First Documented Bear Attack in 25 Years Leaves Elderly Arkansas Man with Severe Injuries 🐻

The weekend might not be here just yet, but your favorite dispatch from the great outdoors is. 

So grab your coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and let's get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

PRAYING FOR A FULL RECOVERY
FIRST DOCUMENTED BEAR ATTACK IN 25 YEARS LEAVES ELDERLY ARKANSAS MAN WITH SEVERE INJURIES

On Wednesday, a quiet rural area in Franklin County, Arkansas, became the site of an unusual and alarming wildlife encounter when a 72-year-old man was attacked by a black bear. The incident, described by wildlife officials as "exceedingly rare," has drawn attention due to its severity and the fact that it marks the first documented bear attack in the state in at least 25 years. 

The attack occurred near Highway 23 in the Mulberry Mountain area, close to the Mulberry Mountain Lodge, a popular spot for outdoor activities. Vernon Patton, a 72-year-old resident of Ozark, was working on a gravel road, spreading gravel with his tractor, when he was suddenly assaulted by what authorities called a small, juvenile black bear…

👂 One-Eared Elk 'Van Gogh' Signals Strong Recovery for Wyoming Herd. In Wyoming’s Greys River area of Teton County, a cow elk nicknamed "Van Gogh" for her missing half-ear has become a symbol of hope for local hunters. Captured on a trail camera by archery hunter Lacelynn Seibel, the elk is part of a herd recovering from the brutal 2022-2023 winter that decimated wildlife in the region. Despite concerns about human and horse scent at the camera site, Van Gogh and other elk have been unfazed, providing clear footage and showing robust health, with many calves signaling a strong rebound. The cause of Van Gogh’s clean-edged ear injury remains unclear, but frostbite seems to be the leading factor, despite the clean break.

The resurgence of the Greys River elk herd is encouraging for hunters as Wyoming’s archery elk season kicked off on September 1st. Seibel, who targets bulls and plans to hunt mid-month to avoid crowds, highlights the area’s stunning terrain and the challenge of elk hunting. The thriving herd and Van Gogh’s frequent camera appearances are seen as a positive sign for the hunting season, leaving local hunters hopeful for many fruitful seasons to come.

🙏 False Alarm: Upton Schools Briefly Locked Down After Hunter Mistaken for Threat. On Thursday, Nipmuc Regional High School and Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts, were placed on lockdown following a 9:17 a.m. report of a suspicious individual. The person, described as wearing camouflage and carrying what appeared to be a long gun, prompted a swift response from Upton police, supported by off-duty officers and state law enforcement. A search of the area found no one initially, and the lockdown was lifted shortly after, with no immediate threat identified.

Around 12:30 p.m., the individual contacted police, identifying themselves as a hunter legally carrying an unloaded firearm while returning to their vehicle during Massachusetts' fall hunting season, which began September 1. The Upton Police Department confirmed no danger to the community, thanking the hunter for clarifying the situation and the original caller for their vigilance. The incident, occurring a day after a separate lockdown at UMass Lowell involving a replica weapon, underscored heightened school safety concerns. Police planned increased patrols around the schools as a precaution, and no further incidents have since been reported.

🤢 Michigan DNR Confirms First 2025 EHD Cases in Deer Across Four Counties. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the first cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer for 2025. EHD, a viral and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by biting midges, affects deer but poses no risk to humans, pets, or other wildlife, has since been detected in Eaton, Jackson, Van Buren, and Washtenaw Counties. The DNR encourages the public to report sick or dead deer through their online "Eyes in the Field" system to track outbreaks, noting that infected deer may appear lethargic, disoriented, or show physical symptoms like bloody discharge or swelling. Testing by the DNR, Michigan State University, and the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study confirmed the presence of the virus, which typically spreads in late summer and early fall, often halting after the first frost kills the midges.

While EHD can cause significant localized deer mortality, the DNR states it does not have a lasting impact on overall deer populations. Outbreaks are sporadic, with some years affecting only a few counties and others, like in 2012, that impacted up to 30 counties. Deer that survive EHD typically gain immunity, and consecutive outbreaks in the same area remain rare. The DNR advises against consuming visibly sick deer but confirms that healthy deer from affected areas are safe to eat. Ongoing reporting is crucial to monitor the outbreak's scope, though further testing may not be needed in already-confirmed counties.

Massachusetts hunters prepare for fall 2025 hunting season: Mass.gov states that early Canada goose hunting kicked off on September 1, while the black bear hunting season opened statewide on September 2. Archery deer and turkey hunting seasons are set to begin on October 6, with pheasant hunting season following on October 18. Hunting is not permitted on Sundays in Massachusetts, and many public lands, including Wildlife Management Areas and most state parks, are open to hunting.  Read the full story.

Maryland 2025 Black Bear Hunt Lottery Results Announced: Lottery entrants were randomly selected and will receive a permit valid for the six-day bear hunting season open from October 20-25, 2025 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Entrants can check the black bear hunt webpage lottery results section for their DNR ID number.  Read the full story.

WMAs offer dove hunters plenty of opportunity around Arkansas: Fast action and the excitement of wing-shooting during an Arkansas dove season as summer draws to a close are back again this weekend. Nineteen of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s wildlife management areas will offer acreage dedicated to public access dove hunting when the season opens Saturday, Sept. 6. Read the full story.

Colorado man recognized for award-winning mule deer:  Simons’ mule deer scored 206 and 58, ranking it 27th in size of all typical mule deer nationwide recorded by the club since it began in 1932. Simon’s record entry was honored during the July 26 Boone and Crockett Club’s 32nd Big Game Awards celebration in Springfield, MO.  Read the full story.

5 Things to Know About Oklahoma’s Free Hunting Weekend: Oklahoma’s annual Free Hunting Days are back this weekend, giving residents the chance to head outdoors without needing a license. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation hopes the Sept. 6-7 event encourages beginners to give hunting a try. Read the full story.

Springfield woman charged for illegal deer kill in Lane County:  A Springfield resident has been charged in Lane County Circuit Court with a wildlife violation for the illegal killing of a black-tailed deer, according to documents filed in Lane County Circuit Court.  Read the full story.

🦨 Dang! What’s that smell?? Watch as this fella gets more than he bargained for when he decided to try a taste of stink badger for his next meal.

Stings the nostrils a bit, ya?

The pull of the weekend.

📸 : @mckennahulslander

Oh, and one more thing…