Outdoor News Roundup: CSI New Mexico, a Congresswoman's Stolen AR and PETA Hates the Duckmen

From solving dead elk mysteries to talking smack about the Duck Commanders to closing the wolf season early in Wisconsin to leaving an AR unsecured, this has been an interesting week of outdoor news.

Mystery of the dead elk cleared up

According to CSI conducted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDG&F), a toxic algae bloom killed more than 100 elk discovered Aug. 27 in northeastern New Mexico. We reported on this oddity last in September, and at the time, the NMDG&F had begun a series of tests to rule out anthrax, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, botulism, lighting strike, poaching, poisonous plants, malicious poisoning, toxic levels of sulfate and nitrate, an industrial or agricultural accident and the algae problem.

According to an Oct. 22 press release, the elk drank from a trough on private land containing blue-green algae toxins. Because the elk showed signs of struggling, and all died about the same time, the NMGFD suspected poisoning of some type. The elk die-off has not affected hunting in that area.

Here's a shocker: PETA doesn't appreciate the Duck Commanders

On Oct. 23, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) posted this unbelievable news: PETA Slams Duck Dynasty Stars for Popularizing Hunting. In a news release, USSA quoted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal's (PETA's) Vice President, Dan Matthews: Unfortunately hunting programs teach kids that violence is somehow acceptable. According to law-enforcement agencies, violent and aggressive criminals often start out as kids who were encouraged to disrespect and harm animals rather than understanding and being in awe of them. Matthews also stated that hunting licenses had plummeted in the last two decades, because most people have a reverence for animals. PETA has railed against the Duck Commanders in the past, and we're sure this won't be the end of their disapproving diatribes on anti-hunting.

The USSA called PETA out on its false statements, since research reveals that approximately 79 percent of the public approves of hunting and hunting license sales have not decreased.

Wolf quota nearly filled in certain Wisconsin zones

On Oct. 29, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it would close hunting and trapping wolves in Harvest Zone 1, located in the northwestern part of the state, on Wed., Oct. 30. It will be the second zone closed this season because the harvest quotas are being met (the quota was set at 76 wolves for Zone 1, and 72 had been taken just prior to the 30th). Wolf Zone 2 closed On Oct. 23. Currently, Zones 3 through 6 are still open. According to the DNR, the goal is to take 251 wolves across the state.

Whoops - lock up your hunting guns

North Carolina Congresswoman Renee Ellmers is embarrassed, but she she also is upset that her husband and son left an AR-15 in an unlocked garage on Oct. 16. According to a blurb in Cosmopolitan, the family keeps a gunsafe in the garage, but neither of the guys placed the gun in it before retiring for the evening. The thief also stole a case and GPS unit. Ellmers is a huge Second Amendment proponent and gets a great rating from the National Rifle Association.

Sure, this made Cosmo's conversation starters section, but it should be a reminder to all of us who hunt to secure our firearms, bows, spears, knives and anything else that we value for hunting, but especially do not want to fall into the wrong hands.