Nature Coast

Around the bay

By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 3, 2007

Grab your Ammo of choice

The West Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America will hold its third annual Sand Hill Turkey Shoot on Saturday at 11210 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville. The competition begins at 8 a.m. The cost is $125 for skeet and trap, $25 for rifle and $25 for archery. Each shooter receives ammunition, a hat and lunch. Archers must bring their own bows and arrows with field tips. Prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top skeet and trap shooters. For information, call (727) 391-3800 or go to www.wcfcbsa.org.

Seatrout restrictions vary

A reminder that the spotted seatrout season is closed in Gulf waters from Pinellas County southward, but it is open in waters off Pasco and Hernando Counties. The seatrout season in Pasco and Hernando closes in February. Regulations are no less than 15 inches and no more than 20 inches, except for one fish over 20 inches per person. The limit is five per person, per day.

Fido packs heat

A pheasant hunter in Des Moines, Iowa, is recovering from wounds after being shot in the calf by his dog. James Harris, 37, was with a hunting group when he shot a pheasant and was jumping over a fence to retrieve it. As he crossed the fence, his hunting dog allegedly "stepped" on the gun, which sent about 100-120 pellets into his leg from 3 feet away.

No one else was hurt in the incident and officials said no citations have been issued. Don't be surprised if some ambitious (and desperate) lawyer looks deeper into this case. Did the dog have an axe to grind with his owner? Does the dog have a history of violence? A hunter and his dog go into the woods and the hunter comes back shot? Sounds awfully suspicious.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 21:24:26]