Two Hernando Extension Agents, William Lester, and Brittany Hall-Scharf say that they find rich rewards in their extensive environmental studies, projects, and accomplishments. And now, both have received additional rewards, in the form of highly competitive Professional Enhancement Awards at the University of Florida.
In the coming weeks, a giant shift will occur in the deer world. Both food, and cover, will be changing which will surely affect the feeding and travel patterns amongst the herd. Mostly though, amongst the buck population, physical changes are taking place. The velvet they’ve worn, covering their antlers is now shed out and each buck is sporting brand spanking new antlers. Along with that change, a major shift takes place in how these newly shed bucks interact with other deer.
In 1990, Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson co-founded American Tortoise Rescue located in Malibu California. They also created World Turtle Day as a way to bring awareness to the public about turtles and tortoises. Turtle Day was celebrated last week on May 23.
“I have always been an animal person and always had a strong love for animals,” Tellem said.
Hernando County has amazing wildlife, and our previous article, “Manatees of Hernando County” was a way to introduce residents to understand the species that thrive in our county and how to bolster their survival.
During this hardship we all are enduring, there is one similarity we now have with the gopher tortoise, and that is they spend most of their time in their burrows. Let us take this time to appreciate one reptile that is a valued species for our ecosystems and an animal we can, in a way, relate too.
Fun facts:
Important information the community needs to know
Brooksville, Fla. -- Just as you think dealing with the coronavirus was bad enough, another major threat is bearing down… wildfires.
Florida’s winter season begins in November, and when the water temperatures change, manatees instinctively travel closer, hugging the coastlines of Florida’s warmer waters. In Hernando County, some manatees migrate to areas along the Weeki Wachee River. The inlets like Mud River and Jenkins Creek the water temperature is steady at 72–74 °F, a perfect place for a manatee’s winter retreat.
This past weekend I was honored with an invitation to carry a special young man to hunt his first hog on a beautiful ranch near Polk City, Fl. Thirteen-year-old, Hunter Geer is new to the hunt although he did find success on his first whitetail this past November. But, when I extended the invitation to hunt hogs, he didn’t hesitate. Naturally, I had checked with his parents ahead of time and was mighty tickled to have the chance to get the little man back in the woods.
During the mid-1930s to 1940s, poisonous cane toads were introduced into Florida to control agricultural pests found in sugar cane fields. Their ravenous appetites and large mouths were attributes thought to be ideal for pest management. However, it is believed this round of released toads did not survive.
by TOBY BENOIT
During our last trip to the Everglades, my best hunting buddy, Meghan Bailes and I joined The Wildman, Dusty Crum, his long-time girlfriend Natalee Mckinney and fellow member of the South Florida Water Management District’s, Python Eradication Team, Greg Morris, for a night’s hunt, searching for wild Burmese pythons. I had the pleasure of interviewing them about the plight of the Everglades and it’s native wildlife.
