Most outdoorsmen have heard of Lyme Disease, and some of them might even understand the life cycle of the deer tick involved in spreading this much misunderstood ailment.

Back in the early 1990’s, my hunting pal Jim returned home from the deer hunt with a large ‘bull’s eye’ like red welt on his forearm. Luckily for Jim, the Doctor knew right away he had been bitten by an infected female deer tick.

Jim was treated right away and suffered no ill-effects from his brush with the dreaded Lyme Disease.

I also have another friend, her name is Kelly, and I’ve worked with her for 15 years. Kelly, her husband and their two kids love the outdoors and camping is an activity they all share. About 2 years ago, Kelly and her family made the mistake of spending time at a campground on Big Rideau Lake. Evidently, there were signs indicating the presence of deer ticks, but they never noticed them.

Poor Kelly returned home from that trip with more than just memories, and unlike my pal Jim, there was no telltale bull’s eye rash to indicate anything was wrong.

Somehow she was bitten by an effected, blood engorged deer tick and contracted Lyme disease without even knowing it. Over the next few months strange things began happening to her – memories loss, lack of energy, general confusion.

The local Doctors were baffled. At one point, they felt very strongly that she had developed MS, but it was Lyme Disease all the time and it had been left untreated for nearly a year before they could finally pinpoint a diagnosis.

Kelly is a beautiful person inside and out and one of the nicest girls I ever met, and in no way deserves the horrors that go along with this terrible disease. She has been on disability from her government job for more than a year now, with regular visits to the United States and 10’s of thousands of dollars spent on meds to help control the disease.

It is felt that eventually she will be rid of this terrible condition but what will it take? With two young children at home and her husband struggling to keep up with the exorbitant costs of meds not currently covered by OHIP.

Please, I urge you all to sign the Petition for Lyme Disease, for people like Kelly, and for the 20-30 others who will contract Lyme Disease in Ontario this year.

Get well soon, Kel..we all miss you and are praying for your full recovery…

A Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

WHEREAS, the tick-borne illness known as Chronic Lyme Disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the U.S.A. and Europe; and

WHEREAS, the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments, and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000 edition of their professional journal that Lyme Disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in Southern Ontario; and

WHEREAS, the Ontario Public Health system and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process for establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives 45 to 95% of the time;

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to direct the Ontario Public Health system and OHIP to include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for Acute and Chronic Lyme Disease in Ontario, and to have everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme Disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.

Sign here: http://www.randyhilliermpp.com/lyme_disease?recruiter_id=15406 

(A Police detective in a hazmat suit prepares to bury a puppy killed by PETA)

The wheels seem to be falling off for our good friends over at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

A recent Expose of Animal Shelter practices by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has produced some shocking results.

The report indicated that approximately 2,000 animals pass through PETA’s front door every year with the vast majority of them - 96 percent in 2011 – heading straight out the back after they have been killed.

(Photo of PETA ‘death kit’ confiscated by Police from the organization’s van in Ahoskie, North Carolina)

Last year, 733 dogs entered this PETA Animal Shelter. They killed 602 of them. Only 12 were adopted. Also in 2012, the oganization impounded 1,110 cats. 1,045 were put to death. Seven of them were adopted.

Among the other shocking discoveries was a dumpster full of garbage bags, where Police found the bodies of dead animals all killed by the Organization. PETA described these animals as “adorable” and “perfect.”

A veterinarian who naively gave PETA some of the animals, thinking they would find them homes, and examined the dead bodies of others, testified that they were “healthy” and “adoptable.”

So I ask you, is this an Organization you want to support? Where are all the Millions in donations going?

The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach yet still not surprising given some of the antics we’ve seen, over the years, from these clowns.

Outdoorsguy

Our buddy Keebler enjoyed a nice start to his 2013 Wild Turkey season…check out the story of his hunt:

So my buddy’s land is in between 2 farms.  The turkeys travel back and forth throughout the day, but don’t roost there so I opted for a late opening day hunt.

I set myself up and gave one hen assembly call.  Normally I make a call, wait a minute or 2 so I can hear any responses then set up my camcorder.

That didn’t work this time.  I was just reaching for my camcorder when I heard something walking.  A bearded hen came out!  I let her go – no sense shooting the poult breeder.  She looked for turkeys, but didn’t see any (I didn’t use decoys) and she left.

I waited 3 minutes and assembly called again.  Waited 5 more minutes and gave 1 gobble.  Nothing in response whatsoever. Since I knew there was at least 1 turkey in the area, I didn’t set my camcorder on.  No sense getting busted because I couldn’t see how far she had walked away.

Then I heard more walking coming from the direction in which the hen left.  I turned my head cam on and waited.

And out stepped this beauty of a tom. I saw the beard, the redhead, my safety was off and I slowly moved my 12 gauge for a shot.  He wasn’t fanned out…just walking with his head pivoting looking for the gobbler (which was me!) He stood there and took a few steps back the way he came, his head was up the entire time looking around.  Bang, he was down instantly.  22 lbs  8″ beard 1.25″ spurs.  Great colour to him. 

Not bad for a 20 minute hunt…

Keebler

This Thursday marks the beginning of Ontario’s 2013 Spring wild turkey season – a week that many hunters have been waiting for with baited breath.

I predict some good calling weather ahead for the weekend.

What are your plans and where are you headed?

Drop me a line, and be sure to check-out this Thursday’s Ottawa SUN and Pembroke Daily Observer(now online) Outdoors Columns dedicated to the pursuit of this province’s favourite fowl!

Outdoorsguy

 

A man in Belarus is dead following an attack by a beaver

That’s right, I said beaver!!

The man was on his way to a lake with some friends when, he spotted one of the flat-tailed critters on the side of a road and tried to take a photo.

Apparently this fur-bearer was not impressed with being the center of attention, and it attacked the man with the fury of 1000 beavers… (I couldn’t even type that with a straight face but this way no joke)

The fisherman was bitten several times in the upper thigh which severed a major artery. First aid was administered and an ambulance operator said the man died from blood loss.

Spring is an especially difficult time for beavers around the world. The young adults are pushed from the lodge to fend for themselves. Oftentimes you will see beavers (in this region) dead along the side of the road which are, no doubt, these young adults seeking out new territory.

Evidently these animals can get rather testy at this time of year as well..

Outdoorsguy

 

If you haven’t yet read an issue of Bounder Magazine, I suggest you hop on the bus Gus!

Bounder is marketed as a Men’s Magazine, but really its appeal transcends all gender lines. Whether you’re male, female or even beast, you’ll likely discover something of interest within the thick, high quality pages of this publication. 

Thanks to ‘brains behind the publication’ Brian Warren, Bounder is getting better and better with every issue. It can be found ‘scattered like springtime turkey poults’ throughout the Ottawa valley, across town and at a number of different outlets.

I usually pick mine up at Metro or Canadian Tire.

I would like to ( again) thank Brian for having me as part of this Ottawa success story these past 2 1/2 years. For features on classic cars, dogs, men’s health, music, fishing, comedy, hunting, local entertainment, and regular columns by Red Green, Randall Moore, John Switzer, Mark Papousek, Tom McLellan, Dave Brown, Delmer & Cecil and more.  In this annual ‘Wheels Edition’, I discuss everything an avid hunter and fisherman needs to know for the Spring!

Hey, keep an eye out for Brian and his Bounder Booth this weekend at the Valley Sportsmen and Outdoor Show!

Outdoorsguy

Don’t forget the Valley Sportsmen & Outdoor Show this weekend in Carp and, courtesy of my friends at Muskies Canada, here are details on ‘Muskie Day’ which runs all day Saturday:

Muskellunge are the largest freshwater predators in our waters. They are rare, elusive and magnificent to see in the wilds.  Some anglers have had close encounters with a big muskie.  Catch-and-release has been very effective in producing a world-class, sustainable fishery for muskie in the Ottawa area.

On April 6, Muskies Canada will put on a full day of information, workshops and seminars on muskie fishing at the Valley Fishing and Outdoor Show at the Carp arena.  Muskie Day is included with general admission to the show. How-to workshops will cover all aspects of equipment and baits, casting and trolling techniques and how to handle, photograph and safely release these important fish.

There will also be keynote presentations throughout the day about the muskie fishery on the Ottawa, Rideau and St. Lawrence River systems.  Several announcements will be made during the day that will benefit the muskellunge fishery in the Ottawa area.

The event is being held by Muskies Canada and will feature six chapters located throughout eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Muskie Day partners include Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Parks Canada, and Ottawa River Muskie Factory. John Anderson, a well-known Ottawa River guide will be a keynote speaker.

 “Muskie Day will help everyone better appreciate the muskies that inhabit our local waters”, says Peter Levick, Chair of the Ottawa chapter. “We need to be able to catch and handle these fish in a way that ensures their long-term success. We also want to help everyone see how healthy watersheds support more dynamic fisheries, ensuring a place for muskies which are at the top of the food chain”.   Muskies Canada promotes catch-and-release to ensure a sustainable muskie population and we are also involved in important initiatives that improve habitat and monitor water quality.

1) Turkey

2) trout

 Beat

Which one do you choose?

Send me your spring plans and I will feature you (and all your secrets) in my next Ottawa SUN Outdoors Column. There’s no money involved, in case you’re wondering…

Outdoorsguy

I was speaking with my father yesterday- who lives the heart of sugar bush country – and it looks like syrup producers are poised and ready for take-off this weekend!

At long last!!

Ah, there is nothing like the maple syrup time of year, if you ask me, and I have spent more years than I can recall working the sugar bush. Times I will never forget..not easy work, I might add, but extremely rewarding!

What a blast it was – running lines, repairing breaks, tapping, watching the evaporator, taking the syrup off and even canning. The whole operation is a hoot right down to the moment when that first batch of syrup comes off…man it tastes great when its warm.

There is a definite science involved in any maple syrup operation; from understanding the sap’s sugar content at various times of the year, knowing the colour, taste and density of grade ‘A’ syrup, to skills like understanding how to build and maintain the perfect fire to keep your evaporator going steady.

Then there’s moment when the ‘webbing starts’ at precisely 7 degrees above boiling point of water, and your pure maple syrup is ripe for the picking, or pouring I should say.

Old school syrup producers have never used modern gauges and I’m sure never worried about it either. They can read more in the webbing off their ladle than a thousand sophisticated gauges could ever read..now that is science in itself.

The final product, well, it is a thing of beauty and there is really nothing in the world that compares to the taste of fresh maple syrup, or taffy on snow.

Canada produces 90% of the world’s supply of maple syrup(majority coming from QC) – a statistic we should be extremely proud of.  It is a big part of our heritage just like hunting, fishing or the fur industry.

Now get out there and enjoy some pure Canadian goodness!! (The forecast this weekend looks like -3 to -5 at night with a daily high around 4 -5 degrees C, and all of next week looks the same.)

Outdoorsguy

We had the pleasure of playing host to this beautiful feathered specimen for over three hours this weekend!

This mature Barred Owl (tks Rick for assisting with identification) roosted on a branch of our red pine yesterday, and was quite content to hang out there most of the morning.

If not for the crows harassing this fellow, I wouldn’t have even known it was there. He appeared to be sleeping most of the time but always knew we were watching him; regardless of which door we came out to take photos.

It is fabulous to see these birds around . I know Iggy told me about Great Grey Owl sightings this winter which is reminiscent of 6-7 winters ago when owls were staging in our region.

Well, I’ve never had to pleasure of seeing a Barred Owl before, let along one hanging out less than 75 feet from my house!

Apart from taking a nap, I figure this guy was keeping an eye on squirrels in the neighbour’s property. Either that or was hunting meadow voles or cottontails in the back field.

Hey, who says hunters can’t enjoy the beauty of nature!

Outdoorsguy