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Walton County fishing and hunting report for Jan. 19

Some speckled trout and sheepshead being caught Bay: Hit and miss on catching trout.  Sheepshead being caught. Fresh: Mostly crappie along the Choctawhatchee River. Danny Copeland wants to remind folks that the resident shoreline license is free. Come on by! Click here for best times Hunting: Early signs of deer rut, but nothing much. It’s almost time. Folks are coming in and buying estrous scent. General gun season open through Feb. 20. Don’t forget you need a $5 deer license!...

Learn about coastal dune lakes at Topsail Jan 22

Learn about our rare lakes Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A. ::MAP:: Come and join an exciting interpretive on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park’s imperiled coastal dune lakes.  Learn about these important rare freshwater lakes that exist right here in Walton County.  Park at the Day-Use area off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Park at the...

American coots winter in Walton

Winter guests found on area lakes in North and South Walton Often mistaken for a duck, the American Coot (Fulica americana) is a common wintering waterbird in the Walton County area. Its all black body and white chicken-like beak distinguish this swimming member of the gruiforme family from ducks. Although it swims like a duck, the American Coot does not have webbed feet like a duck. Instead of having all the toes connected by webs, each coot toe has lobes...

Barred owl gets second lease on life

Injured bird set free after six weeks of rehabilitation One lucky barred owl got a second lease of life Dec. 31 after recovering from serious injuries. Back on November 20, 2010, the young adult owl was struck by a truck and lodged in the grill. With a broken leg, wing and cracked beak, the owl was transported to the emergency animal clinic. Lisa Miller of Wildlife Rehabilitators Partnership of Northwest Florida was contacted to care for the bird. After generously...

Learn about vultures at Topsail Jan. 15

Bald is beautiful Come and learn the facts and history of Florida vultures. Park at the Day-Use area on Hwy 30A and take a short walk with to the clubhouse. A $6.00 entrance fee per vehicle is required. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A. ::MAP:: Sat., Jan. 15  at 1:30 pm. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330 for...

Happy New Year from Walton Outdoors

May your new year be filled with prosperity and new growth About resurrection fern: Resurrection fern (Polypodium polypodioides) is an epiphyte that grows attached to branches of forest trees and sometimes upon rocks or dry ground. It is a common sight throughout Walton County and often found growing on the live oaks in our region. This fern’s long thin rhizomes grow creeping along narrow cracks or in the furrows of the host tree’s bark.  They are about 6 in. (15...