Texas hunting season is here. Deer season is in full swing with the bow hunters coming out of the woods and the gun hunters going in. About a year ago my mouth ran a little wild when the media was going on and on about a lion hunter. I never did figure out if people were mad at the hunter or the act of hunting. Either way, I guess all the lion hunting rage has calmed down some. It must have because I haven’t heard a word in our press about the 10-year-old girl that was dragged from her bed and kill by a lion in Kenya this past August.
Since the lion uproar, there has been a 75% to 99% cancellation rate for hunts in Zimbabwe. This is for all hunts, not just for lions. This means a large drop in revenue which funded everything from poaching enforcement to fire prevention.
Now, since man is the only predator a lion has, and lion hunting is way down, what’s the population doing? It growing by large numbers. In February 2016 there was talk of culling 200 lions in Zimbabwe’s Bubye Valley Conservancy because of overpopulation due to loss of habitat and lack of hunting. The best information I have found is the cull never took place. I consider that a good thing.
Is killing one animal to save another justified? In September of this year in the Bubye Valley Conservancy of Zimbabwe, lions killed two rhino calves. These calves were the endangered black rhino. Is this over population or just lions being lions? Could a cull have saved these Rhinos?
Also in September of this year officials killed 350 hippos and buffalo (not bison) in Kruger National Park in South Africa. They are in the worst drought in 30 years. They did this for the health of the heard.
Ok, I’m done with that. I made my call to the fine people at Ye Old Butcher Shop to get the skinny about this year’s deer. They have taken in an average number of deer this bow season. Body condition is outstanding. Lots of rain in the spring and a mild summer produced a lot of natural forage. That means they have plenty to eat. It also means that most of the deer are on the cameras not on the dressing racks. Feedback from the bow hunters I have talked to indicates the same thing. It should be a good year for the taxidermist. By the way, Wells Brothers has 50lb bags of whole corn for $7.25 and the outstanding Antlermax deer feed and blocks. Have a safe season and keep the wind in your face!
Two dogs died in Plano from Leptospirosis in mid-October. What is it? It’s a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It’s more prevalent in dogs than cats but it can be transferred from animal to human. Rats, mice, raccoons, skunks, deer and other urban wildlife are the common carriers of Leptospirosis. It is very, very rare in bobcats. “Lepto” bacteria is spread when contact is made with urine, blood, etc. (not saliva) of an affected animal. The bacteria can survive for weeks in water, food or soil and it’s readily absorbed into the body. Walking through or drinking contaminated water can cause an infection. So pay attention to where your dog goes. Leptospirosis also kills.
To combat Leptospirosis you first control your environment. Try to keep the urban wildlife out. Wildlife needs food, water and shelter to survive. Remove all food sources, this includes taking down the bird feeders (for about a month or two), pick up the uneaten dog food, keep fresh water for outside pets, empty the birdbath and keep the acorns picked up. If you keep pet food in the garage put it in a steel container. If you have a swimming pool, well, good luck. This needs to be a group effort so make sure you talk to your neighbors about this.
Maintain the vaccinations for your pet. Wells Brothers sell a “5-way” puppy and a “10-way” adult dog vaccine along with Bordetella. The adult dog vaccine contains 4 strains of Leptospirosis protection and sells for $17.75. Everyone knows that no vaccination is 100% effective but it’s so much better to be proactive than reactive. So keep your dog vaccinated and check out all the dog food coupons on our website.
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Save $2 off select varieties of Songbird Essentials Wild Bird Seed during the month of November at Wells Brothers. If you’re a bird lover, then this sale is for you.
$2.00 off 20 lb bags of select wild bird seed blends
Stop by Wells Brothers in Plano for wild bird blends, bird treats, bird feeders, and houses.
Bird-feeding tips:
Place your feeder so you can view it from a favorite room or chair. Think of a picture window, deck railing, patio, comfortable armchair or breakfast table. Some feeders are designed to attach to your window pane.
Your birds also need to enjoy where your feeder is placed so make sure it’s near plant or tree cover for protection from the weather and safety, yet easily found too.
Take an old, white t-shirt or towel and place it on the ground beneath your feeder (whether mounted on a pole or hanging from a hook or branch). Take a handful of black-oil sunflower seeds and sprinkle them on your “target”. Birds follow other birds’ feeding patterns so when the first bird finds these seeds, you and your feeder are in business!
Refill your feeder as often as necessary to encourage your backyard birds to enjoy your feeder every day too.
Get ready for your family to enjoy lots of natural fun!
Source: National Bird-Feeding Society
Wells Brothers Pet, Lawn & Garden Supply is pleased to offer monthly specials and coupons.
Click here for the coupons. Wells Bros_Aprl 2023 Coupon Specials_Flyer