While we continue to slowly inch towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.
Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:
Busted bros - Florida officials drop the hammer on Panhandle partners 👮
Assessing the threat - Kraken mascot nearly gets taken out by a brown bear in Alaska 🫢
Missing hiker - A Minnesota man has vanished in the Wyoming wilderness 💨
Smooth operator - This fella has got that swagger 🦆
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
FLORIDA BROTHERS ARRESTED IN MULTI-COUNTY POACHING OPERATION
If there’s one thing we notice about serial poachers is that, in many cases, they keep it in the family. Whether it’s a matter of being taught what they know by their elders or banding together in some sort of familial pact to defy wildlife laws, many such cases exist including this most recent one coming out of northern Florida.
According to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, two brothers, 23-year-old Hunter Layfield of Blountstown and 40-year-old Patrick Layfield of Clarksville, have been arrested for their role in what is believed to be a massive poaching operation spanning at least three panhandle counties.
In total, officials believe the two brothers illegally killed at least 20 whitetail deer during closed seasons. While this volume of activity can sometimes take place over multiple years or seasons, these two seemed to have really gotten after it as all of the incidents were believed to have taken place during the ‘24-’25 hunting season…
HEADLINES // DIGESTIBLE SNIPPETS
A close call for the adorable mascot
🎭 Kraken Mascot Buoy Nearly Becomes Bear Bait in Alaskan Fishing Fiasco. The Seattle Kraken mascot, Buoy, a loveable blue sea troll known for cheering on one of the NHL’s newest hockey teams, had a close encounter with a grizzly bear while fly fishing in Alaska’s Katmai National Park in late June. The incident occurred during a promotional trip with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation, involving Kraken forward John Hayden and others. A viral video shows a brown bear emerging from the tree line, growling, and charging toward Buoy and the group in a shallow river near Brooks Falls. The bear appeared unsurprisingly curious about Buoy’s unusual appearance, possibly mistaking the mascot for either a threat or his next meal. The group quickly retreated, following National Park Service advice to back away calmly rather than run. No one, including the bear, was harmed, and the bear eventually veered off.
Hayden later commented, “I want to blame it on Buoy. They were pretty interested in his whole look. We got out of it okay, but it was a close call.”
🥾 Minnesota Hiker Vanishes in Wyoming Wilderness After Summiting Cloud Peak. Grant Gardner, a 38-year-old hiker from Minnesota, has been missing in Wyoming’s Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Big Horn Mountains for over a week now. He last texted his wife last Tuesday from the summit of Cloud Peak during a planned three-day solo hike starting at the West Ten Sleep trailhead, where his vehicle was later found. Despite an extensive search launched on August 1 by the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, involving multiple agencies, helicopters, canine units, and specialized tracking equipment, no trace of Gardner has been found as of yesterday. The rugged terrain and severe weather, including high winds and thunderstorms, have complicated rescue efforts, with at least two searchers experiencing medical issues.
The operation includes support from South Big Horn County, Sheridan County, Johnson County, Washakie County, Park County, the Wyoming Army National Guard, and private aircraft, with Teton County Search and Rescue providing a helicopter. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office or the Wyoming Missing Person Tip line.
THOUGHTS FROM THE STAND // FROM OUR NOTEPAD
Sydney Sweeney’s
jugsjeans might just save America. And hopefully the world.What I earn > What I deserve
Death by 1,000 cuts.Death by 1,000 hesitations.Raise your children and you’ll spoil your grandkids. Spoil your children and you’ll raise your grandkids.
If you’re going to make mistakes, ensure they are born of passion and not sloth.
Faith is a muscle. And some of y’all need to hit the gym 🙏
VIDEO // SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN
🦆 That’s one smooth operator right there. Watch as this mallard cruises down a small waterfall with effortless precision.
Lock up your wives, boys…
WANDERINGS // A SFW GLIMPSE OF OUR BROWSER HISTORY
As my kids got into riding over the past few years, I’ve inevitably learned a lot about horses. But what I didn’t know was the one horse does not necessarily equal one horsepower. Let me explain. Do you ever just sit and stare at the moon? It’s stunningly beautiful in its own way and apparently we can learn a lot by simply taking it all in. Everyone loves the old Springsteen song “Atlantic City”, but who, in reality, was the Chicken Man? Well for starters, he was a huge Philly crime boss. And I’m not a huge dessert guy, but this marriage of Reese’s and Oreos will in all likelihood eventually be the cause of my future morbid obesity.
EYE CANDY // PICTURES > WORDS
This’ll do.
📸 @will_zimm_
Oh, and one more thing…
