SNOWY OWL: “While hunting in the Lantz Corners area Tuesday,
though I didn’t see a buck (or a doe for that matter), I was lucky
to see a Snowy Owl light on a tree about 20 yards directly in front
of my deer stand. With my binoculars, I was able to get a good
closeup before it flew away. And me without my camera…”

We are so envious of Rick Feura who dropped us that e-line.

The Snowy Owl is uncommon this far south. Or so our birdbook
says. This absolutely gorgeous bird breeds in Alaska and
northermost Canada but does winter across continent south to
northern United States and, “irregularly farther south.” That’s
according to the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North
American Birds.

You know, there are plenty of wild animals around here, but how
often have you seen an owl? It’s rare to see any owl let alone a
Snowy Owl.

PUMA NOTES: Make a note of this: At 10 a.m. Dec. 12 on the
History Channel there will be a documentary on the existence of
black panthers across the East. That’s the word today from John A.
Lutz of Maysville, W.Va.

John writes, “There is no doubt that both mountain lions and
black panthers (aka pumas, jaguars, leopards) roam Pennsylvania and
most other eastern states. Contrary to public opinion and
scientists’ comments, large black cats called panthers have been
caught on film and videotape for years.”

He adds, “Go to our website: www.easternpumaresearch.com
to see black panther pictures.”

The Dec. 12 documentary is part of the History Channel’s Monster
Quest Series.

IN THE NEWS: Mike Price of Bradford writes: “I recently received
the December-January issue of Outdoor Life. Looking through it I
came across the familiar name of Westline. It was for
best-in-species awards for youth angler division 2007. It states
Maria King from Westline caught a three-pound 10 ounce trout to put
her name in the records. It also says she used corn for bait. So
good going for our area youth angler.”

Quite an accomplishment, we must say. Can you imagine reeling in
a trout that large? Yegods!