The Little Deer That Could: Key Deer Seem to Have Survived Another Catastrophe
The smallest and perhaps most susceptible deer species here in North America has once again had its chances for survival challenged. The Florida Key Deer, coming off a miraculous recovery after doing battle against screwworm for the past two years, was once again walloped, this time by a natural disaster named Irma. As the storm […]
Drunk Florida Woman Bites Fishing Line, Swims off with Rigging
A Florida fisherman hooked himself something he probably wasn’t interested in dealing with last week on the St. Johns County Pier in St. Augustine. At around 6 p.m., something fishy was lurking in the water below when an intoxicated woman swam up to the man’s line. Cursing him out all the while, she opened her […]
Florida Hunting and Fishing License Growth Projected to Dwindle
Depending on who you talk to, Florida is a haven of sorts. The miles upon miles of palm-laden shorelines, tropical climate and endless tourist attractions are certainly what attract the bulk of the state’s tourists and newly-minted residents. When it comes to outdoor recreation, the Sunshine State is also known for its unique wildlife, refuges, […]
One of the Illegally Captured Endangered Florida Deer is Euthanized
Unfortunate news coming out of South Florida as officials are reporting that one of the three Key Deer illegally captured last weekend has been euthanized. After a pair of young men were pulled over around 12:30 a.m. on July 2nd, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Hopp found two deer hog-tied in the backseat of […]
3 Endangered Deer Found Hog-Tied in Car
After surviving habitat destruction and over-hunting in the 1940s as well as their recent brush with the deadly screwworm, the key deer of South Florida were threatened again this week. On Sunday morning, a broken tail light captured the attention of a Monroe County Sherrif’s deputy. Engaging in what the deputy thought to be a […]
Watch: Florida Woman Dispatches Python with Handgun to Protect Her Livestock
One thing is for certain, Rachel Elizabeth Valverde of Naples, Florida takes her livestock seriously. As one of South Florida’s most notorious invasive species, the Burmese Python has been wreaking havoc on the ecosystem since they were originally discovered in the 1980’s. Acting as an alpha predator, these large snakes are decimating the small mammal […]
Florida Legislation Aims to Place a 10-Year Ban on Bear Hunting
Scheduled for a hearing today with Florida’s Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee is Bill 1304, a controversial bill that would see bear hunting in the Sunshine State go on a 10-year hiatus. Veering away from the science-based model of wildlife management, the state of Florida has been under intense pressure to do away […]
Snake Hunters for Hire: South Florida Proposal to Offer Python Hunters Payment
Like the wild hog problem in southern states such as Texas, Florida has an invasive species problem all their own. After being established sometime in the 1980’s, Burmese pythons have since become an unnatural extension of the landscape in the swamps of the Florida Everglades. Acting as an apex predator, these large snakes, measuring […]
The Resurgence of the Florida Panther
Florida’s elusive and secretive official state animal is making a comeback according to a report compiled jointly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. According to the 2017 report, Florida panther population estimates have been raised to between 120 to 230 cats, increasing upon the previous […]
Key Deer Radio-Collaring Project Kicks Off This Month
After being ravaged by the screwworm infestation through the months of September and October, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and their partners have officially begun their effort to attach a number of radio collars to female key deer. Starting this month, the goal will be to capture and collar 30 female deer […]