Upping the ante in Oregon's beheaded Bighorn case 💰

If you’re still with us, that means you’ve made it to the middle of yet another week.

With that in mind, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get another mid-week dispatch out the door.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

• Senseless waste - Organizations up the ante to find bighorn poachers 💰

• Big thigh country - It’s spring and they’re baring it all in Montana  👙

• Coming out - Bears are coming out a bit earlier than expected 🌞

• Snow dogs and moose - This year’s champ Iditarod champ is a beast 🔪

• I'm embarrassed - Kicking elk for social clout 🤸

Thanks for following along. Don't forget to tell your friends.

NO QUIT
REWARD FOR BEHEADED OREGON BIGHORN SHEEP HITS $4,500

In a blatant case of poaching and wanton waste, wildlife organizations aren’t ready to throw in the towel yet. Despite being unable to uncover any leads regarding the beheaded bighorn found last fall in eastern Oregon, the investigation just got a bump in funding.

Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife (OSP) Troopers responded to a call back in November that led them to the corpse. Believed to be a trophy-caliber ram, OSP was joined by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife in the investigation.  

“It’s so hard to believe that someone would shoot and waste such an amazing animal,” Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation president Martin said in the press release. “The Lookout Mountain herd of bighorn sheep is an area Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), OR WSF and our partners have been focusing a lot of resources to understand what has caused the ongoing loss of animals and this criminal act just adds to that loss.”

🦵 Big thigh country - As the spring thaws begins in Montana so too does the shedding of snow, ice and, according to one fisherman, clothes. Montana Grant chronicles the action on lakes and rivers across Montana and leaves not much to the imagination. According to his most recent observations, drift boats seem to offer would-be viewers the best chance of catching a glimpse of side-boob or a full moon shot. Keep your rod bent out there, fellas.

🍽️ 'Head in the sand' - Animal rights groups are calling on Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department to ditch their plans of continuing to artificially feed elk. Citing the risk of disease spread at feed sites, many are arguing that these feed sites are becoming detrimental, instead of helpful, to elk during the winter months.

🌱 It’s spring, bitc*es - With spring weather arriving early this year, bear sightings across the country are on the rise. With multiple reports of bear emerging from hibernation in states such as Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Colorado, state officials are reminding the public to remain Bear Aware.

 🤝 Supporting the world’s largest elk population - The Eagle Rock Ranch sits on the migratory path for elk in Colorado and is, at least partly, responsible for supporting the world’s largest population of the large ungulates. Having recently acquired the 150-year-old ranch 12 years ago, the new owners are taking a new approach than that of their predecessors. Having fought off the elk for generations, the new owners are embracing the natural inhabitants and working to provide them with safe passage across their ranch.

TOXIC MASCULINITY
IDITAROD MUSHER GETS NAILED WITH TIME PENALTY AFTER GUTTING A MOOSE MID-TRAIL, STILL WINS

If you’re into dog sled racing, it’s likely that you’re familiar with the Iditarod. If you aren’t, it’s the largest sled dog race on the planet and has been running since 1973. It runs each March and, as one can imagine, can get a little hairy. In addition to blizzards and frostbite, participants are at risk for all kinds of animal encounters, including hard-charging moose.  As part of this year’s edition, one musher was hit with a massive time penalty after running into a moose and not taking care of business, as per the Iditarod Trail Committees rulebook.

After running into a moose in the early morning hours, the large animal became entangled with the dogs on the trail. Unable to release the moose, Dallas Seavey was forced to shoot the animal with his pistol around 2 a.m. on March 5th. The debacle, which ended with one dead moose and a severely injured K9, ended up costing Seavey two hours on his overall time...

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

🐻🐻🐻 Gang, gang: What do you call a gang of bears?  I'm not sure, but these one stands upright and carries off a few trash cans.

🤸 I'm embarrassed for her: Tourist nearly kicks elk in the face while doing photographic theatrics for social media.