1) A wonderful story in the Bee today about a professional game warden who really gets it, embracing the challenge of hunting with the respect due to the prey, an ancient American tradition movingly kept alive by this warden.
Here is an excerpt.
“In order to catch a couple of poachers illegally baiting turkeys and shooting them from a tree stand, Sean Pirtle woke two hours before dawn, hiked a mile in the dark across an orchard and through the woods and then hid in the bushes…
“At 35, the 12-year veteran of the Department of Fish and Game is fast becoming a legend among his peers.
“He's known for being so dogged he simply will not relent until he nabs a suspect, whether it's someone gunning down deer for kicks, bagging too many ducks in one day, snagging salmon or, in this case, luring wild turkeys with 100 pounds of corn.
“With the opening of dove season Monday and more hunting and fishing to follow throughout the fall, Pirtle and the 179 other game wardens in California are in the busiest part of their year…
“Pirtle is part bloodhound, bulldog, scientist, problem-solver and sleuth. A lover of the outdoors, an avid hunter and a student of nature, Pirtle can't stand to see people breaking the law, taking shortcuts and, worst of all, not respecting the animals they pursue.
“Pirtle's reputation grew even larger recently when he was awarded the prestigious Pogue-Elms Award, the game warden's equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize. The award is given annually to an outstanding warden working in the western half of Canada and the United States.”
2) Sadly, another person died while swimming in the American River—as reported in the Sacramento Bee today—another tragic reminder of how dangerous that seemingly peaceful river can be.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
