Record #:

43201

Author(s):

Katherine Etchison

Abstract:

In the article the authors recounts the journey it took them to get into bat biology. The author recounts that as a child their dream career was to be an Olympic swimmer but in college when they were asked to choose a major they chose biology. The author talks about they were never the kind of kid that played in the woods or wildlife but came from a suburban life style. They talk about their interest in bat biology was inspired by their mentor from their junior named Dottie Brown when they were attending UNC Ashville. They talk about their time spent in the winter exploring caves to count hibernating bats and during the summer catching and recording bat calls.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p5-6 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Bats--Research; Bats--North Carolina, Western; Bats--Roosting areas

Record #:

43202

Author(s):

Hannah Shively

Abstract:

In this article the author discusses what got him interested in being a wildlife law enforcement officer. The author list the many different cases you can encounter as a wildlife law enforcement officer which are removing a bobcat from the front of a Cadillac, investigating a flock of geese, providing support for a propeller injury, confiscating a trunk full of illegally caught fish, and transporting venomous snakes. The author talks about have a love for the wildlife from a young age because of their grandparents taking them on weekend long camping trips and how these experiences helped them a lot in their career to this day. They also wanted to follow their father footsteps into law enforcement. Lastly, the author discusses how being a wildlife enforcement officer is a fulling job and you never know what adventure it might end you on next.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p6-7 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife; Law enforcement officers; Wildlife Law Enforcement

Record #:

43203

Author(s):

Colleen Olfenbuttel

Abstract:

In this article the author discusses their work as black bear and furbearer biologist. A furbearer is any mammal that is known for fur harvesting and in North Carolina this includes 18 different wildlife species. These species include both aquatic and terrestrial animals which examples of are bobcats, raccoons, otters, beavers, nine-banded armadillo, and the eastern spotted skunk. The author states that his line of work came bring them to the coastal plains one week and the mountains the next. The relationship between the biologist and local hunters and trappers is very important because it is the locals that provide information, data, samples, and help by submitting surveys. This career choice was not easy for the author in the beginning because they did not have many female role models in the field and people were skeptical that a woman could work in their line of profession. Lastly, the author states that the profession has changed a lot of the past 20 years and this has led to more respect for women working in this field.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p7-8 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife--North Carolina; Black bear; Biologists; Women in the professions; Women

Record #:

43204

Author(s):

Sara Schweitzer

Abstract:

In the beginning of the article the author talks about how women fall through the cracks in the STEM field. They give the analogy of women falling through the leaks in a pipe in which they leave the field but they then state that they are not a path, pipe, or road but a complex system. They talk about gaining an interest in wildlife from visiting natural resource centers in Charlotte and growing up watching “ Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.” The author states that their interests growing up included exploring, fishing, riding ponies, and fox hunting. The school subjects the author excelled in during school was biology, chemistry, physics and math. The author got their undergraduate degree in biology from UNC Chapel Hill and worked mostly in genetics and botany labs. The author talks about in 2018 that they got the position of assistant chief of the Wildlife Diversity Program in the Wildlife Management Division.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p8-9 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Women; Women--North Carolina; STEM education ; Wildlife; Wildlife management; Wildlife diversity; Wildlife Education

Record #:

43205

Author(s):

Jack Horan

Abstract:

In this article the author discusses the accomplishment of Ray Sugg fly fishing in 1,000 streams in North Carolina. At the age of 59 Ray Sugg have achieved his goal of fly fishing in 1,000 streams in North Carolina and this whole journey took him roughly 43 years. Ray discusses that he was inspired to start this journey when learning that Bobby Kilby had achieved the very same goal. Ray Sugg started this journey when he was in high school and he only had a nine dollar K-mart fly rod. Ray Sugg is a high school civics teacher and is also a soccer coach. The author then goes on to talk about three stories titled Best Days, Favorite Streams, and Accessing Streams that are related to Ray Sugg.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p10-11 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife--North Carolina; Wildlife; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Fish species--North Carolina; Fish

Record #:

43206

Author(s):

Josh Leventhal

Abstract:

The author discusses the reintroduction of 52 Manitoban Elk in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as a means to reestablish elf populations in the area that have not been around for the past 200 years. This was an experimental program to see if the area can sustain an elk population. This experiment was deemed a success when the elk populations began to increase and started moving outside Great Smoky Mountain National Park lands and the Creation of the William H. Silver Game Land. The William H. Silver Game Land consists of 2,030 acres that borders the national park and the herd are watched over by the Commission, National Park Service, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In the beginning stages of the experiment there was a concern of black bears eating the newly born calves but over time the female elks learned to give birth up higher in the mountains to protect from black bear attacks. National Park Services looks after the herd within the park. The commission and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians looks over the herd that fall outside of the national park.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p13-15 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; Wildlife Education; Wildlife conservation programs; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Elk

Record #:

43207

Author(s):

Henry Veggian

Abstract:

This article is discussing the Bowfin fish and how it feel to try and catch one as well as some of its history. The author discussed that many articles and publications that involve the Bowfin consider it too be a “trash fish.” The author discusses that the Bowfin had survived the time of dinosaurs and also the rise of mammals and human fishermen. The author relates to the fish’s survival to the recent pandemic that has been present in the world. The author then goes on to talk about how trying to reel in a Bowfin feels like trying to reel in a tuna because of their strength and never ending fight to not be caught. Lastly, the author discusses that the Bowfin differ from many other freshwater fish in that it can survive being out of the water longer, the bine plate of its jaw is different, and that it has no scales on its head.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p17-18 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife--North Carolina; Fish; Fishing catches; Fishing; Fishing tournaments; Bowfin

Record #:

43208

Author(s):

Henry Veggian

Abstract:

In this article the author is discussing his reputation of being called the “bowfin guy.” He discusses that in 2007 he had submitted his first of six different applications to the North Carolina Angler Recognition Program and in the end he was recognized as a “Master Angler.” In 2014 he was contacted by a TV producer for a reality TV show and later on he was awarded a grant to finish a book he was working on. In an attempt to be able to travel to other places to catch bowfin fish he used tournament fishing under the guise of research. The author considered this to be a failure because he spent the last three years traveling North Carolina but had not won any money from said completions. This lead to the author putting in more work during the years of 2016 and 2020 by going to tournaments in Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana and Arkansas. Through these competitions he was able to fund his “foolish idea.” The author talks about how in these other states he did not catch one Bowfin like he would have while in North Carolina. During the year of 2020 the author said that they were in a state of “panic” and “stubborn denial.” During this time he did not go to any out-of-state event but made the one exception for the KBF National Championship. The last part of the article the author discusses that he had finally caught a Tennessee River Bowfin which was the first he had caught while being outside of North Carolina.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p18-19 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife Education; Wildlife--North Carolina; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Fishing; Fishing catches; Bowfin

Record #:

43213

Author(s):

Henry Veggian

Abstract:

In this article the author is discussing the lack of research and conservationist efforts towards the Bowfin fish. The author talks about how other fish species like the Red Drum have protect waterways and is recognized but these same practices are used when it comes to the Bowfin fish. The author states that there is research going into it scales, bone structure, and muscle structure but there is no research on how or where it lives. The author speaks about one weird instance he saw when fishing that relates to the Bowfin. The author states that he saw what looked like Bowfin and Bass corroborating when trying to catch bait fish which is not heard of in the literature.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p19-20 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; Wildlife--North Carolina; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife Education; Fish; Fish culture; Fishing; Fish species--North Carolina; Fishing catches

Record #:

43215

Author(s):

Henry Veggian

Abstract:

In this article the author discusses setting up restoration of native vegetation and the building of new fish habitats in Shearon Harris. These talks were brought up during the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission meetings. The author discusses that he also had another reason for the restoration to occur which was that in the restoration of Bass habitats it will also help rebuild the onshore habitats for the Bowfin. The talk for restoration was discussed after the damage that occurred after Hurricane Mathew hit the coast of North Carolina. The author states that locals talk about how Shearon Harris is not what it used to be but the author asks what Harris will be like in the years to come. The author discusses that the vegetation restoration will bring the Bowfin and Bass back from off-shore because they use the vegetation for nesting grounds. The author says that some fisherman will be disappointed to find a bowfin at the end of their line or that they will check their North Carolina Sportfish Identification Pocket Guide and see that it is listed as a sport fish. Many state that the Bowfin does not put up much of a fight to be considered a sport fish but the author says they can list many publications that will attest to their ferocity. Even though the Bowfin is listed as a sport fish it does not have the same protections that other fish have on the same list. The author states that you can catch and kill as many Bowfin as you want unlike other fish. Lastly, the author states that there needs to be more education on this North Carolina fish because after returning to many of the places he use to fish he would find the dead bodies of many Bowfin on the shore.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p20-21 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program; Wildlife Education; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife--North Carolina; Fish; Fish culture; Fishing; Fishing catches; Fishing conservation

Record #:

43234

Author(s):

Melissa McGaw

Abstract:

In this article the author is discussing her 30 year long career as a photographer for the N.C Wildlife and Resources Commission. The author discusses the many places their career has taken them in North Carolina. As a Wildlife Resources Commission photographer the author has visited certain sites multiple times to on once and they have had to visit farms, shaded streams, mountain bogs, mines, caves, lakes, and game lands. Some days the author would have to travel from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina. The author says that the best time to take pictures is early morning to when the sun is setting because of the lighting.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p23-24 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife artists; Wildlife photography; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife--North Carolina

Record #:

43235

Author(s):

Melissa McGaw

Abstract:

This article is discussing how the author got into photography and who inspired them to do so. The author discusses that their love of nature had come from their mother who was an artist. The author says they studied fiddle crabs and searched the beach for shells when they went with their mother. The author’s first experience with photography was when their grandmother gave them a Kodak instamatic camera after some talk with their mother. The author pursued a degree in photography in college and started their career as helping an advertising photographer. The author found that advertisement photography was not their passion and their mother helped introduce them to a friend that knew the photographer for the Wildlife in North Carolina Magazine. The author said after beginning this new careers they found their passion in wildlife photography and their experience in commercial photography helped them climb the latter in their field.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p24-26 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; Wildlife artists; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife photography; Wildlife--North Carolina; Photography

Record #:

43237

Author(s):

Melissa McGaw

Abstract:

In this article the author talks about how there is always something to do when it comes to office work but the time that they enjoyed the most was working out in the field as a photographer. The author states that their job is to photograph the many different subjects and assignments that are in the Wildlife in North Carolina magazine. The author states that these assignments have taken them to many different locations in North Carolina. The different assignments the author has worked on consisted of photographing black bear research projects and the Northern flying squirrel surveys. The author also states that they have worked with many different people in front of their lens, peers helping with taking photograph, and an integration of both. The final statement the author leaves us with is that a picture is not just worth a thousand words but also can show a wonderful career.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p28 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife photography; Photography

Record #:

43243

Author(s):

Todd Pusser

Abstract:

In this article the author discusses the rare times they have seen a mink in an urban environment. In the beginning of the article the author discusses a time when they were waiting for the appearance of a mink at the harbor of downtown Norfolk, North Carolina. The author describes their first time spotting a mink in an urban setting was when they were showing a friend and their family Norfolk. The author describes that their friend’s daughter spotted a crowd photographing a pair of mink pubs playing around. The author later describes that they rarely get the chance to see minks in the wild and stated the oddity of seeing them in an urban setting. Lastly the author discusses that during the winter months they would look out for the create and would see the mother mink popping in and out of holes in the rocks foraging for her pups.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p31-32 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife photography; Wildlife--North Carolina; Wildlife introduction

Record #:

43249

Author(s):

Todd Pusser

Abstract:

In the article the author discusses the other North Carolina aquatic carnivore which is the River Otter which can be found in the sand hills of North Carolina. The author states that they set up a game camera near a beaver pond to capture picture and videos of the Otter population in the area. The pond the author was refereeing to was located off their late grandmother’s farm and the beavers had created an aquatic oasis for animals like wood ducks, turtles, and fish. The author states that they came across an otter latrine which was filled with fish bone and scales. The author states the purpose of an otter latrine is a social hub for otters and it allows for them to know who is nearby and who has had babies and who is ready to have babies. The author set up the game camera pointing towards the otter latrine in hopes to capture pictures and videos of the local otters. The author stated that they visited the location over the next couple months and the game camera had captured hundreds of pictures and videos. The main otter the camera captured was seen to be a male and he would visit the latrine at all hours of the day. The author theorized that the male otter was doing this behavior to possibly advertise his availability to possible females in the area.

Source:

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 85 Issue 6, November-December 2021, p33 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Wildlife; WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA (Magazine); Wildlife introduction; Wildlife photography; Otters