Outdoor News Service

09/15/2025

Had to share this one.

Bear breaks into ice cream store, eats until he passes out. In Tahoe, an ice cream shop had just rolled out its new monthly flavor: honey. Locals loved it, but the surprise fans turned out to be much bigger.

On only the second day of serving it, employees unlocked the shop to find tubs of honey ice cream completely devoured and a massive black bear sprawled out on the floor, fast asleep from his feast.
Wildlife officials were called in. Carefully, they managed to wake the bear and guide him out before relocating him to a safer area away from town.

Researchers explained that bears have an extraordinary sense of smell scientists estimate up to seven times better than a bloodhound allowing them to detect food from miles away. It was no wonder the honey ice cream had lured him straight through the shop’s door.

The local wildlife center ended up covering the cost of the ice cream, and when the owner was asked about it, he just laughed: “As long as someone’s paying, I hope he comes back, that’s the fastest we’ve ever sold out.”

09/08/2025

Most deer hunters I know would benefit from one of these sessions.

09/08/2025

A chance for you to give input that will be ignored. Sorry, I’ve become a cynic. The agency manages our resources to avoid lawsuits from the environmental fringe rather than wildlife and sportsmen these days.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking public input in developing a Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan.

08/18/2025

Another iconic bait store is closing up shop.

This is a Must read! (In my personal opinion: Kris)

Because huge companies like Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Starbucks, and Target are everywhere, you might be surprised to read that “The American economy is built on small businesses “. And “Family businesses are the lifeblood” of our country’s wealth and resources (the Academy of Family Business).
Some of Bakersfield’s oldest small businesses are also Family-Owned and have been passed from one generation to the next. For example, Joe Lemucchi opened a cafe in 1906 that eventually became Luigi’s; now it is operated by the third and fourth generations of the family. Ben Stinson Jr. opened Stinson Stationers in 1947; Ben III took over in 1981 and still runs the company. JB and Mayie Maitia opened Wollgrowers in 1954; their daughter Jenny and granddaughter Christiana are now in charge. Bob Carney opened Carney’s office equipment in 1977; son-in-law Rick Kreisler and his son Jeff now lead the operation.
Family owned businesses have a special place in my heart because, also in 1977 my Dad (Bob Rutledge) opened Bob’s Bait Bucket. My oldest brother Clay took over the reins decades ago and did a great job in keeping the business going. I use the word “DID” because , after 48 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the Bucket.
When the announcement of the closure was made, conspiracy theorists sprang into action online mostly blaming the Gov. Gavin Neesom and California’s regulations. To put rumors to rest, the Bucket is closing because Clay is 67 years and wants to spend his remaining years at the coast with his wife, who has lived there for the past decade.
Starting and maintaining a business for almost 50 years is no small feat- it takes guts, lots of support, good management, reliable employees, and most of all, a steady stream of customers. Before Claylocks the doors for the last time, I want to say thank you to the following people:
My hard working , risk-taking Dad, who was also my first boss. I worked at the Bucket several times- the first being the summer I was 15. Even though it was only a few months, that experience had a lasting positive impact on me.
My Mom EJ, who tirelessly waited tables at the Black Angus to be able to pay the household bills for the first few years after the Bucket opened ( it usually takes several years before small businesses become profitable).
Clay, who was only supposed to work at the Bucket temporarily and ended up devoting his life to it. My Dad considered himself to be a good entrepreneur, but a bad manager. He often said Clay was a natural manager and the Bucket wouldn’t have survived without him. I’m also thankful that Clay put his plans yo move to the coast on hold and delayed closing the Bucket until after our Dad died. Even when he had to spend most of his days sitting in a wheelchair, Dad loved being wheeled two blocks from their house to the Bucket so he could still be part of the action. And, when he couldn’t leave the house anymore, he always wanted a report on the Bucket’s activities when Clay visited.
The many dependable employees over the years who took good care of the Bucket and Kern River Bait & Tackle (Dads store on Niles Street, which was managed by my brothers Joe and Ben from 1985-2021), especially Chief, Pete, Kris, Randy, Jacob, Dakota (Bear), Joann, Nacho, Ken, and Mike.
Most of ALL, thank you to the thousands of customers who supported both stores. Your patronage had a positive impact on the entire Rutledge Clan- Bob and EJ, their children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Your dollars also went back into our community through donations to organizations that help people, animals and the environment. You made many lives in our community better by shopping at your local bait and tackle stores, and we can’t thank you enough for it.
Many customers have stopped by the Bucket to say goodbye and tell Clay how much it has meant to them and generations of their families.

I’m incredibly proud that our small family business has such a big impact on so many people.
Thank you ALL…….
(This was written by Clays sister Robin Paggi)
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

08/13/2025

It's just a matter of days now until the dove season opens -- the official kickoff of fall bird hunting seasons.