Cali coyotes are clubbin' baby seals 🦭

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further adieu, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Clubbin’ baby seals - New study shows ‘yotes new learned behavior 🦭

• ID, please - Idaho reminds bear hunters to brush up on ID skills 🧸

• CWD me - New cases found in North Dakota and Indiana 🦌

• Detangler - Michigan police officers free deer caught in a rope swing 🪢

• For pink slips - This dude challenged a whitetail to a race 🏎️

WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
NEW STUDY CAPTURES COYOTES EATING BABY SEAL BRAINS ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST

With the bodies of baby seals strewn across many of the beaches of northern California, one team of researchers was looking for specifics when it came to figuring out who and what was responsible for the blood letting. 

With an absence of notable predators such as bears and wolves along much of California’s coast, researchers started looking for answers as the bodies of baby seals started to pile up. With tracks and drag marks across the sandy beaches, researchers had their suspicions, but could not confirm the presence of coyotes. In an effort to get to the bottom of it, one research team deployed a number of cameras to specific locations in hopes of catching their culprit in the act…

QUICK HITS // ^{_{FROM AROUND THE WEB}}

Idaho officials remind hunters that a bear ID course is required to hunt in 2025: Effective Jan. 1, anyone hunting black bears in Idaho must show proof that they have passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between grizzly bears and black bears.  Read the full story.

Economics or convenience: Debate simmers over opening day of Pa.’s rifle deer season: For the last six seasons, opening day has been held on a Saturday —  a move that remains fiercely debated amongst the commonwealth’s hunters. Read the full story.

Indiana DNR confirms second case of chronic wasting disease in deer: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a second case of chronic wasting disease from a deer in the state. Read the full story.

Michigan police officers save tangled deer. See the video of the rescue: In a video captured and shared by police, the 8-point buck’s antlers can be seen snarled in the line as the animal frantically struggles to free itself. Read the full story.

Game and Fish reports 17 new cases of CWD in North Dakota:The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tested 1,456 animals for chronic wasting disease during the 2024 sampling season. Game and Fish confirmed 17 deer tested positive for CWD, 15 of which were taken by hunters and two were clinical deer confirmed through diagnostic examination.  Read the full story.

VIDEO // ^{_{SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN}}

🏎️ Ever challenge a whitetail to a race in your truck? Ya, me neither. But this dude did, and honestly, the deer was pretty damn impressive.

No word as to whether or not he hit that tree though…

I went to British Columbia for the first time in the fall of 2023. It is hands down, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to.

📸 : @adventuresinnorthernbc

Before you go…

Oh, and one more thing…