Missouri Man Convicted in the Illegal Killing of the 800-mile Mountain Lion 🐈

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:

• Lion killer convicted - The Missouri man who killed an ear-tagged cougar is convicted 🧑‍⚖️

• High speed chase - Pair of Florida poachers get stuck in an orange grove following high-speed pursuit 🏎️

• Sleep with one eye open - Utah man survives bear attack while sleeping on an outdoor cot 🥱

• Poached antlers - Lodgepole man nailed for killing deer for antler cash 🦌

• Mama to the rescue - Well…maybe 🐻 

Miss something this week?

YOU’RE AN IDIOT
MISSOURI MAN CONVICTED IN THE ILLEGAL KILLING OF THE 800-MILE MOUNTAIN LION

In a story dating back to 2023 when a young mountain lion kitten was first ear-tagged in Nebraska, the man who carelessly (and illegally) ended its life has finally been convicted.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Joseph Licklider, was charged back in December with taking a protected species of wildlife after he offered conservation officers a full confession about shooting the animal while deer hunting in Iron County, Missouri.

Authorities went on to say that Licklider stated that the lion had passed below the tree stand he and another hunter were hunting from and as it walked away from them, he decided to shoot it. Without any real motive for shooting the cougar (like threatening of life), Licklider admitted that he was simply too excited to have seen the lion in the first place, that he decided to shoot it as it walked away…

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🏎️ Pair of Florida Men Arrested for Illegal Deer Hunting After Leading Deputies on High-Speed Chase. On Thursday, two men, Bryson Peebles, 26, of Bartow, and Aleia Douglas, 29, of Auburndale were arrested in Polk County, Florida, after being caught illegally hunting deer from a roadway. A Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officer attempted to stop their silver Ford F-150, after observing the pair using a gun and a light to hunt deer along a public roadway. The suspects fled, leading deputies on a chase that included the use of stop-sticks in three different locations. The chase finally ended after the last stop-stick placement managed to damage the suspect’s front tire and later caused their truck got stuck in the sand in the middle of an orange grove where they were finally apprehended.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted the FWC in apprehending the men, who were taken into custody without further incident. The FWC charged Peebles and Douglas with hunting from a roadway and hunting deer with a light and a gun, violating Florida wildlife regulations.

🧸 Utah Man Survives Black Bear Attack, Bear Euthanized. In Garfield County, Utah, a 43-year-old man survived a black bear attack while sleeping on a cot in the Bryce Woodlands community. The incident occurred late Tuesday night between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. when the bear approached the victim who was trying to get some shut-eye. Awakened by the sounds of a rustling bruin, the man originally stood his ground in hopes that the bear would leave, but it approached and attacked. He fought off the bear as best he could, but once the animal had taken a bite out of his arm, he decided to get up and get to his truck, with the bear in pursuit. A coworker fired two shots in the vicinity of the bear, causing it to flee. The man was later treated at a hospital in Panguitch and released.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources tracked down the male black bear the following afternoon and euthanized it due to its aggressive behavior and the injury it caused. The incident occurred near the France Canyon Fire, which may have displaced the bear, though a direct connection remains uncertain. 

🚔 Lodgepole Man Charged with Poaching Deer and Elk in Montana. Marvin Cole, a 29-year-old from Lodgepole, is up against multiple charges following an investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks into illegal hunting activities in Blaine and Phillips Counties. During the fall of 2024, FWP wardens sought public assistance after discovering headless deer and elk on private properties in both counties, and later found that Cole was involved in the unlawful killing, possession, waste, and sale of antlers from two whitetail deer and one bull elk. The young man now faces one felony and nine misdemeanor charges, including unlawful possession, waste of game, hunting without a valid license, failure to obtain landowner permission, and illegal sale of game animal parts.

The FWP’s investigation was aided by tips from the public, as well as collaboration with the Fort Belknap Police Department, U.S. Probation-Glasgow, Havre Police Department, Wyoming Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, and local county attorneys and property owners.

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Deer feeding, attractant ban growing by 8 counties in Minnesota: After Chronic Wasting Disease was detected in wild deer in new areas of the state last year, DNR officials say the state’s ban will be extended to Anoka, Clay, Ramsey, Sherburne, Steele, Traverse, Wilkin and Wright counties.  Read the full story.

Pennsylvania hunters to see changes and guarantees as 2025-26 licenses go on sale: The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced the early access window to ease long lines and provide convenience. Once sales open to nonresidents at 8 a.m. on July 14, all remaining antlerless licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out.  Read the full story.

New Washington Fishing, Hunting License Prices Out: “As a result of state legislation passed this session, hunting and fishing license fees will increase July 1, 2025, reflecting the first license fee increase since 2011,” states an email from WDFW out this morning. “Signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on May 17, the bill increases fees by 38% and includes a senior discount for hunting licenses and a senior and disabled veteran discount for license packages (Fish Washington and Get Outdoors).” Read the full story.

Michigan rescues black bear whose head was stuck in plastic lid for 2 years: For two years, a young black bear roamed Montmorency County with a plastic lid clamped around its neck, until state wildlife experts finally intervened. Read the full story.

Wisconsin DNR advisory committee recommends a sharp-tailed grouse hunt this fall: For the first time in seven years, Wisconsin may host a sharp-tailed grouse hunting season this fall. At least that's the recommendation of the Department of Natural Resources' Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee. Read the full story.

West Virginia DNR accepting applications for fall waterfowl hunt: According to a media release, hunters have until midnight on August 15, 2025, to apply for a controlled waterfowl hunt at the McClintic Wildlife Management Area near Point Pleasant in Mason County. Read the full story.

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🍽️ This bear is just about to get his breakfast on…until Mama shows up. Watch this incredible footage of a young bear chasing down an elk calf when suddenly its mother enters the picture.

I searched high and low and don’t have any information as to how this turned out…

Miss something this week?

The pull of the weekend.

📸 : @yin_and_tonic

Oh, and one more thing…