December 7, 2010

Archive

NOAA announces fishing rules to protect Gulf of Mexico gag and red grouper in federal waters

Fishing closure in federal waters Jan. 1 – Jun. 30 NOAA Fisheries Service has announced a temporary rule that will prohibit recreational fishing for gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The six-month rule becomes effective on January 1, 2011, and can be extended an additional six months if necessary. This rule will also reduce the commercial quota from 1.49 million pounds to 100,000 pounds and will prohibit the use of the red grouper multi-use individual fishing quota allocation...

Learn about coyotes at Topsail Dec. 18

Family friendly slide show presentation teaches how to prevent negative encounters Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Once a symbol of the American Southwest, the amazingly adaptable coyote can now be found from Alaska to Panama.  Several live at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.  Learn all about coyote behavior and how you can prevent negative encounters with the urbanized coyote at this family-friendly slideshow presentation. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the...

Christmas for the birds and SWFD Elf Ride teach the spirit of giving

Walton area children give to nature and those in need On Dec. 4 children gathered at the Coastal Branch Library in Santa Rosa beach and spent the afternoon making ornaments for wild birds. Decorations were made of pine cones coated with peanut butter and bird seed along with pipe cleaners threaded with Cheerios. The children then decorated a tree next to the library as a special treat for the wildlife. The day quickly got more exciting when Santa arrived with...

Cypress Cattle Company hosting dove hunt Dec. 11

Dove hunt and unique cypress gifts will be available Date/Time: Dec. 11 a.m. Location: Cypress Cattle Company 2890 R M Ward Rd., Ponce De Leon, FL Cypress Cattle Company will be hosting their third phase of dove hunting on Saturday, Dec. 11th. Hunt a 100-acre field of peanut, browntop millet and volunteer watermelon. Lots of birds in the field, with more arriving daily. Hunt will include skeet from 11-1 p.m., transportation to and from the field and a bird pickin’...

Alaqua Animal Refuge furever friend of the week

A pint-sized canine with a personality You might expect a dog named Chopper to be large, tough and slightly intimidating.  Nothing could be farther from the truth with this week’s pet.  Although pint sized in stature, this miniature Pinscher/Manchester terrier mix more than makes up for his diminutive dimensions with personality plus.  His human friends at Alaqua Animal Refuge know him as a colossal clown who loves to play, and who sees and brings out the best in everyone . ...

Patriot Flag to fly at South Walton Fire District headquarters Jan. 17

Memorial flag on its journey across all 50 states honoring the fallen on September 11, 2001 Time: 10 a.m. Location Changed: Publix at South Walton, 2038 U.S. Hwy. 98 W, Santa Rosa Beach The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) will hoist a 60 by 30 foot American “Patriot” flag at the Publix at South Walton, 2038 U.S. Hwy. 98 W, Santa Rosa Beach on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. The Patriot Flag is part of a yearlong memorial leading up to...

Walton County fishing and hunting report for Dec. 1

Fishing is great in the bay, hunting good on Eglin Reservation Bay: Lot of fish being caught in the bay. Abundance of speckled trout being caught with DOAs and MirrOdines. Some redfish and sheepshead being caught with fiddler crabs. Folks are doing great even with the disruption of the weather and it getting colder. Fresh:  Mostly crappie. Some hybrids being caught at the mouth of the river with live shrimp and crank baits. Danny Copeland wants to remind folks that...