Why I hunt? (I part)

We hunted for many reasons and there is a very bitter national debate between those who believe that hunting is a barbaric and inhumane activity, and others who love being in contact with nature, who admire its beauty and diversity, and respect and take care of it. Many enjoy the challenge of facing the anger and adversity that nature presents to us and are proud to be able to survive and succeed on their own.


It is my opinion that we hunt because it is an activity that breaks our daily routine and takes us back to our roots, is one of the few current human activities makes us break, albeit temporarily, our ties with civilization and, while hunting, we forget everything and we just feel in touch with the universe again, feel the forces of nature in all its splendor in and around us, we experience the emotion that our ancestors, 10,000 years ago, lived.

From the moment our ancestors, hungry and frightened they were to come down from the trees in search of food, walking upright and hunt their first prey using a piece of wood as a weapon, since that time they ceased to be the prey to become the predator, they became hunters and led to what we are today, in humans, that was the first step in human evolution, step that led us to the top of the food chain and become the dominant race on this planet, the ultimate predator.

It is known that primitive man was identified with the animal whose survival depended on, the paintings found in numerous caves show the devotion, respect and admiration professed for those ancient hunters for their prey and their rituals, songs and crafts reflected how intrisic the animal was part of their daily lives. The best hunters were the most admired and respected member of the tribe and later became their natural leaders.

It is naive to deny our most primitive ancestry, we are predators and hunting is in our genes, we hunt for meat but deep inside us, as it happend thousand of years ago, we also do it for the respect and admiration of our hunting companions, our friends and family and the unique emotions of that crucial moment when we take our trophy.


This unity between man-animal, that mutual respect, created a natural balance between man and nature that favored social development of mankind.

Over the years things have changed and hunting does not fulfill the same functions as before, today is just a hobby but it is one of the few human activity that most closer take us to our roots, to our quintessential human condition, only the majestic wilderness remember us how insignificant we are, only then we forget our civilized arrogance and realize that our lives depend on we relate to mother nature.

Each state of the American Union have different regulations for hunting but in Florida it is forbidden to use such hunting weapons as automatic rifles, explosive, or using live bait, dogs, you can not shoot an animal that is swimming, lying on the ground or in a feeding area, it is forbidden to hunt at night, etc, the law requires us to hunt in the most primitive way as possible so that our battle against the animal is as even as possible.

We also have to remember that we are not facing a defenseless animals, these are animals that are well prepared to survive in their environment, animals faster or stronger than us, When we go out hunting, we too can become the prey at any time unless we take appropriate precautions. Having a rifle, bow or other weapon only helps us to balance our forces to the animals that we are trying to hunt, but there is no guarantee that if a personal encounter with a bear, a cougar or any other animal happens, everything is going to goes well for us, more than one hunter have paid with his life for underestimating these dangers, for not respecting or properly assessing the strength of the animal that he tries to hunt.

There are other reasons for scientific or economic nature to encourage hunting as in the case of maintaining a proper and healthy population of animals and the controlled supply of certain skins (crocodile, snakeskin, beaver, etc.). These are valid economic reasons but those are not exactly my reasons for hunting.

Elite GT500 Review

Written by Matthew Burrows

Friday, 06 November 2009

Early this spring I began shooting as many different bows as possible. I wanted to see if I was missing something in all the new bows on the market. After shooting the Elite GT500 my mind was made up and I started a new journey with a bow that was totally different than my Mathews. This blog is a follow up to my original review of the Elite GT500 that I did in March.

After shooting the GT500 on the 3D courses this spring and turkey hunting with it here is a breakdown of what I liked and what I would change.

Accuracy- The first day I shot this bow I was more accurate and consistent at 40 yards than with any other bow I have owned. My groups were tighter and my confidence was higher. I contribute this to the bow being a little longer than I was use to shooting in the past. This gave me more stability and that was reflected in my groups. Additionally, I believe the quality of the materials and workmanship on this bow added to the overall performance and accuracy.

The Grip- One of my favorite design features on the GT500 is the grip. I like a thin grip with a flat platform on the riser. This gives stability through the draw and at full draw. Bows that have a rounded wood grip or rounded riser seem to twist more in my hand as I come to full draw. Adjusting the grip back to its original position once at full draw can cause one to torque the riser.

Riser Shelf- If I had one complaint about the GT500 it would be with the riser shelf. I used two different styles of rests and both contacted the left side of the riser shelf which has a little lip. The GT500 and my Z28 paper tuned to the left of what the laser center shot tool showed. This caused the left fork of my rest to always contact the left lip on the riser and not sit flat on the riser shelf. I don't know the purpose for having a lip on the riser shelf of any bow and in my opinion would look just as good not to have one and have the shelf width increased about 3/8s of an inch.

Quality Parts- One of the main reasons the GT500 stood out to me was the quality parts that are used. The Barnesdale limbs, string, string stop, finish, and machining of the cams. I have had no issues with any of the parts on this bow and if I ever do Elite's warranty is one of the best in the industry.

Overall- This is a great bow for hunting and shooting 3D. I give it 9 out of 10 for the smooth draw, stability/balance, solid back wall, and its exceptional quality. I will be using it in the future primarily for spring 3D and turkey hunting. Next week I am going to start shooting paper with it at a new indoor range to work on my form and release. If you haven't shot this bow at a pro-shop I encourage you to do so. Compare it to other bows and you might walk away pleasantly surprised.

Make Your Own Hunting Video - By Tracy Breen

As the popularity of hunting videos and outdoor television grows, so does the desire of average hunters to video their own hunts. Every spring and fall, hunters across the country pack a video camera in their backpacks and head into the woods with hopes of catching a successful hunt on film. The problem is many hunters head into the woods with a new camera without really knowing how to properly film a hunt. Instead of going home with quality video footage, they go home with footage that looks like it was taken during an earthquake.

Brian Bychowski with Pine Ridge Archery and Marc Baird, Producer of The Crush with Lee and Tiffany, both know a lot about taping hunts. Bychowski spent years filming and editing for Midwest Outdoors, a television show based out of Illinois. According to him, hunters must first learn how to properly use a video camera.

“Many hunters run out to the store when they decide to start filming their hunts and buy the first camera they see,” Bychowski says. “Then they bring it into the woods and begin filming a hunt before they understand the basic operation of the camera.” Cameras can be difficult to operate at first, so the best time to get acquainted with a new camera is not when you are staring at a trophy buck 20 feet off the ground. “I suggest a hunter read his manual and understand what most of the buttons do,” he says. “Then he should buy a camera support arm and strap the arm to a tree in his backyard and film his dog or kids playing around. It can take a while to understand how fast to pan back and forth and how to film effectively without moving a lot or making noise that will spook a deer.”

If you plan to film your own hunt instead of getting a friend to film over your shoulder, it will be challenging. “When I film myself hunting, I realize before I start that something must be compromised. Either the hunting or quality of video footage will suffer. I choose the video footage because I don’t want to pass up a buck if he presents a good shot opportunity,” Bychowski explains. “Most of the time I have my lens zoomed out most of the way so I can catch the buck walking by and take the shot if I get one. Many hunters make a mistake when they have the camera zoomed in too tightly. When a shot presents itself, the deer has left the frame or the hunter only sees a small part of the deer on film. A wide angle shot might not show a close-up of the arrow hitting a buck, but at least hunters will have the kill shot on film.”

Marc Baird filmed for Scent-Lok for years. He now works full-time as an editor and producer of some of the biggest shows in outdoor television. Baird’s pet peeve is when hunters zoom in and out repeatedly and pan back and forth between several things within a few seconds.

“I tell people who are filming for the first time that when they focus in on something they should do it for at least 10 seconds,” Baird says. “The telltale sign of a home video is when the camera is focused on a squirrel, then a bird, then a deer—all in less than eight seconds. If you are watching a squirrel eat an acorn through the view finder, watch it for a while instead of jerking back and forth between the squirrel and various other things in the woods. Watching 10 different things in a few seconds is confusing and difficult to watch.”

Baird believes hunters need to remember to tell a story with their video camera. “Very often I see short little videos made by hunters that show a kill shot and that’s about it. Hunters should consider taping all kinds of things that pertain to a hunt,” he says. “For instance, if a few friends are going on an out-of-state hunt, they should film the sign that welcomes them to the state or town where they are hunting. Film a few cattle that are in a field near the treestand, film hanging the treestand or glassing from the treestand. A hunt is much more than a simple kill shot, and the film should show more than just the kill. Years later, remembering everything that took place on a hunt will be difficult, but if you filmed different things while hunting, it will be easy to jog your memory.”

Nobody enjoys watching a shaky video or a video that is out of focus or grainy. According to Baird, there are a few things you can do to minimize the chance of this happening. “Videos are often shaky because hunters touch the camera while they are zooming in and out trying to capture something on film,” he says. “You can minimize the shakiness by buying a zoom control, which is a device that attaches to the camera that allows you to zoom in and out without touching the camera. The difference this small device makes is huge.”

Not using a camera’s digital zoom is another way to get clearer, less grainy video footage. “Most cameras are equipped with a digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on something a long way off,” Baird says. “If a buck is 500 yards away with a digital zoom, you can zoom right in on him. But the footage won’t look very good. If you want crystal clear footage, avoid using the digital zoom on a camera.”

According to Bychowski, one easy way to get clearer, better looking footage is to turn off the auto-focus. “Most cameras have an auto-focus feature, but often when videotaping a deer or turkey walking by, the auto-focus will focus on a stick or tree, and that makes the deer out of focus,” he explains. “Hunters are much better off if they learn to use the manual focus.” If you are hunting with a friend and you take turns filming each other, getting the shot on film can be difficult. Placing the cameraman’s stand in the right spot makes all the difference in the world.

Editing Hunting Video

Filming a hunt is only half of the completed video. If you want a quality video, you must learn to edit film. There is a variety of film editing programs available. Most of the professionals in the hunting industry including Bychowski and Baird use Final Cut Pro by Apple. However, iMovie, which comes stock on most Mac computers, works well for beginners. PC computers have also introduced good software for beginners including Campbell’s Video Editor. This program costs less than $150 and is available from Campbell’s Outdoor Challenge. Like anything, the deeper you get into film editing, the more you can plan to spend. The sky is the limit.

“When I am filming a hunt, I like to face the tree and have my camera off to the side and at head level with the hunter,” Bychowski says. “The tree trunk will break up my outline and hide my treestand. With my camera over the top of the hunter, I can easily film over their shoulder. If my stand is too low or too high or too far off to the side, getting the kill shot on film can be difficult.”

Another thing to consider when hunting is the position of the sun. Filming into the sun or moving the camera into the sun can make the footage appear washed out, and deer might see the reflection of the sun in the lens and bolt. “I’ve often seen game spooked from sun shining into a lens. Most videographers have learned that mistake the hard way,” Bychowski notes. When the sun is bright, try to avoid it. You’ll end up with better footage all the way around.

Videotaping a hunt complicates everything, especially if you have two people in the tree. It’s two people who can move at the wrong time, two people giving off human odor and two people who could make noise. All of these things spook game and can ruin a hunt. Do as much as you can before the hunt to ensure nothing goes wrong during the hunt.

“At Pine Ridge Archery, we make a camera support arm called the Pro Bow Cam support. The support comes with a bracket that mounts to the tree,” Bychowski says. “When my friends and I hang stands, we bring several brackets and leave them in the tree so when we show up to hunt, we slide the camera arm into the bracket and hunt. There is no adjusting the ratchet strap, making noise or adjusting the arm because it isn’t in the right spot. All of that is done in advance so we can sneak in and out without making noise.”

It is not always possible to hang stands and camera brackets ahead of time but when you can do it, it can help turn a good video into a great one. “When possible, hunters should hang treestands ahead of time and climb into them and film a little to see if branches or trees might get in the way of making good film,” he says. “This allows them to trim branches ahead of time, film a bit and work out the bugs so when the time to hunt arrives, they are prepared and ready to film.”

BowTech 82nd Airborne Review

BowTech 82nd Airborne
Pros
•extremely fast and powerful bow

•solid back wall

•flawless finish

Cons
•not the most forgiving bow

•harsher draw cycle


Review
With the advertised IBO speed of 350 fps, the Bowtech 82d Airborne is one of the fastest bows on the market. As the bow is designed to generate blazing speeds, the draw cycle is rather harsh. It is therefore the ideal choice for experienced shooters who like hitting the target with a lot of power.

Riser
The riser on the 82d Airborne is made from forged aluminum. Being fully machined to add more strength the riser also has a dozen of cut-outs which help to reduce the overall mass weight of the bow.

Shooters notice that the new "InVelvet" finish applied to this bow has a great feel and is very strong. They say it protects from wear and is resistant to chemicals. At the same time the new finish feels warm and soft protecting shooter's hands from the cold. In addition, "InVelvet" acts as a dampener further quieting the bow.

Eccentric system
The engine behind this bow is a new and powerful binary cam system that offers interchangeable module system for adjusting the draw length. This eccentric system is designed to store an incredible amount of energy and is capable of generating smoking speeds of up to 350 fps. The draw length can be adjusted using a bow press. A set of interchangeable modules is available for draw lengths ranging from 26.5" to 30.5" in 1/2" increments. Also, the let-off is adjustable from 65% to 80%. Overall, this cam system delivers great speeds and is very efficient.

Draw cycle
While performance, speed, and efficiency are the characteristics making this bow stand out, the 82d Airborne does not have all these benefits for free. Not surprisingly, many archers say this bow has a harsh draw cycle - this is what makes this bow so powerful. While the 82d Airborne is not the smoothest bow, the back wall is pretty solid once you reach full draw. In fact, some shooters are very impressed on how easy it is to hold the bow at full draw for a considerable amount of time without being tired.

Shootability
While more experienced hunters will enjoy shooting this bow straight away, the beginners might be disappointed with their results if the 82d Airborne is their first bow. Many shooters notice it takes time to get used to this bow due to its short brace height. They do notice, however, that once mastered, the accuracy is not a problem and the bow feels great. In addition, many archers believe this bow is more forgiving than expected due to a longer axle to axle length. So, if you are an experienced shooter or if you are happy to build your form gradually, it's very likely you will admire this bow for its blend of speed and shootabiliy characteristics.

Recommendations for beginners:
If you are a beginner and would like to build your skills first, consider getting a more forgiving bow. For example, you may want to have a look at the DiamondMarquis. While the Marquis is not that fast, it has a longer brace height and a smoother draw cycle.

Summary:
To summarize, the 82d Airborne is incredibly fast and has excellent performance. Although it has a harsher draw cycle, getting used to this powerful beast is only a matter of time or experience. That is why this bow is a great choice for experienced shooters or people who don't mind building their form gradually.

To hunt or not to hunt that is the question?

Article published in Reel and Steel blog.

Right know here in New Jersey there is a big debate on whether there should be a bear hunt or not. They have one tentatively scheduled for December but it isn’t written in stone yet. There are people on both sides of the coin that have some good points. I for one think the need for this hunt is heard every day either on the police scanner, newspaper or by the stories people are telling.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t hear on the police scanner were the police are going to a call for a bear either in someones yard or being hit by a vehicle. Or I read in the paper or online were on has wandered into a school yard etc. My neighbor has told me that one just tore up his garbage the other week. I am sure there are more people that have the same issues with them. Just for those reasons alone a bear hunt is needed. I don’t see it being long before we hear about a child was mauled to death by one.

It sure seems that they have no fear of us at all. They are the largest mammal in New Jersey. The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website has a lot of good info on how to take precautions for avoiding them or attracting them. Also here is the number for reporting black bear damage or nuisance behavior in New Jersey it is toll free 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337.

One of my friends had one that was ripping up his garbage and going after his dog. He called the fish and game and they came and tranquilize the bear to move it away. They told him that it weighed over 400lbs.

We usually take a ride up and over the mountain on Sunday evening on our way to take my mother in law home. It is something we have done for years and until lately we never saw a bear. In the last couple years we have seen a good dozen or so bears. And a lot more deer and other wildlife. I use to think that bear won’t bother you but on one of our recent rides over the mountain we say a huge bear in the wheat field. I stopped to get a picture of it. It was about 100 yards or so away. As I was getting the camera ready and looked back at it this bear was in full stride running at my truck. I almost pooped my pants. Needless to say I didn’t get a pic just a slight heart attack. I read on the NJ Fish & Wildlife website were they say if one should attack don’t play dead fight back! Well I can tell you loud screaming does nothing! I also saw were if you get caught feeding them it is up to $1000.00 penalty.

I don’t like to hunt just to shoot something but this is one that I think needs to be done before it is to late!

How to Watch Wildlife

Watching wildlife has great rewards

Whether you're suffering from an existential crisis or you just want to learn more about the natural world, few activities can make you feel “in touch” with nature like watching wildlife. Wildlife observation is a fun learning experience for people of all ages, and you can do it no matter where you live or travel. Best of all, watching wildlife doesn’t require a big budget or a lot of equipment. In fact, observing animals in your own neighborhood can be just as rewarding as traveling deep into the jungle. No matter where you go, here’s what you should know.

Steps

Decide where you’re going to observe wildlife. Obviously if you want to observe a particular type of animal, you’ll have to go where that animal lives. If you’re more flexible, however, you can find wildlife just about anywhere, even in the middle of the city. Consider your budget and the amount of free time you have available, and then go out and meet nature.

Wildlife & Forestry

Research the wildlife in your chosen location. Find out what creatures you can expect to see, and find out a little bit about them. Pay special attention to information about their daily lives and behavior—their feeding, sleeping, and breeding habits, for example—and what environments they prefer so you’ll know where and when you’re most likely to see them. A little research will also help you figure out what animals are doing when you see them. Look up specific animals on the internet, read about them at your local library, or visit your local nature center or wildlife-watching club for more information.

Prepare for your expedition.
The preparations and equipment you will need will vary depending on where you’re going. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing for the climate, and dress in layers. Let somebody know where you will be and when you expect to be back. Research the area if you’re unfamiliar with it, and get a map and compass or GPS device if appropriate. Remember to bring a pad, pen, and camera to record your observations. You may also want to bring binoculars.

Blend in with your surroundings.
Wear camouflage clothing as appropriate for the setting, or simply wear earth-tone or drab clothes—avoid flashy, bright attire that will call attention to you. Don’t wear colognes, perfumes, scented lotions or hair products. Above all, be quiet. Keep talking to a minimum (use hand signals whenever you can), and step lightly, being careful not to break twigs underfoot. Turn off your cell phone or pager, and wear clothing that does not make excessive noise (cotton is usually a good choice in warm dry weather; wool or polyester fleece for pants and sweaters is smart for safe, comfortable viewing in cold or wet conditions).

Be still and wait.
Perhaps the best way to get a chance to observe wildlife, especially at a wildlife viewing area, is to simply wait for animals to show up. Find a comfortable, partially concealed place from which to observe wildlife. You can use a constructed implement, such as a duck blind, or your can simply crouch low to the ground or hide behind rocks or trees. Be patient. Animals may hear you coming and go into hiding, or they simply won’t show up if they sense your presence, but if you wait long enough and quietly enough, chances are they’ll either not notice you or not feel threatened by you.

Approach wildlife carefully.
Usually your best bet is to sit still in one place (a place where you know you have a good chance of spotting wildlife), but sometimes you’ll see an animal in the distance and want to get a closer look. Remember to remain silent and try to stay downwind from the animal. Move slowly, and use the cover of trees, rocks, and other natural features to your advantage. If the animal is potentially dangerous, you’re better off keeping your distance and viewing it with binoculars or your camera’s telephoto lens. Even if the animal is harmless, respect its space and don’t disturb it.

Use your ears.
Whether you’re searching for wildlife or observing it, you’ll be more successful if you rely on more than just your eyes. Listen for cracking twigs or branches, animal calls, or the flutter of birds’ wings to help you locate animals. While you’re watching animals, listen to the sounds they make. Soon you’ll be able to distinguish different types of animals by sound alone. To amplify sounds, cup your hands behind your ears.

Figure out what animals are doing.
If you’ve done your research you should know a bit about the behavior of the wildlife you’re watching. Try to identify certain behaviors as you observe them in the wild, and make a note of behaviors that you’re not familiar with.

Record your observations.
If you really want to get serious about wildlife watching, you should keep a journal of your observations. Note the types of creatures you see and their characteristics, and jot down what they are doing and where. Make sketches or take pictures and paste them into your journal.

Learn more about the animals you observe.
Once you return from the field, review your journal and do some more research to answer any questions that came up during your observations.

Tips

• Appreciate the little things. Many people think of wildlife as only large animals or birds, but the world is literally buzzing with other creatures. From bees and ants to mice and lizards, small animals offer ample opportunities to learn and to be amazed. They also can be found just about everywhere, so you can see wildlife even in the “concrete jungle” of the city.

• A wide variety of guided watching experiences are available, from nature walks in city parks to wilderness expeditions in distant countries. A naturalist or experienced local guide can help you see more wildlife and learn more about the lives of the creatures you see.

• You'll need a lot of patience: if animals see, hear, or otherwise know you're there, it'll take a while for them to come out. Sometimes you might not see the animal you’re looking for. Don’t be discouraged; take the opportunity to observe other wildlife, and try again another day.

• If you want to photograph wildlife, it’s usually best to have a good telephoto lens (at least 210 mm, and preferably 400 mm or more) so that you can do so from a distance. If you’re observing very small creatures, such as insects, get a macro lens for close-ups.

Warnings

• Stay off private property or obtain permission from the property owner before entering.

• If you’re observing in the woods, exercise caution during hunting seasons. Avoid areas where you know hunters are located, and wear bright orange clothing.

• Many animals, such as bears, walruses, and breeding stags (male deer), can be dangerous. Keep a safe distance away from these animals.

• Even small and harmless-looking animals can bite or otherwise hurt you in defense. Never chase wild animals or try to touch them or get too close to them, no matter what their size. Even if you escape uninjured, the encounter will cause the animal undue stress. If you try to approach a baby animal, you risk encountering a fierce parent. Keep a safe distance from moms with babes, don’t approach babies or get between babies and their mothers.

• Never feed animals or try to lure them with bait.

• Don’t interfere with nature. It can be tempting sometimes to try to rescue a rabbit from the clutches of a fox, for example, but it’s important to understand that such interferences throw off the natural balance and are harmful to at least one of the animals involved. You could also be injured while interfering.

• Never tease, pet, or get too close to animals during the dry season (no matter how cute they look, or how calm they are in the rainy season). This is a time of stress for the animals, and even the calmest or animals could injure you.

• Never get too close to a baby animal! They aren't likely to attack you, but where there's a baby, there's an angry mom.

• You can take pictures, but do not use a flash! Even if they didn't seem to notice you at first, a camera flash could startle them and cause them to injure you!

Now that you know how to watch wildl animal, I hope you have a wondeful experience out there!

We suggest you to check The Hunter Store website to find quality hunting gear before going out hunting.

Everglades - National Wildlife Federation

Everglades

The Everglades is a two million acre wetland ecosystem that reaches from central Florida, near Orlando, all the way south to Florida Bay. During the wet season, Lake Okeechobee overflows, releasing water into a very slow moving, shallow river dominated by sawgrass marsh--dubbed the "river of grass." The water flows southward, passing through diverse habitats, including cypress swamps, wet prairie and mangroves, until it reaches Everglades National Park and eventually Florida Bay.

Originally, the Greater Everglades Ecosystem had a large diversity of habitats connected by wetlands and water bodies. Since the 1800's, human actions have been altering the Everglades landscape. Water diversions and flood control projects cut water flows and connections between wetlands throughout the Everglades. Combined with agricultural and urban development, the size of the Everglades has decreased dramatically.

People and the Everglades

The Everglades are surrounded by human development, including the cities of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Its wetlands and wildlife draw large numbers of birders, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The Everglades also provide critical, and often undervalued, services to people, called ecosystem services. The waters of the Everglades ecosystem support agriculture and provide drinking water for south Florida. The wetlands improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and absorbing excess nutrients, replenish aquifers, and reduce flooding.

Wildlife in the Everglades

The Everglades is internationally known for its extraordinary wildlife--from Florida panthers, to crocodiles, manatees, and a huge host of birds such as roseate spoonbills, egrets, and wood storks.

Plants: The diversity of Everglades' habitats means there's also a great diversity of plants. There are wetland plants from sawgrass and bladderwort to cypress and mangrove trees. There are pine trees, hardwoods, and even beautiful orchids.

Birds: Over 350 bird species can be found in Everglades National Park alone. The Everglades is known for its many wading birds, such as white and glossy ibises, roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons and wood storks, but it also hosts huge numbers of smaller migratory birds. Some species, such as the snail kite, wood stork and Cape Sable seaside sparrow have become endangered species.

Reptiles: Both alligators and crocodiles live in the Everglades and are sometimes mistaken for each other. American alligators like deep, freshwater channels of water called sloughs and wet prairie, where they dig out ponds for nesting. The American crocodile lives in the coastal mangroves and Florida Bay. Everglades National Park has 27 different kinds of snakes alone.

Mammals: The Everglades' most endangered animal, a mammal, is the Florida panther, of which about 80 now survive. Other well-know Everglades mammals are water-dwellers--the West Indian manatee, which is also endangered, and the bottlenose dolphin.

Threats to the Everglades

Invasive Species

When an ecosystem is out of balance and native plants and animals are struggling, species from other parts of the world can take advantage of the changed conditions to establish themselves. Some introduce species become a small part of the landscape, while others thrive at the expense of native plants and wildlife. When an introduced species puts additional stresses on native wildlife and threatens habitats, it is called an invasive species.

An invasive species is able to spread throughout new ecosystems, because it doesn't have the natural predators from its native land to keep it in check. Once they've become established, these invaders are hard to stop. The Everglades is being threatened by numerous plant and animal invaders.

Invasive species in the Florida Everglades were introduced both on purpose and by accident.

•Altering water flows and the natural pattern of wildfires allowed exotic plants, such as the Brazilian peppertree, Chinese privet, melaleuca and Old World climbing fern to invade. 1.5 million acres of the Everglades have been invaded by nonnative plants.

•The Burmese python is breeding throughout the park after being released by pet-owners who could not take care of large snakes.

•Nile monitor and Cuban treefrog are both animal invaders.

Animal invaders prey on or compete with native species. The Cuban treefrog eats smaller native frogs, while the Nile monitor eats burrowing owls and crocodile eggs. Burmese pythons have even been known to prey on alligators!

Restoring the Everglades ecosystem will help to prevent new invasions and keep established invasive species in check. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was approved in 2000. It is intended to restore, protect and preserve the Everglades by capturing fresh water that now flows unused to the ocean and the gulf and redirect it to areas that need it most for environmental restoration.