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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Rare antlered doe taken in Missouri

contributed photoThis 22-pointer is a rare antlered doe.

The past year has had some interesting outdoor notables. Here are a few of those stories.

BALD EAGLES

We most recently wrote that the Pennsylvania Game Commission has once again installed an improved live Eagle Cam at a bald eagle nest site in Hanover, York County.

It is nature watching at its best. It’s a live video feed that can be enjoyed on your computer while sipping a coffee in the comforts of your home.

But if you’d like to see a bald eagle up close and personal, we’ve received reports of one frequenting the Lehigh River in the Canal Park section in Northampton. It’s mainly seen fishing for some of the trout the Lehigh River Stocking Association planted in spring. And of course suckers and sunnys or any fish it can see and catch in its talons.

It has been mostly spotted in the stretch of river near the pavilion area on Canal Street in the borough, and in the after 10 a.m. time frame. It’s been seen diving down to the water to catch a fish after which is perches on a tree on the Whitehall Township side of the river to feast on it.

22-POINT DOE

According to an article written by Wes Johnson of the Springfield (Missouri) News-Leader, Curtis Russell of Billings, MO, used a Remington 700 30.06 rifle for a 175-yard shot on a 22-point that he thought was a trophy buck. But what he discovered was that it was a doe with antlers. This is fairly rare, but does occur.

As Russell recounted the story to Johnson about how be managed to get this deer, he added that upon examining this heavy-racked whitetail, he noticed it was missing male genitalia. Plus he said, it had a petite face and a great deal of fat on its body.

Upon interviewing Emily Flynn at Missouri Department of Conservation, Johnson said she explained that each year hunters take anywhere from 250,000 to 300,000 deer in Missouri, and only a handful are antlered does.

When asked about this anomaly, Bob Danenhower of Bob’s Taxidermy in Orefield, said he’s only had two or three antlered does brought in for mounting over the past 20 years. And most were in velvet, or partial velvet.

“Some hunters often consider this type of deer a stag,” he said.

He went on to explain that this abnormality usually occurs because the animal has an imbalance of hormones, which causes high levels of male testosterone that creates antlers.

It’s a rare condition similar to black white-tailed deer.

CABELA’S IN-STORE DEMOS

Cabelas, Hamburg is hosting a January In-Store Demo Days that will kick off Jan. 2 and 3 when their Fly Shop Outfitters will conduct Fly Tying for Beginners sessions. Their experts will instruct novices and interested customers through the fly tying process, along with proper choice of hooks and fly materials. Those sessions will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

• Jan. 2 & 3: Ice Fishing Strategies - will explain ice fishing in Eastern PA and will be held in the Fishing Department with sessions at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Jan. 9 & 10: Fly Tying for Trout - Cabela’s personnel will show how to entice trophy rainbow trout and with the correct seasonal patterns to match the water and weather conditions. Sessions will be at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.

• Jan. 9 & 10: Ice Augers - Learn which auger will work best for you for ice fishing and if should be a hand, electric, gas or propane powered model. These sessions will run noon and 2 p.m.

• Jan. 16 & 17: Choosing the Right Fly Rod and Line - Fly fishing is an art of sorts so anglers must choose the proper gear otherwise fly fishing will not be fun. Sessions are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

• Jan. 23 & 24: Spring Tune Up for Your Boat/Motor - Located in the marine department, outfitters will show what boat owners need to do to keep their crafts in tiptop shape. Sessions tiptop 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

• Jan. 30 & 31: New equipment and gear will be displayed in the fishing department and will be reviewed for specific species. Sessions run 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For more information check www.cabelas/hamburg.com.