Georgia, the land of the free, where you can now legally fish with your fingers

The practice of "noodling," or fishing using just one's fingers, is now legal in Georgia with a new state law that took effect with the start of the new fiscal year July 1, the Macon Telegraph reports.

Timber industry statewide devalued as land values rise

... Due to development, which there's not all that much of in our area. But elsewhere in the state, apparently it's a big deal, the Journal-Constitution reported.

Yet another bear ... this one in Columbia County

This one wasn't caught Friday, The Augusta Chronicle says. That's three in the space of about two weeks. Read some advice on what to do if you see a bear on the Web site of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Jefferson Co authorities bust alleged dog fighters

"The people who do this are from all walks of life," a veterinarian for the U.S. Deparment of Agriculture told the News and Farmer. "These aren't just your ordinary rednecks. There are doctors and lawyers who spend big money on their dogs."

From the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Web site, http://www.agr.state.ga.us/html/animalprotfaq.html:

I think my neighbors are dog fighting. Is this legal in Georgia?
Dog fighting and cock fighting are illegal and considered animal cruelty in the state of Georgia: Dog Fighting: A person commits the offense of dog fighting when he/she causes or allows a dog to fight another dog for sport or gaming purposes or maintains or operates any event at which dogs are allowed or encouraged to fight one another. O.C.G.A. §16-12-37

Cock Fighting (not legally defined): A person commits the offense
of chicken fighting when he/she causes or allows a chicken to fight another chicken for sport or gaming purposes or maintains or operates any event at which chickens are allowed or encouraged to fight one another.
*Dog fighting and cock fighting information should be reported to the local Animal Control or Sheriffs Department.

Speaking of cockfighting, someone in Mitchell is advertising roosters for sale in a cockfighting magazine I saw yesterday.

Another bear on the loose: This time in Louisville

It's the second case in a couple of weeks now. The last one was in Sandersville (see previous post here). This story from the News and Farmer.

Warren County's Hank Crumpton nominated for counterterrorism post

Hank Crumpton, an official with the CIA and son of Dan and Charlene Crumpton, has been nominated for counterterrorism coordinator for the State Department. His wife initially didn't believe it, his mother tells The McDuffie Mirror. I have a photo somewhere of him on the softball team with my dad for First Baptist Church of Warrenton. He's mentioned in this Washington Post story.

Honk if you can count geese

It's a goose roundup in Greene County. Wildlife workers are doing a goose census.