and tactics might change if you only had 4 percent vision… from only one eye.

Good article on Joe Cartabona, who lost a leg, and Ed Harris, who has serious vision deficiencies, at Tactical-Life.com. Runs down what they do and what they use to keep on keeping on.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

How cold? Cold enough that iguanas are falling from the skies.

I knew I had a tip about a high-tech face mask somewhere, and here it is:

ColdAvenger Hunter face mask by Talus

Designed with the hunter in mind, Talus Outdoor Technologies, LLC introduces the ColdAvenger® Hunter made with Predator® brown deception camouflage. With the same ventilation technology as the ColdAvenger Classic, the newly-designed ColdAvenger Hunter features a soft yet heavyweight fleece camouflage material. The mask provides hunters and outdoors people with the ultimate cold-weather breathing protection, and its wind-resistant, water-shedding and insulating fabric characteristics make it an essential hunting accessory.

The Talus ColdAvenger Hunter is designed for a variety of winter outdoor activities where deception and protection from cold is essential. The face piece is made of medical grade plasticizer free polyurethane selected for its safety, microbial resistance, and overall cold weather endurance.

The temperature inside the mask is 40 to 60 degrees above the outside air. Looks like Murdoc needs one for his outdoor running. There have been some bitter training days already, and I’ve got no doubt there are plenty more to come.

Rest of the press release below:

The medical grade polyurethane nose and mouth chamber mixes inhaled cold air with exhaled warm air to achieve a dynamic balance of warmth and humidity while keeping moisture away from the face. The Talus ColdAvenger’s patent-pending ventilation technology actually keeps temperatures inside the mask 40˚– 60˚F higher than outside air. The Predator fabric is a soft and ultra quiet 380 gram heavyweight fleece that has a comfortable stretch to fit the face, ears, and neck. The result is a state-of-the-art product that keeps your face warm and dry while helping to humidify inhaled cold air and allowing you to breathe freely.

“The true advantage to the ColdAvenger technology does not lie in the use of the advanced fabrics, but in the implementation of our patent-pending ventilator system,” says Sullivan. “Our ventilation system allows the user to breathe freely without resistance, removes moisture, eliminates fogging of most eyewear, protects airways from the damaging cold, and keeps you warm. All this equates to a much more comfortable and safe outdoor experience.”

The cold weather face mask comes in a variety of sizes and can be purchased online at www.talusoutdoortech.com. The camouflage mask retails for $59.95 and is currently offered in one color – brown deception. With its earth-toned colors and a unique Three-Dimensional pattern, the Predator Brown Deception fabric works well in any terrain.

Founded and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Talus Outdoor Technologies™ is a leading innovator in technologically-advanced outdoor gear. Talus is dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts Stay Out Longer.™ In 2007, Talus introduced the ColdAvenger®, an advanced, high-quality cold weather protection mask developed by a physician and a skier. The ColdAvenger® is the result of more than two years of research and development testing in Northern Rocky Mountain winters to achieve four functional goals: thermal comfort, ventilation adequacy, moisture control and ease of breathing during exercise. Talus is proud to provide an elite product while being socially and environmentally conscious.

www.talusoutdoortech.com

I’ve seen these (the non-camo models) around and have wondered how they work.

A lone elephant charged out of the brush as an American family was hiking near Mount Kenya and trampled to death a mother and the 1-year-old daughter she held in her arms, officials said Wednesday.

Four adults and the baby were walking with an unarmed guide just outside Mount Kenya National Park on Monday morning when the elephant charged, said Kenya Wildlife Service official Michael Kipkeu.

Apparently the guide was from their hotel and was not allowed to be armed.

Friend

Hero dog saves boy, 11, from cougar attack

A golden retriever named ‘Angel’ took on a pouncing cougar in British Columbia. A RCMP constable shot the cougar. Luckily, their office was nearby and he was able to respond very quickly.

“The dog and the cougar were all kind of tangled up as one unit,” he said. But he was able to see the big cat’s hindquarters and fired one shot, hoping to sever the animal’s spine.

When the cougar kept up its attack on Angel, Gravelle moved around to get in front of the cougar, which was less than 6 feet away.

“It was really dark out, and I was just trying to line up my shot as best I could. I could just see about two or three inches of the cougar’s head sticking out from behind Angel, and luckily I was able to get a good shot off,” Gravelle said.

Somehow, the dog managed to survive. She needed surgery, but it sounds like she’s going to be okay.

Big Bore Productions announces the release of Death in the Mumbwa, filmed in one of Africa’s premier hunting concessions in Zambia, with Swanepoel and Scondrol Safaris.

Join Mark Buchanan and his friends as they harvest 3 Giant Leopard and 2 Trophy lion on film!

This DVD has it all, from the amazing cats to the unique plains game, to the buffalo hunt that you must see to believe. This video also contains extremely rare footage from the Kafue Flats and Bangwelu Swamps where Mark takes the Kafue and Black Lechwe, Tessebe, and one of the most difficult animals in Africa, the Sititunga.

This DVD is over 3 hours long and is action packed from beginning to end, an instant classic!

Check out the trailer.

New HEVI-SHOT Turkey Choke Tube

Release:

ENVIRON-Metal, makers of World Record Performance HEVI-13® turkey loads and waterfowl ammunition, announces the introduction of a performance line of HEVI-SHOT Choke Tubes. Constructed to ENVIRON-Metal’s exacting specifications, the tubes are made from premium 17-4 stainless steel and are built to handle all lead, high density and steel pellets.