Steve Merlo
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Steve Merlo: Annual Sportsman's Night banquet draws 700-plus
More than 700 people attended the 59th annual Sportsman's Night dinner and banquet last Tuesday evening, with lots of prizes, including 25 guns, given away through the various raffles and door prizes. But, on a sour note that marred an otherwise great evening of fun, two 15-foot-tall inflatable advertising displays, shaped like Budweiser beer bottles, mysteriously disappeared and need to be returned, practical joke or not, as soon as possible. The missing items are owned by Advance Beverage Co. and cost over $2,000 each. The bottles can be picked up or returned by Monday, November 23, no questions asked, prior to charges being filed with the Bakersfield Police or Kern County Sheriff's Departments. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of said displays needs to contact Jim Roberts at 661-805-5766.
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Steve merlo: Annual Sportsman's Night banquet draws 700-plus
More than 700 people attended the 59th annual Sportsman's Night dinner and banquet last Tuesday evening, with lots of prizes, including 25 guns, given away through the various raffles and door prizes. But, on a sour note that marred an otherwise great evening of fun, two 15-foot-tall inflatable advertising displays, shaped like Budweiser beer bottles, mysteriously disappeared and need to be returned, practical joke or not, as soon as possible. The missing items are owned by Advance Beverage Co. and cost over $2,000 each. The bottles can be picked up or returned by Monday, November 23, no questions asked, prior to charges being filed with the Bakersfield Police or Kern County Sheriff's Departments. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of said displays needs to contact Jim Roberts at 661-805-5766.
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Steve Merlo: Saturday looms as ultimate opportunity for bird hunters
Back in the mid 1970's on a crisp November morning during California's late upland bird season and near my hometown of Buttonwillow, I parked my old pickup truck, grabbed my Model 12 shotgun and headed for a desert catch basin about a half-mile away. There were always some small waterholes around in those days, no matter what time of year, and hunting opportunites were golden throughout the fall. Sneaking up on the pond, I surprised 50 or so tule-loafing mallards and, when the shooting was done, my wonder dog, Blue, eventually presented me with five grain-fattened greenheads.
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Steve Merlo: 'Desert dogs' out of control in city limits
The tone of voice in my wife's cellular call suggested something had gone awry while she walked our two dogs on the bike path south of Stockdale and Allen Road.
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Steve Merlo: 'Team Asserson' to be honored at annual Sportsman's event
Each October, members of the Sportsman's Night committee select a deserving individual for "Sportsman of the Year" honors based on his or her outstanding work or service within the outdoor community. While the committee has had dual or even triple single-night honorees in the past, this year's recipients are the first husband and wife team to make that special grade.
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Steve Merlo: Aqueduct fishing among many casualties of Delta Smelt issue
Open the newspaper, and all one reads about are the concerns for agricultural water delivery, especially down the concrete canal known as the California Aqueduct. Everyone knows that the canal remains the largest aorta in the state, feeding thirsty and extremely valuable San Joaquin Valley and Southland interests.
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Steve Merlo: Bakersfield women hunts huge elk at Tejon Ranch
Bakersfield's Liz Peters made the most of a recent hunting opportunity by bagging a huge 6x6 Rocky Mountain Elk on Tejon Ranch. She reportedly is the first woman to kill an elk on the ranch properties since managed elk hunting began there nearly 20 years ago. The animal sported a width of nearly 50 inches and a height of of nearly 4 feet per antler, scoring close to 340-Boone and Crockett points -- a monster in anyone's book.
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Steve Merlo: California Waterfowl Banquet features some new twists
The California Waterfowl Association will hold its 12th annual Kern County Fundraising Banquet on Oct. 15 at the local Elk Lodge Banquet Facility, 1616 30th St. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30.
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Steve Merlo: Tuna time on high seas of Central Coast
Hooking a big, hard-fighting, great-eating albacore on stand-up tackle and eventually bringing it to gaff has to be one of life's more exciting outdoor adventures. Time and time again after hooking up, line screams off the reel at an alarming pace and the rod stays doubled-over for the duration of the bout as the long-fin heads for the bottom some 1,000-feet below. Albacore are spunky, fast and powerful, and there is no doubt in my mind that each hooked tuna thinks he can make it. A freshly hooked fish reminds me of someone tying a string to the back of a car and having the driver stomp on the accelerator, necessitating an unusual maneuver called "hanging on to your fishing rod for dear life."
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Steve Merlo: Help out in the battle against anti-gun, anti-ammo legislation
A new law affecting every Calfornian regarding pistol ammunition purchases stands to put shooters' rights under seige once again. All gun owners need to immediately contact the Governor's office and highly "suggest" that he not sign any more anti-ammunition/anti-gun legislation into effect. Concerned citizens can send an e-mail to the governor's home page at www.gov.ca.gov/interact. Type your name and e-mail address, select 'gun control' under "Choose your subject," hit submit and then write your message. You can also call or send a fax to his lordship's office at 916-445-2841 or fax at 916-558-3160
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Steve Merlo: When your checklist backfires (you forgot to include 'gun' on it)
Ah, hunting season. Everyone should make a list of important things to take with them before they head out, as I do, and follow it religiously. The checklist should be prominently displayed and each item checked off before heading into the woods to do battle with whatever game the hunter opts to pursue.
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Steve Merlo: Seeking answers from the City
I've never understood why the City of Bakersfield allows bicycling on its exterior properties and swimming in all its public waters, but not bird hunting. Checking a host of national safety statistics, sport hunting lies way down on a long list of the most dangerous recreational activities, while riding a bike or swimming ranks at the top. So why are swimmers and cyclists allowed to use Bakersfield's assets and hunters are not?
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Steve Merlo: Fish and Game Commission's lead ruling good for sportsmen
Finally! The sportsmen of California have gotten a break from the continued non-scientific onslaught against their hunting heritage.
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Steve Merlo: Fishing in Alaska is affordable if you shop around
Hard economical times have even reached the northern boundaries of the U.S. My recent trip to the 49th state with three friends was exciting, rewarding and spectacular, as we had hoped, but not without its monetary challenges. Someone once said that no one should ever put a price on a good time, and for the most part, I agree. However, people planning a trip to stay and play in the Last Frontier need to be forewarned that the hidden costs will be the ones that get your attention.
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Steve Merlo: Why Americans are a different breed
The clip-clop of horse's hooves on Philadelphia cobblestone announced the last expected delegate in December of 1791. The old man inside the carriage stiffly climbed down and moved inside, removing his tri-corner hat, scarf and heavy coat. The others noticed, nodding their heads in greeting, but only one came forward.
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Steve Merlo: Father-daughter Alaskan excursion is quite a catch
The halibut, rockfish and salmon were definitely biting last week when Andy and Nicole Paulden, Steve and Megan Starbuck, Craig and Bridget Carver and Jon and Gabbie Tkac ventured north to Sitka, Alaska for four days of family bonding, relaxation and fishing.
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STEVE MERLO: Coastal deer on tap
My friend Bill Lewis and I spent an awful lot of time together while growing up in the "big city" of Buttonwillow. Much to the chagrin of our respective parents, we managed to spend most of that time away from home hunting, fishing, hiking and generally trying to stay out of trouble around the nearby arid countryside. (Notice the key word here -- trying.)
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Steve Merlo: Time to Stop Congressional Pillaging Of DFG Funds
I hate politics with a purple passion, but every once in a while, I find myself pushing for legislative changes that I think will benefit all wildlife and also outdoor-oriented people. There is now on the Sacramento table one of those rare opportunities to do exactly that, and despite the ongoing budget battle, one that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
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Steve Merlo: Local fishing outlook takes a turn for the better
Local fishing prospects look a lot better since the heat wave began two weeks ago. The spawn has ended and air temperatures above 100 degrees are forcing gamefish to seek either the protection of deeper water or, in the case of the California Aqueduct, moving waters. Despite recent court rulings regarding agricultural water flows, the concrete ditch continues to send water to the south, its computerized gates attracting bait schools, stripers and catfish to their churning waters.
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Steve Merlo: Rabbit season set to open Wednesday
With cottontail rabbit season only a few days away, a lot of folks have been writing to ask questions about the validity of chowing down on rabbits. Trust me -- they are exquisite cuisine and me and my air rifle will be out and about on the opener to bag a limit.
