Oregon serial poacher handed lifetime hunting ban...for the third time 😑

Welcome to 4th best day of the week besides Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As we dig into another week, we’ve got a poacher that has zero regard for wildlife laws, cocaine hippos, blue mountain elk studies and a bear that woke up a bit earlier than expected.

So, while continue to slowly inch back 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:

• Third time’s a charm - We’re hoping for this Oregon poacher 😑

• Missing tail - Montana officials looking for missing Mountain lion tail 🐈

• Blue Mountain Elk study - Calves are up, but overall objectives are tough to nail 📈

• Aerial survey results - Minnesota’s moose are bouncing back, but a cautionary approach is necessary 🫎

• Peek-A-Boo - Sleepy bear emerges from den with a whole lot of snow left on the ground 🥱

LOCK HIS ASS UP
OREGON SERIAL POACHER LOSES HUNTING PRIVILEGES FOR LIFE…FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 10 YEARS

In a story as unbelievable as the headline, a serial poacher from Grant County, Oregon, has once again, had his hunting privileges revoked for life. This time for the third time in the last 10 years. 

While they say that the third time is a charm, many remain skeptical that this fellow has learned any sort of lesson, including the District Attorney.

“Palmer is a habitual offender who does not care what restrictions are placed on him,” District Attorney Jim Carpenter said. “He is going to trophy-hunt or fish as he wishes without regard for the law or other people. Palmer’s behaviors make it harder for the law-abiding hunter and wildlife enthusiast in the pursuit of their activities, be it putting food on the table for their families or recreational enjoyment of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat.”  

In events dating as far back as 2008, 34-year-old Travis Alexander Palmer of Mount Vernon has a long history of run-ins with local wildlife law enforcement…

🐈 Montana officials are looking for information regarding a poached mountain lion with a missing tail. In a somewhat bizarre move, someone has illegally killed a Montana mountain lion and removed the animal’s tail, along with its head. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens are investigating the death of a mountain lion that was discovered near mile marker three on the Troy Mine Road south of Troy. The lion was found wrapped in a tarp and is without both its head and tail.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Warden Sawyer Johnson at 406-291-6539. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

🤷 Blue Mountain Elk study reveals calf survival is up but overall herd growth remains uncertain. A three-year assessment of the elk population in Washington's Blue Mountains has revealed fluctuations in calf survival rates and overall herd dynamics. Initially, calf survival rates were alarmingly low, at only 13%, with predation by mountain lions identified as the primary cause. However, subsequent years showed a significant improvement, with survival rates rising to 47.5% in 2023 and further to 52.5% in 2024. This resulted in an overall average calf survival rate of 36.8% over the three-year period, a figure that is considered sufficient for herd stability and potential growth.

Despite the promising increase in calf survival, the calf-to-cow ratio remained low, suggesting that the herd's reproductive capacity may not be reaching its full potential. Researchers believe this could be due to a lag in production, low pregnancy rates, or low cow survival rates. 

Environmental factors, such as drought and harsh winters, are also believed to have negatively impacted the herd's reproductive capabilities. According to the report, future research will focus on cow-specific factors and habitat conditions to better understand the herd's dynamics and help the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife make management decisions moving forward.

The management objective for the herd is to maintain a population of 5,500 individuals, but this target is debated due to concerns about crop damage. Biologist Mark Vekasy has stated that there is a difference between carrying capacity and objective. He said the Blue Mountains are able to support a herd well above the objective, but noted that when elk numbers are that high, they often leave the mountains and cause crop damage.

🫎 Minnesota moose survey says populations are stable, but moose aren’t out of the woods just yet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' latest survey shows that the state's moose population has stabilized over the past decade, but threats such as climate change, predators, and parasites continue to endanger the animals.

The recently conducted 2025 survey of northeastern Minnesota estimates the population at about 4,040 moose, up from 3,470 in 2024. The estimates have remained relatively stable after crashing between 2009 and 2013, during which time the state's moose population fell by about 60 percent since the mid-2000s.

"Results continue to suggest that after a steep decline from a population estimate of approximately 8,000 in 2009, Minnesota's moose population appears to have stabilized and has fluctuated around 3,700 animals in recent years," the agency said Monday.

Researchers conduct the annual survey, which is a partnership with the DNR, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the 1854 Treaty Authority, by flying overhead to count moose in the winter and then estimate the total population using a variety of factors including the number of bulls, cows, and calves that were seen.

1. They say to eliminate empty words from your writing. It’s probably a good idea to do that in our lives as well. 

2. Not every moment needs to be captured digitally. Life was better when cameras only showed up on occasion.

3. More people commit suicide from financial loss than from medical diagnosis. There’s a lesson in there.

4. More of Him, less of me. 🙏

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

😴 I don’t know about you, but with all that snow, I’d go back to bed. Watch as a photographer captures the moment a big ol’ grizz feels the sun on his face for the first time since the fall season.

Oh, and one more thing…