Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1498028
Thursday, April 27-May 3, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. It was opening day in Tennessee. The Game Commission had moved the date two weeks later than usual, and the limit had been reduced as well. But I went because I always go. I go to the place where I know I am most likely to hear a few gobblers. The commission has been correct. Once, the woods reverberated with gobbles. During the last few years, not so much. This morning was different. I arrived just before shooting light. Since I had not previously located these birds, I knew I would just wait until the fi rst tom revealed his location and try to set up as close as I could. The plan went well. The pleasant surprise was I heard multiple gobbles both near and far. As I said, I hadn't heard that in years. There were at least two toms that were together. The double gobbles have always fl ushed me with excitement. This time was no different, except I knew that sounds and proximity were no guarantee of success. I set up as close as I thought I could without being located. After all, it was beginning to break day and I knew I would never beat the ever-seeing eye of any turkey in a tree. I hunkered behind a tree-lap, leaning against a fence. It was not the most comfortable or the most advantageous, but it would have to do. Sure enough, the hoot of an owl revealed that most of the birds were now on the ground. But only most, because I began to see bird after bird fl y down from their roost into the fi eld in front of me. I waited with my gun ready. It didn't take long for a line of birds to begin to fi le out in front of me. The last were four gobblers. The last one is now in my fridge. And it all happened before 6:45 am. It was success on opening day with a 10 ½ inch beard to prove it. I love it when a good plan comes together. Oh, there's one really important detail to mention. The landowner let me know the night before where the birds had roosted. You thought it was all me because I'm the one who called, and I'm the one who pulled the trigger, and I'm the one who tagged the bird. And that's what most people would rightly think. But this doesn't happen without someone who blessed me behind the scenes. There is no doubt, over the years, any success I have had has come because of those who most of you never see, hear, or read about. They are the ones who put me in front of people by their prayers, gifts, or extra efforts. They are my behind-the- scenes friends. They may be out front in their own profession, but for me, they are the ones who make any success I may have, happen. They are part of the team I am on. And while my part within that team may be writing or speaking, there is absolutely no way I could do anything without them. I hope you understand how important you are. I hope you understand how God has gifted you and that without your gift applied to the team, the team suffers. With it, we win. Others win. God wins. And we are blessed. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 20 years. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org GARY MILLER The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public to report any sightings of nine- banded armadillos to help Commission biologists determine their range expansion in the Tar Heel state. If you observe an armadillo in the wild, please participate in the NC Armadillo project by uploading and sharing your photos or download the iNaturalist app, available for iPhone and Android. Another option for reporting an observation is by emailing armadillo@ ncwildlife.org and including: • A photo of the armadillo (if available) • When it was observed (date and time) • The location where it was observed (GPS coordinates are best, but a detailed location description is acceptable) Armadillos lack thick insulation and must dig for most foods. Freezing conditions can cause them to starve or freeze to death, so mild winter temperature conditions are ideal for them. Given that North Carolina is experiencing fewer long stretches of below-freezing weather, armadillos are expanding northward. "Whether armadillos continue spreading beyond their current range will be largely determined by climate," according to Colleen Olfenbuttel, the Commission's black bear and furbearer biologist. "The number of counties with confi rmed observations is 28, stretching from Cherokee to Dare counties. This makes it likely the armadillo is expanding its range naturally throughout North Carolina, rather than being helped by human intervention." Native to Central and South America, armadillos have gradually expanded their range into the southeastern United States. In 2007, the agency received the fi rst confi rmed sighting of a nine-banded armadillo in Macon County and in the last 16 years has received more than 898 reports in 70 counties. Learn more by reading the C o m m i s s i o n 's a r m a d i l l o species profi le, the 2022 armadillo observation report, and visiting the armadillo webpage. See an Armadillo in North Carolina? The Wildlife Commission Wants to Know Article by: ncwildlife.org. A Honor Roll 8th Grade Ash, Kaylee Ann Beam, Lainey Addison Branch, Alyssa Olivia Collins, Avery Rose Couch, Jason Lee Craig, Shyann Harrison, Austin Hunter Hill, Savannah Rachel Littlejohn, Natasha Marlie Malcolm, Jewliana Morgan Mayse, Wesley Olivia Mullinax, Preston Scott Murray, Timothy Dequan Phillips, A'Mya McKenzie Smith, Dylan Tyler Thompson, Abigail Lynn 7th Grade Berry, Alayna Joslyn Bradley, Parker Omar Castrellon-Jimenez, Nataly Gordon, Zella Marie Greene, Damien Maddox Hodge, Josiah Edward Holland, Gage Alexander Miller, Jaxen Cole Norwood, John Luke Onesto, Allison Vianney Seagle, Olivia Mason Silvers, Taylor Shae Slark, Jessie James West, Jacob Alexander Wilkins, A'mya Lapree 6th Grade Aguado, Ximena Anabel Alexander, Aubrey Rayne Arwood, Savannah Grace Barron, Jacob Lee Allen Brooks, Jasmine Leighann Butler, Kynlee Grace Cole, Iylah Grace Downey, Addison Elizabeth Fincher, Maelyn Renee Greene, Bailey Grace Greene, Kaidence Nicole King, Malley Rae Lowery, Caleb Nicholas Munoz, Maria Paz Splawn, Reagan Trinity Teague, Mackenzie Juliann Thompson, Britton Elijah Wheeler, Jasmine Nicole A/B Honor Roll 8th Grade Baccus, Jalon Nicholas Broyles, Polly Marie Burgess, AnnaLee Kristine Campbell, Parker Yelton Conner, Aireanna Faith Cortez, Alayza O'Mya Dill, Layla Jennifer Dotson, Chase Beau Elliott, Chloe Amanda Ezell, Jonah Aaron Gierum, Isabella Skye Grason, Haiden Jo Greene, Zachary Caleb Hannon, Memphis Cage Johnson, Tyrell Lamar Karp, Dylan Anthony Martin, Teri Elizabeth McDaniel, Eli Kyle McSwain, Jonas Dufay Moore, Gracey Leeann Nunez, Anjulie Marie Owens, Connor Emmerson Phillips, Erika Nicole Ruff, Marina Faith Sprouse, Hayden Allen Tatum, Magdalene Cynthia Thomas, Nathan Michael Thompson, Lukas Michael Velazquez, Kattia Wease, Madalyn Faith Wilkins, Ryan Nolan 7th Grade Adame-Sanchez, Josh Ayers, Kailynn Bailey, Zoey Jada Aynn Blackwood, Malachi Greyson Bowers, Chance Nathan Bradley, Madyson Leigh Branch, Zander Austin Byers, Jillian Paige Castellon, Genesis Curtis, Christopher James Elliott, Dylan VeSean Ezekiel, Brett Fowler, Lilly Hope Garland, Jude Samuel Godfrey, Gavin Blake Gonzalez, Valeria Hernandez Greene, Owen Ryan Hernandez, Sofi a A HernandezVargas, Stephania Houser, Canaan Keith Justice, Kinslee Rayne Ledbetter, Adelyn Faith Logan, Eric Maliek Luckadoo, Kendall Braley Melton, Autumn Grace Moss, Rhonin Kilpatrick Parker, Jewel Tiane Poulin, Olivia Paige SaucedaContreras, Sophia Sawa, Gavin Shahan, Mikaela Addison Silva, David 6th Grade Taylor, Sadie Grace Velasquez-Hernandez, Ana Cristina Wilson, Trinity Kaydance Allen, Damarkis Danta Bradley, Alexis Skye Bradley, Aliyah Jane Brooks, Ayden Cole Combs, Zaylyn GeorgiaJade Coreas, Edwin Armando Davis, Steadman Izayah Davis, Zachary Landon Eason, Elyza Mae Ellis, Elina Kay Grason, Jonalyn Risteau Green, Riley Mae Harrison, Lyric Amaria Henderson, Gavin Hernandez, Itzel Guadalupe Hollingsworth, Allie Madison Hopper, Owen McKinley Hopper, Wyatt Matthew Jimenez, Celeste Sofi a Karp, Maria Lupe Leyva, Ezekiel Dela Cruz Linder, Jamaris Caharie Melton, Madeline Marlene Messer, Luci Skylar Morgan, Logann Morrow, Weston Levi O'Kelley, Ayden Blaine Prentice, Madilynn Raine Putnam, Landon David Reep, Hayden Nolan Reid, Zachery Cole Robinson, Khilyn Obrian Romero, Apple Elizabeth Shires, Noah Milan Spencer, Andrew TorrezReithel, Pablo Antonio Vidal, Eliecerr Jr. Wall, Taylor Logan Wheeler, Makenna Alyse White, Sophia Paige Wilhoit, James Branson Williams, Brayden Stuart Zapata-Carter, Naiyeli Alexandria Chase Middle School A/B Honor Roll Article Provided By: Pam Skinner Email news and events to events@rutherfordweekly.com or go to or go to www.rutherfordweekly.com www.rutherfordweekly.com to submit online. to submit online. 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