Mass Caribou Slaughter in Manitoba Sparks Outrage and Calls for Reform ⚖️

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

So, as we toast in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great country, let’s grab our coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Disturbing - Mass caribou slaughter leads to investigation in northern Canada 🕵️‍♀️

• Air rifles for big game - PA is toying with the idea 🔫

• Bison bill - Colorado bill outlaws bison hunting 🦬

• Back up for bullfrogs - Louisiana bill to legalize carrying for frog hunting 🐸

• Either sex regs - New Maine might open up deer hunting in specific zones 🦌

• Get rammed - Watch as this group nearly gets pushed off the side of a mountain 🐏 

A DISTURBING SCENE
MASS CARIBOU SLAUGHTER IN MANITOBA SPARKS OUTRAGE AND CALLS FOR REFORM

In a grim discovery last month, upwards of 75 caribou, primarily pregnant cows carrying unborn calves, were found slaughtered in Manitoba’s Nueltin Lake Provincial Park, near the Manitoba-Nunavut border. The carcasses, scattered across the snow near Nueltin Lake Lodge, revealed significant meat wastage, with discarded front shoulders, necks, ribs, and some hind quarters. The scene, described as deeply disturbing, also included fully formed fetuses, foreshadowing the loss of future generations of the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd. The incident, coupled with severe vandalism found at the lodge, has prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for wildlife management reform.

Nick Scigliano, the U.S.-based owner of Nueltin Lake Lodge, discovered the carnage during a property inspection. Having recently purchased the property, he was doing a fly-over when he not only spotted the piles of caribou but also noticed that many of the cabins he had purchased were being illegally occupied. 

According to Scigliano, the lodge was heavily vandalized, with other buildings forcibly entered and valuable items stolen. At the time of the inspection, he decided not to land on the property, instead opting to return the following week with some additional firepower…

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

'Not your childhood BB guns': Pa. legislator considers air rifles for big game hunting: Rep. Gary W. Day, a Republican from Lehigh County, sent a memo on May 7 to his fellow House members seeking co-sponsors for legislation that “would authorize the use of large caliber air rifles for hunting big game in Pennsylvania. Read the full story.

Bill signed to make hunting bison illegal in Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill that makes hunting wild bison illegal in Colorado. Read the full story.

Louisiana bill aims to allow hunters to carry guns while frog hunting: Frog hunting is a traditional pastime for many - heading out into the marsh at night, hunters use spotlights and nets to catch American bullfrogs. They have not been able to bring along guns. A change in the law may soon allow them to do so. Read the full story.

Maine proposes opening 6 WMDs to taking either sex deer with regular license: The state would open six wildlife management districts to allow shooting a deer of either sex this fall if the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife adopts a proposed rule. The open districts would be WMD 21-25 and 29 and would only require a regular hunting license.  Read the full story.

Three Pennsylvania turkey hunters mistakenly shot, one explains what happened to him: The Pennsylvania Game Commission has investigated three incidents in which hunters were accidentally shot this month during spring gobbler season. One of the victims, Justin Silfies, 30, of Quakertown, shared what he experienced when he was shot in the head while hunting in Lehigh County. Read the full story.

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

🐏 That moment a bighorn contemplates ramming your ass right off the side of a mountain. Watch as this bighorn comes across a group up in the mountains and thinks about whether or not they ought to be removed.

I can’t totally blame him, but can we talk about how concerned that dude is though…

The pull of the Memorial Day weekend.

📸 : @hunter_pauley

Oh, and one more thing…