Pete Thomas Outdoors

Giant mako shark (917 pounds) caught off Orange County

For Craig Winters and Brian Cope, the highlight of a recent shark-fishing expedition off Southern California was the capture of a few small blue sharks and a close encounter with a great white shark.

That is, until a giant mako shark swooped in and grabbed the bait attached to Winters' hook.

So began an epic fight, during which Winters was nearly pulled overboard as the great predator fled toward the horizon, then leapt once in the distance. It sounded deeply for an extended period then leapt again just before the struggle concluded—four long hours after the hookup.

"I'll tell you, for a 53-year-old that was a real chore," said Winters, who was visiting from Albany, Texas.

Winters and Cope fished for three days on a 37-foot yacht out of Mako Matt's Marine in Huntington Beach. They were chumming off South Orange County.

Cope had caught a couple of small blue sharks and during one of the days a huge great white shark followed their chum line  to the corner of their stern.

"Matt told me how privileged we were because there are only about 6,000 of these sharks in the world," Winter said. "But on the flip side, we're not going to see any other sharks as long as he was here."

Great white sharks are protected off California. Winters had come specifically to target large makos, and the group almost passed on an estimated 400-pounder but eventually tried to bait the smaller mako.

"We were going to hook the 400-pounder but then the big one came in and just took it," Winters said. I don't even know where he came from. He just took it, and went."

The shark was too heavy to be hauled onto the boat so it was towed back to port and weighed late Wednesday night on a certified scale at a Los Angeles meat processing plant.

Winters will keep the jaws but he left the meat with the plant, to be donated to local homeless shelters.

At 917 pounds, it's one of the largest makos ever caught and far heavier than the 200- to 300-pound average, but well shy of the world record: a 1,221-pound mako caught off Chatham, Mass., in 2001.

It's one of three giant makos to have been caught off Southern California, and the catch comes just before the beginning of the last major beach weekend of the summer.

--Image showing Craig Winters with the 917-pound shark is courtesy of Winters

Legal to use crossbow when hunting wild pigs?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly California Outdoors Q&A column:

Question: There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding crossbow hunting in California. Are they legal for archery season? Some say only for handicapped hunters. Some say they are totally illegal for any game hunting whatsoever.

I know they are not considered archery equipment and therefore are not legal in place of a traditional bow during archery season. Does that include handicapped hunters? This leads me to believe they are legal for hunting during rifle season and can be used by all properly permitted hunters year-round for hogs as well as for turkey (in season) in cases where a shotgun would be legal.

What’s the minimum required bolt weight, fps or foot pounds of energy required for game hunting? I also see there are restrictions on broadheads. Could you please clarify those restrictions? Are those 4 inch wide bladed broadheads legal for turkeys? How about ducks?

I am actually looking to hunt feral hogs and turkey with a crossbow and want to be 100 percent legal. Can I hunt hogs with a crossbow during deer-archery season? Is it legal to carry a backup pistol while hunting with a crossbow? I am not handicapped, but my dad is. What rules apply to handicapped hunters with crossbows and what disability is required? (Mark, San Bruno)

Answer: You are correct that crossbows are not considered "archery" equipment in California hunting regulations, and they may not be used to take game birds and game mammals during archery-only seasons (see California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 354(g)). But, there is an exception for holders of a Disabled Archer Permit. Regulation CCR Title 14, section 354(j) sets forth the process of obtaining a Disabled Archer Permit by a person with a disease or disorder affecting the hunter’s ability to draw and hold a bow in a firing position. This permit authorizes disabled archers to use a crossbow or device that holds a string and arrow in the firing position to assist in the taking of birds and mammals under the conditions of an archery tag or during archery season.

Crossbows are included as a legal method of take for turkeys (CCR Title 14, section 311(n)) and wild pigs (CCR Title 14, section 353(e)). Persons using a crossbow for taking big game species must use broadhead-type blades that can not pass through a hole 7/8 inches in diameter (e.g. the blade must be larger than 7/8 inches.) This minimum size requirement also applies to crossbow bolts when used for taking big game mammals. For additional requirements for taking pheasants and Migratory Game Birds, please review CCR Title 14, sections 354(d) through (g) and 354(i).

Wardens seek help finding dangerous Susanville poacher

A dangerous poacher is on the loose in the Northern California city of Susanville.

The state Department of Fish and Game is requesting public help in finding a deer poacher who has killed four large bucks during the past three weeks. Three of the bucks were shot within city limits, making this a very dangerous situation.

"These poachers have shown total disregard for public safety by shooting deadly weapons in residential areas and within the city limits," Nick Buckler, a DFG warden from Lassen County, said in a news release. "Almost as disturbing is the lack of respect for Lassen County’s wildlife, especially our famous trophy bucks."

All of the bucks, the news release states, were shot within 50 yards of houses. They were shot with either bows or crossbows and left for dead. The most recent was Monday in the area of North Gilman Street in Susanville.

Susanville residents with information that could help identify the poachers are asked to call the DFG's CalTip hotline at (888) 334-2258. Callers can remain anonymous and information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poacher or poachers is eligible for a reward up to $1,000, plus another $250 reward donated by the Susanville Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation.

For more information, see the DFG news release.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area slated to open Nov. 8

Mammoth Mountain will open for skiing and snowboarding Nov. 8, according to an announcement on the resort website.

"Dust off your skis and snowboards, the chairlifts start running November 8 and the snow festivities are waiting for you!" the announcement reads.

However, at the bottom is this disclaimer: "Weather and conditions permitting."

Most North America resorts open during or soon after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Mammoth Mountain, located in the Eastern Sierra town of Mammoth Lakes, will rely on snowmaking capabilities and the staff is hoping for an early start to winter. Mammoth and city officials are hoping for a big snow season, following a very poor season during which 75 full-time resort employees were laid off.

Earlier this summer it was announced that June Mountain, Mammoth's sister resort located about 40 miles north along U.S. 395, would not open for the 2012-13 season, because of financial reasons.

-- Image courtesy of Peter Morning

-- Hat tip to Boardistan

Baby great white shark thrills Newport Beach whale watchers

 

Passengers aboard the Ocean Explorer on Tuesday were scouting for whales when they encountered a baby great white shark less than a mile off Newport Beach.

"I almost damn-near ran the thing over," said Capt. Larry Hartman, who relinquished the helm to Capt. Kyle Brown so he could videotape the shark.

The Ocean Explorer runs from Newport Landing and the rare sighting was made during the 3:30 p.m. run a mile to the south, about three-quarters of a mile offshore.

The shark measured 5-6 feet, baby-size, and Hartman said a 15-foot white shark  was spotted the previous day in the same general area, by the captain of a fishing boat.

Hartman said the  white shark seemed curious about the boat, and even rode in the vessel's bow wake. "It hung out with us for about 20 minutes," Hartman said. "The passengers were freaking out."

Though young white sharks utilize Southern California coastal waters as a nursery, feeding on small fishes, rays and smaller sharks, very few are spotted.

"I've only seen one other great white in my life," Hartman said.

'High-fiving' humpback whale thrills boaters off Dana Point

 

As amazing as it may be to have gargantuan blue whales feeding off Southern California this summer, they are not nearly as flamboyant as humpback whales.

So when an especially active humpback made a rare but emphatic appearance Monday off Dana Point, and began lifting and slapping its tail fluke on the water, passengers seemed to forget all about the endangered blue whales.

The top video is courtesy of Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari, which was thankful for receiving "a big high-five" from the whale. The bottom clip is from Dana Wharf Whale Watch.

These are competing landings, which often encounter the same whales.

Humpback whales, while common off Santa Barbara and Monterey, are infrequent visitors to Orange County waters. But as shown here, even one humpback can make for a very special whale-watching experience.

  

Alexander Polli's 'Reality of Human Flight' an amazing journey

 

Alexander Polli has transformed the incredibly dangerous sport of wingsuit flying into an art form, as viewers of the accompanying video might attest.

This is due to fixed video cameras such as the GoPro, of course, but it's also because daredevils such as Polli, a professional skydiver and wingsuit pilot, have developed the gear and skills to elevate human flying to daunting new heights.

The video shows Polli proximity flying amid stunning landscapes in New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway, while wearing a wingsuit and tracking gear.  The video is nearly 5 minutes long and worth the time, but viewers ought to stay at least through the 1:40 mark, when Polli glides through a cascading waterfall.

The wingsuit portions are easily identifiable. The tracking suit is, essentially, is a customized jacket and pants that inflate with more air as a person gains more speed. The latter is beyond dangerous, because it leaves no margin for error if a flier descends too deeply or needs an abrupt lift to avoid a crash.

States Polli on his Facebook page: "Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose to live with no regret."

Shedd Aquarium announces successful birth of beluga whale

Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is celebrating the birth early Monday of a beluga whale who came into this world measuring 4 1/2 feet and weighing about 150 pounds.

Both mother and calf will remain under around-the-clock observation during the next several days, but the birth and early moments in the calf's life went well.

"In less than 24 hours after birth, the calf achieved the first critical milestones that we look for, including taking its first breath, bonding with mom and we’ve seen attempts at nursing," said Ken Ramirez, executive vice president of animal care and training at Shedd.

"Shedd’s long history of research and care of these animals tells us that these initial behaviors indicate a strong calf; but we will continue to monitor for signs of development, including steady nursing and growth."

The mother, Mauyak, handled the labor and birth like the expert she is, having delivered two previous calves into the Shedd universe.

Both animals remain off exhibit during the observation period. The calf's father, Naluark, is on a breeding exchange at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.

Shedd, which is part of the North America beluga whale breeding cooperative, now has seven belugas.

The facility made headlines three months ago after the successful birth of its first-ever Pacific white-sided dolphin. The dolphin and his mom are big hits in the the Misty Passage portion of the Abbott Oceanarium.

--Image showing newborn beluga whale and mother is courtesy of Shedd Aquarium

Denali hiker killed by grizzly bear, a first in park history

A lone backpacker was killed by a grizzly bear Friday afternoon in Alaska's Denali National Park and Reserve, but not before photographing the animal for at least eight minutes from what appears to have been a dangerously close distance.

It marks the only known fatal attack by a grizzly in the park's history.

Park officials issued a news release confirming the incident Saturday, as they endeavored to secure the site, recover the body and search for a "predatory" bear. They also ordered a temporary closure of a large area surrounding the attack site, a portion of the Upper Toklat River.

The identity of the victim was not released pending notification of next of kin.

A search for the victim was launched after three hikers found an abandoned backpack, and later discovered torn clothing and blood. The hikers notified National Park Service staff after hurrying back to a nearby rest area.

A dusk search aboard airplane and helicopter revealed the victim's remains, with at least one bear still present. The bear fled as the helicopter landed and two rangers disembarked to inspect what appeared to be a secluded "cache" site away from where the initial attack occurred.

Rangers discovered a wallet and camera. Photographs from as close as 50 yards show the bear grazing for an extended period, not acting aggressively. The park requires that visitors maintain a distance of a quarter-mile when bears are visible.

It's the first fatal attack involving a grizzly in Alaska in seven years.

Because more bears probably were in the vicinity, park officials decided to postpone the recovery of the body until Saturday.

Park officials were scrambling Saturday to make sure there were no other hikers or backpackers in the area, which they say provides habitat for about 12 grizzly bears, and were hoping to find out just what triggered the attack.

Backpackers in Denali receive mandatory 'Bear Aware' training prior to receiving a backcountry permit. They also receive a 30-minute safety video, a safety briefing from the ranger staff, and a mandate to carry a Bear Resistant Food Container.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that this marked the first fatal grizzly bear mauling in Alaska since 2005, when a grizzly killed an Anchorage couple camping in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. That was deemed an unprovoked attack and the bear subsequently was hunted and killed.

-- Image shows a portion of the Upper Toklat River, which is near where the attack occurred. Courtesy of Danali National Park and Reserve

Kelly Slater surfs onto trading card as 'all-time great' athlete

Kelly Slater, who has won 11 world surfing titles and has dominated the sport for much of the past 20 years, has been deemed an all-time great by Upper Deck trading cards.

This is no small honor. Pro surfing has not been embraced by the mainstream but Slater is increasingly gaining recognition as one of the greatest athletes in all of sports.

His placement on an Upper Deck card, in the 2012 All-Time Greats and 2013 Goodwin Champions categories, was made along with such icons as Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, Dan Marino, Landon Donovan, Mike Tyson and Pete Rose.

Slater, 40, is still a force on the ASP World Championship Tour. He's the reigning world champion and is currently ranked No. 2, behind Australia's Mick Fanning.