Outdoors in RI: New trout, salmon stock, under surveillance in the woods, 2A update – Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

The State of RI DEM has stocked numerous waterways with Rainbow and Brook Trout, and Atlantic Salmon for the celebration of Veterans Day. 

16 different ponds and rivers will be stocked with the healthy size trout and salmon.  The weather will be cool this weekend so dress appropriately, especially if you are in a boat, kayak or canoe. And do not forget your PFD. 

One angler Thursday morning caught 9 trout and released 6.  Very large and chunky:

Pheasant hunting is moving along at a slow rate.  Coyotes are the major problem.  Wednesday this writer counted 19 kills in the fields of Big River.  16 of those kills were Roosters.  The photos are just a minority of the kills encountered.  When a bird is dropped there are a few feathers here and there but these kills one could stuff pillows with the large quantity of feathers.  These large piles of feathers illustrate that the birds are shredded right there in the middle of the fields, again, like previous years at Big River.  There are numerous kills all within 20 feet of each other.  So, what will motivate the pheasant hunters to start taking coyotes? 

Last year I offered a free DD coffee to anyone taking a Coyote on state land.  Those 19 kills equate to $427 in lost Pheasant funds to fatten the Coyotes.  $437 is a half a day at Addiville Farms.  Abby did find a couple of Pheasants and I was fortunate to take a hen. The fact the 2 birds were still there shows that if we eliminate the Coyotes we all will enjoy going home with our Pheasant limits.  I am hearing from many they are doing well in Great Swamp.  I wonder if the Coyote population is less in the swamp?

Yes, we are under surveillance!

Some other items noted out in Big River is that we may be under surveillance as I found an unusual device right off the road on the way to the fields. The ID tag says it is property of the RI Water Resource Board. The objective is to gather data for some sort of property management plan for Big River.  I contacted the Water Resource Board, however, the woman answered the phone with an announcement that did not indicate Water Resource Board.  I stated who I was and asked what the cameras were for?  Her answers were evasive, answering a question with a question. She wanted to know if I was a hunter, and I said yes.  She then asked if I had a permit? I replied if I didn’t I would be a poacher, not a hunter.  I received a return call later. The information provided by the Water Resource Board is that they consider the area a “sensitive area” and if “too many are using the area- use may be restricted as safety may be a concern”.  Numerous restrictions are now being employed and considered in regard to public safety in the post-Covid world.  Yes, folks it is indeed 1984!

I doubt the littering people are being caught.  That would be a smart use for these cameras. People requiring dog owners to bag after dog use was mentioned in a previous article. However, to bag the dog waste and throw it into the woods defeats the entire purpose as shown in the picture.  One is in the woods! The Bears, Moose, Bobcats, Deer, Coyotes, etc do not clean up after themselves – so why bother to clean up after your dog? 

Currently, the dog waste bags left in the woods as litter are on par with the number of water bottles and soda cans I find deep into the state management areas.

2A Update

The NRA is planning a comeback with a vengeance.  The NRA submitted a writ of Certiorari to the US Supreme court and the writ was granted.  The defendant, Maria T. Vullo, is CEO of an advisory firm that is being held liable for encouraging bank and insurance companies to avoid doing business with the NRA in an alleged effort to bankrupt the NRA.  Hopefully if the NRA wins, they receive back all money lost in damages refund.

The Rahimi case was argued before SCOTUS Tuesday.  Within minutes the MSM were waving their anti-2A banners boasting of how commonsense gun legislation will return.

Take that opinion with a grain of salt.  While the decision will likely keep Rahimi in jail due to his violent nature, the decision will in fact help reinforce the 2A, such as the DOJ wants to make all non-responsible people unable to own a gun.  Chief Justice Roberts had a large problem with the Solicitor General stating that gun owners must be responsible. Chief Justice Roberts stated, “Wait – I should lose my right to own a gun because I drive 30 mph in a 25 mph zone?  Bottom line is the DOJ is the enemy of the 2A and SCOTUS will not tolerate that attitude.

Keep in mind, besides the 2A cases above, there are two more that will have direct impact:  One is the Bump Stock Ban case, Garland V Cargill, and the other is Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo; and waiting in the wings is Garland V Range.  Moments before article submission The BATF Frames and Receiver rules were vacated nationwide by a 3-judge panel in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.  This vacatur joined the BATF Pistol Brace vacatur that occurred Wednesday.  Looks like the MSM may be celebrating rather prematurely.

The 2A and the rest of the constitution is protected by the US military.  Support the military past and present and please attend the City of Cranston Veterans Day Parade Saturday, November 11th:  Park Ave at Doric Street, to Rolfe Square, shoving off at 11:30 am.  See you there!

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Read more articles by Jeff Gross, here: https://rinewstoday.com/jeff-gross/

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.