October 9, 2013

Archive

Walton County fishing report for Oct. 9

Fishing is good Choctawhatchee Bay: Trout bite is still good early, and good size. Good size redfish bites as well. Creeks/river: Crappie bite is on. Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the tourists are welcome.” Click here to find out more about Copeland’s. Copeland’s Gun and Tackle Shop 17290 U.S. Hwy. 331 S Freeport, Florida 32439 (850) 835-4277 Store hours: Mon. – Fri.: 6 a.m. – 5:30...

Gopher tortoises find refuge at Nokuse Plantation

More than 3,400 tortoises thrive at preserve in Walton County In its natural habitat many years ago, the gopher tortoise was a thriving species in Northwest Florida. This medium-sized tortoise with a gray or amber to dark brown shell is as old as the sandhills it loves. It is one of the oldest species on Earth, dating back to the Pleistocene Epoch – the Ice Age. Gopher tortoises are long-lived reptiles that occupy upland habitat throughout Florida including forests, pastures,...

FWC asks public to share bear sightings, stash trash

Black bears bulking up for season In fall, the world is an all-you-can-eat buffet for Florida black bears. Programmed to pack in extra calories before winter, bears can smell food a mile away and will eat almost anything. Bears may decide an overflowing trash can is easier pickings than searching for acorns and berries. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public this is a critical time of year to properly store garbage, pet food and birdseed...

Stone crab season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters

Get your claw crackers ready! Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters. Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters. To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care when removing crab claws and follow all protective regulations for stone crab harvest. Claws may not be taken from egg-bearing stone crabs. Egg-bearing females are identifiable by the...

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Festival of the Arts Oct. 26-27, 2013

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) will host the 18th Annual Festival of the Arts (formerly Destin Festival of the Arts) on Oct. 26-27, 2013. One of the Southeast’s premier art festivals, the event features more than 100 juried artists competing for cash prizes. Previously held at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, Fla., the anticipated annual event is moving a mile north to the recently enhanced Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. An 18 year tradition, this Northwest Florida art...

Former Red Bay resident shares family history, photos of Lost Lake

Area along the Choctawhatchee River boasts long history of outdoor recreation, logging Former Walton County resident DeWayne Ray has fond memories of fishing and hunting around the Red Bay area of Walton County. According to Ray, his ancestors the Chamberlains, Tiners and McDonalds spent time fishing and hunting at Lost Lake (now named Lost Lake at Tilley Landing) as far back as the 1830s. The family owned property where the old road began to the lake from Red Bay. “My...