Outdoors in RI: Fishing, hunting, 2A. Heads up, Coyotes – Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

As Fall is rapidly approaching, here are some topics are of interest. Trout fishing will ramp up as the waters start to cool from this oppressive heat and dew point that we are experiencing at this moment.  For those folks that have been slamming the bass as of late it will be a nice change of pace to have some color on the end of your line. Trout in the wild will be changing into spawning colors even more dramatic than what we are seeing currently with native trout.  While we in Rhode Island will feel fortunate to catch an 8-inch Native Brook trout, It is not uncommon for those in Maine to catch a 16-to-18-inch Native Brookie.

Now trout anglers need to be aware that bans on trout fishing are starting to occur. Recently, the Shenandoah National Park was closed to all fishing to protect the native brook trout species.  Shenendoah National Park is approximately 60 miles long by 5 miles wide. Longer than the state of Rhode Island by 10 miles. Imagine the State of Rhode Island being closed to fishing to protect one species. 

I understand the RI DEM having sections of fishing areas for artificial lures use only.  This management practice allows a species to become native to the area while still allowing fishing.  These tropical like temperatures are not helping the situation for trout to thrive.  The heavy-handed approach in the Shenendoah National Park is of questionable origins.  Years ago, before I started writing, I was giving a short talk on animal rights activists shutting down fishing.  Apparently, these activists believe we should only eat plants.  Sorry I am not a cow; I am a carnivore. A pair of attendees scoffed at my statement.  Did the animal rights people have an influence on Shenandoah? 

As we gun owners are rapidly finding out those that want to ban a sport will attack the sport from all possible angles. The week of this article hunters won a major victory in court as the Federal Courts ruled in favor of hunters using lead ammo in national forests.  The Center for Biological Diversity brought a lawsuit against the US Forest Service to ban all lead-based ammo while hunting in all US forests.  The 9th Circuit Court of appeals, which is generally 2A un-friendly, decided in favor of the hunters, the US Forest Service and the NRA.  It is good to see the NRA back in the game.

Pheasant Pilaf is a hearty, tasty, comfort food that is better than a rat burger at a local fast-food joint.  If you have leftover frozen Pheasant breasts, now is a good time to clean out the freezer in preparation for the upcoming small game season which begins October 21st.  All that is needed is to grill Pheasant breast fillets on a high setting on your outdoor grill to sear the fillet. The fillets were marinated in a Teriyaki, Pinot Grigio, Italian Dressing combination marinade. Pay close attention to the grilling as the fillets cook very fast.  Overcook and the fillets will be like hard rubber.  The Rice Pilaf is just a Dollar Tree Rice mix of either Broccoli Chedder or Chicken mix. Follow the Package directions and add the grilled Pheasant that has been cut into 1-inch cubes two minutes before the rice is done cooking.  The rice package mix and 1 Pheasant breast serves 2 quite well.  Pay close attention to the rice cooking, because if you turn your back it can overheat rapidly and explode onto the stove. 

Pheasant Hunters:  September 15th Coyote hunting on state lands opens.  Last year I gave up hunting on 2 locations: Carolina American Fish and Big River, as the areas are overrun with Coyotes.  Last time I was in either location I found 3 dead and 4 dead half-eaten pheasants, respectively.  The pheasants did not make it more than 20 yards from the stocking truck judging by the tire prints. For those who do not know, here are the predators of Pheasants – Owls, multiple species of Hawks, Fox, Fisher Cats, and Coyotes.

While Owls, Hawks, other raptors and Fisher Cats are off limits to hunting, we can reduce the populations of Fox and Coyotes.  Fox are not huntable until October 21st.  However, there is no closed season on Coyotes on private property. Remember: Coyotes are not our friends. Coyotes wiped out the Rhode Island Grouse population and are now doing the same in New Hampshire and Maine. Coyotes are like Feral Cats. Taking 1 Coyote on state land results in 14-20 more pheasants in that area during hunting season as well as some late season birds.  So do the Pheasant hunting community a service on September 15th – go Coyote hunting!  I hope to encounter you out there.

For you folks in the hunting and shooting communities, please take the time to subscribe to Guns and Gadgets on YouTube.  Jared has repeatedly mentioned that 40% of his viewers are not subscribed.  To subscribed one just needs to tap the bell icon while viewing YouTube.  That is it.  This writer eliminated his Live TV when Tucker Carlson left Fox News. I find Informative videos much more appealing now than watching 15 minutes of TV that is ladened with 15-45 minutes of commercials.  These informative Videos are a great way to exercise your brain.  Jared’s videos have a sponsor at the beginning and that is it; the videos are commercial-free thereafter. A subscribed viewer receives instant notification when a new video comes out. No telemarketing phone calls, or other nonsense comes with this subscription.  This subscription is also a metric that YouTube uses to gauge the popularity of an influencer.  Subscriptions send a clear message to YouTube that 2A is a rapidly growing topic and sport.

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I would like to thank Mercedes of Belgrade, Maine for reminding me of a pastime temporarily forgotten.  The pastime is taking a walk or hike in the woods while the snow is coming down. The scene is just like one would see on the Hallmark Channel.  The last time I partook in a snowy event I was Pheasant Hunting with my friend, Ed, in the Carolina Management Area in late December. The falling snow was coming down at 1-inch an hour and it was awesome.  The woods were silent, and I heard my Golden Retriever, Haley, flush a hen pheasant into a tree about 50 yards away, but it sounded like it happened right next to me.  I look forward to this coming winter and I hope it is a snowy one.  The child is alive and well in me and hopefully I can break out the snow tubes that are unused in my basement and catch a few runs on a Rhode Island Hill top.

Enjoy the air conditioning – and see you early next week as it is time for a 2A update. 

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Jeffrey “Jeff” Gross spent 21 years as an Analytical Chemist at the USCG R&D Center in Groton, Connecticut, Woods Hole Laboratories, and Helix Technologies. Changing careers is a “great learning experience for everyone”, Jeff says, and I’m an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a student of the sciences, and the world. The US holds too many wonders not to take a chance and explore them”.Jeff is the Model Train and Railroad entrepreneur. Proud Golden Retriever owner. Ultra strong Second Amendment Advocate and Constitutionalist. “Determined seeker of the truth”. Jeff is a RIFGPA Legislative and Legal Officer, Freshwater Chairman, NRA Liaison.His subjects include Outdoors, Second Amendment, Model Railroading, and Whimsical.