May 9, 2005

• RV fuel. Seven out of ten recreational vehicle owners say they will put more miles on their RVs this year than last year in spite of higher fuel prices. The owners also said they would take more but shorter trips. The survey of 444 RV owners was commissioned by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.
• Boating up. Boat and accessory sales increased eight percent from 2003 to 2004 with total expenditures reaching $33 billion. The National Marine Manufacturers Association said exports were up 43 percent.
• Ghost nets. Satellite photos have revealed an area of the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii where currents have concentrated a number of abandoned fishing nets, some of which are still entangling turtles and fish. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working to arrange funding for a clean-up.
• Wolves vs Dogs. Since wolves were re-introduced into the wilds of north Idaho wolf populations have increased tenfold. In March the Idaho legislature asked Congress to adjust the law so hunters can shoot wolves in order to protect their hunting dogs. Recently a hunting guide reported that wolves killed three of his valuable Walker hounds during a black bear hunt.
• PE Fitness. Current and former star athletes including Bill Russell, Steve Young, Herschel Walker, Stan Smith, and Archie and Peyton Manning went to Washington DC last week to urge legislators to restore funding in a bill for physical education in schools. They were part of “National P.E. Day” organized by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.
• PAC Fined. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a political action committee, was fined $12,000 for illegal ads and endorsements for Democratic candidates in 2000.
• S.D. Puma. A Deadwood, S.D. police officer shot video of a mountain lion walking across a city park a few hours before daylight last week. It is probably the same animal that was spotted earlier in Deadwood, according to Mayor Francis Toscana.
• Decoy Deer. Four hunters from Oregon were hunting in Idaho at night and spotlighted the biggest buck of their lives. So they shot it. Big oops. It was a decoy. Busted in Idaho, the four hunters pled guilty and paid their Idaho fines. Now Oregon, as a signatory to an 18-state compact, also may deny them a hunting license for as long as the Idaho suspensions last.
• Sock Bones. Divers are searching the waters of Whitefish Lake near Kalispell, Montana after a man reeled up a sock containing human foot bones.

The AuCoin Report is a weekly service of Bill AuCoin, St. Petersburg, Florida, specializing in Communications for the Great Outdoors. Strategically-grounded services include news releases, media relations, and client-bylined articles and columns. Email wmaucoin@verizon.net.