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Drought-fueled bear attack ends in euthanization near South Platte
2 days ago•Source: The Colorado Sun
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5.05 min•2 days ago
Massachusetts anglers haul 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin, near world record
Two Massachusetts fishermen aboard the Castafari battled a 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin off Cape Cod for about three hours, initially mistaking it for a shark. The fish weighed 1,260 pounds on an IGFA-certified scale in Falmouth, likely a Massachusetts state record and among the largest Atlantic blue marlins caught off the East Coast, approaching the world record of 1,402 pounds. Scientists estimate the fish at 25–30 years old, and the meat will be shared among about a dozen people.
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Wyoming Rancher Frees Elk Calf From Barbed Wire
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Slack Elimination Reworks CFD Rodeo, Riders Say
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NC Sets August Antlered Deer Special in 7 Counties
NCWRC will hold a two-day Special Early Season for antlered deer on Aug. 22–23, 2026 in seven NC counties within CWD Management Areas (Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin). Any legal weapon is allowed, but baiting remains prohibited before Sept. 1. In the Northwestern CWD Area, blackpowder and gun seasons start a week earlier. The agency also updated statewide deer carcass disposal rules to reduce CWD spread and opened applications (July 1) for additional CWDMAP tags on private property, with regulations published in the Aug. 1 Regulations Digest.
A $380 foldable kayak that fits a Prius and kicks off on the water in 10 minutes
A reader-style review of the Tucktec 10 Pro foldable kayak ($380) praising its portability and quick setup: when folded it’s 48x14x8 inches and weighs about 24 lb, allowing two pieces to fit in a Prius hatchback. It unfolds into a 10 ft, stable craft in roughly 10 minutes with a skeg and new rigid poles for back support and improved paddling efficiency. It offers more straightforward storage and setup than inflatables and is cheaper than folding rivals, but the open cockpit can get wet and the foam seat can become hard over long trips. Not meant for speed or whitewater—best for easy, spontaneous water outings with gear storage.}
Yellowstone Blast Carves 20-Foot Boiling-Water Crater
An explosion at Yellowstone National Park carved a 20-foot crater filled with boiling water, underscoring the ongoing geothermal activity in the park.
Blade Show Debuts: 11 Fresh EDC Knives and Gear You May Have Missed
Blade Show Atlanta unleashed a wave of new pocket knives, multi-tools and EDC gear, led by Zero Tolerance 0020 as the American-Made Folding Knife of the Year. The roundup spans offerings from Kizer, New West KnifeWorks, Böker, WESN, Titaner, Saegusa Design and Kansept, including the hawkbill Feist 3, MagnaCut Timberline SureGrip, 1969 Z28-Damast Shadow, a modular Titaner NFC belt buckle, and an AirTag carabiner, with prices from budget to premium.
Old-School Climber Pushes Back on Snake Dike Bolting Surge
Eric Beck, a member of the 1965 Snake Dike first ascent on Half Dome, pushes back on the recent wave of retrobolting by Eric Sloan, arguing that the route’s protection was intentionally minimal; Sloan reportedly added about 13 bolts across pitches 1–3, far more than the original two protection bolts and a mid‑way anchor, prompting Beck to warn that the changes may exceed the route’s historical intent and that any bolt removal should be done by someone skilled at rock repair.
Switchbacks Explain Why East Coast Trails Feel Harder Than West Coast Counterparts
The article argues East Coast hikes are typically tougher than West Coast routes largely because East Coast trails lack switchbacks, resulting in steeper climbs, whereas West Coast paths—designed in part for pack animals—use switchbacks to ease ascent. It highlights brutal East Coast sections like Devil’s Path (Catskills), Presidential Traverse (White Mountains), and Precipice Trail (Acadia) and contrasts them with gradual climbs on Mount Whitney and the Pacific Crest Trail. Anecdotes from hikers and thru-hikers are cited to support the view that AT climbs can be more physically demanding per mile, though overall difficulty varies by trail. The takeaway is that switchbacks are a key factor in perceived difficulty, and the best way to know which coast is harder is to hike both.
Rediscovered Waterfall Triggers a Half-Century Memory Lane in Santa Barbara’s San Rafael Wilderness
Dan McCaslin takes a spring ramble along Manzana Creek in the San Rafael Wilderness, revisiting Davy Brown Camp and hiking to Lost Valley Camp via Nira Trailhead, where he uncovers a mini-waterfall he hadn’t noticed in about 50 years. The hike blends dirt camping memories, fire regulations, and seasonal water conditions with practical driving directions and reflections on the area’s history and natural beauty.
Mild Winter Spurs Tick Surge: Precautions for Outdoors
A mild Utah/Idaho winter has boosted tick populations, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Health experts urge precautions when outdoors: use EPA-approved DEET repellent (20%+), wear light-colored long sleeves and closed shoes, avoid tall grasses, and perform thorough tick checks on people, pets, and clothing. To reduce tick activity around homes, maintain lawns, trim vegetation, remove leaf litter, create a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel around play areas, and deter wildlife. If a tick is found, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, avoiding the mouthparts, and seek medical care if part remains embedded or symptoms appear. As warmer weather arrives, tick activity is expected to rise; for more guidance, consult the University of Idaho extension in Bannock County.
13 Fresh Pocket Knives and EDC Gear Debut Across Brand Lineups
Gear Patrol’s feature rounds up 13 new pocket knives, multi-tools, and EDC items from Civivi, Montana Knife Company, Buck, Liong Mah Design, CRKT, Tecovas, Böker, Finch Knife Co. and Knafs, mixing premium releases (M390, MagnaCut, 14C28N) with inventive designs like Montana Knife Company’s first folding knife and new clip/pivot mechanisms, alongside budget-friendly options, showcasing a broad range of styles, materials, and deployment options.
Yeti's Trailhead Field Chair Dials Down Weight and Price
Yeti unveils the Trailhead Field Chair, a lighter (about 9.3 lb vs 13.3 lb), cheaper ($225 vs $300) version of its Trailhead Camp Chair that drops armrests, uses Twilite fabric, and supports up to 350 lb; it folds to 37 inches, comes in black or tan with a carry bag, lacks a cup holder (but a $20 add-on is available).