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UNDERCOVER WILDLIFE OPERATION CRACKS DOWN ON POACHING IN N.C., GA.

MULTI-AGENCY OPERATION SOMETHING BRUIN DOCUMENTS SCORES OF VIOLATIONS GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Feb. 20, 2013) - State and federal wildlife officials in North Carolina and Georgia announced an undercover operation today that involved about 80 wildlife violators and some 980 violations. Primary violations documented by Operation Something Bruin stem from illegal bear hunting but include an array of state wildlife and game law charges. Some suspects could also face federal charges. The four-year investigation, the largest of its kind in recent years, targeted poachers in North Carolina and Georgia, with work in some adjacent states. Included in Georgia are eight defendants facing a total of 136 state charges. Dan Forster, director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, said Operation Something Bruin is a great example of a multi-agency effort with a unified goal: protecting a public trust resource that provides “tremendous natural, social and economic benefits to citizens.” “It is incumbent upon us to ensure that we have sustainable natural resources for the public to enjoy for generations,” Forster said. “And particularly in these economic times, it’s critical for us to work across geopolitical boundaries with other agencies to provide the best possible protection for the resource.” Officers with Georgia DNR and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission infiltrated poaching circles to document violations including bear baiting; illegal take of bears, deer and other wildlife; illegal use of dogs; illegal operation of bear pens in North Carolina; and, guiding hunts on national forest lands without the required permits. Operation Something Bruin partners also included the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. Officers began making arrests Tuesday, Feb. 19. Totals given for violators and violations are approximate. This investigation will help safeguard wildlife by making poachers pay now, and making would-be violators think twice before breaking laws that conserve natural resources. For those who persist in wildlife theft, Something Bruin will help agencies better train officers to catch them - an effort strongly supported by hunters and anglers, our nation’s first conservationists. Col. Eddie Henderson, chief of the Wildlife Resources Division’s Law Enforcement Section, emphasized that the effort also reinforces the public’s role in helping combat poaching and conserve wildlife. “Conservation officers cannot be everywhere,” Henderson said. “The public can be a great asset by reporting poaching and suspicious activity through their state’s toll-free report-a-violation line. “Wildlife belongs to everyone. Reporting poaching helps us protect something the public owns.” Learn more at www.operationsomethingbruin.org or www.georgiawildlife.com/operationsomethingbruin. REPORT POACHING Fewer than 10 percent of all wildlife crimes are reported. Help change that trend and protect the wildlife we all enjoy. When you see or hear of a possible violation, call Georgia’s Turn In Poachers (TIP) line, 1-800-241-4113. Details at www.georgiawildlife.com.

Just for Fun: Bunny Handshadow

Just for Fun: Deer Handshadow

5 Keys to Affordable Road Trips

(NewsUSA) - Whether traveling for business or pleasure, most people will take at least one road trip this year, and when they do, they'll be looking for value. To help get the most out of your next trip, here are five insider secrets from travel expert and life-long hotelier Rajiv Bhatia, head of roadside hotel chain Knights Inn. 1. Book Your Hotel Direct. Shopping around is always a good idea, and it seems like new websites pop up every day to help travelers do just that. That's great for comparing offerings, but when you've made your choice, book directly with the hotel or brand. More often than not, you'll be offered a lower price as well as a best-rate guarantee. 2. Pass on Car Rental Insurance. Rather than paying the insurance that car rental companies provide for a fee, check your personal policy. Often, your plan will include a travel clause that you may not be aware of, saving you as much as $30 a day. To save even more, don't worry about the size of the rental car you are reserving, and go with the smallest size offered. The most compact cars usually get overbooked and sell out fast, often leading to a free upgrade. 3. Don't Pay for What's Free. Spend your money on fun, not on hotel Internet fees and expensive breakfasts. Stick with hotels that offer these amenities at no cost. 4. Slow Down on the Highway. Savor the journey to your destination; it doesn't pay to rush. Driving in excess of 60 miles per hour will waste gas and money. For every five miles over, your car can lose as much as 23 percent fuel efficiency. 5. Brand Loyalty Pays. Hotel loyalty programs let travelers earn points for their stays, points that can be redeemed for gift cards, free nights and more. When you stay with competing brands, it's likely you won't earn enough points for rewards. Stay with only one brand or its affiliates, and watch your point balance grow. Like having choices when you travel? Try Wyndham Rewards -- it's the largest hotel loyalty program in the world, with 14 brands and over 7,000 hotels.

White Bean Chili Recipe Will Warm the Heart

White Bean Chili Recipe Will Warm the Heart (302) (NewsUSA) - Hearty stews and belly-warming soups are coming out of the kitchens; frost is sparkling, and winter jackets are coming out of hiding. Families are craving slow-cooked, savory meals that yield health benefits and leftovers. Delicious, savory winter-recipe ingredients that will surely satisfy are white beans and Oso Sweet Onions, an onion grown at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Onions are not only believed to be a cancer preventative, their low-salt, low-fat health benefits are the proactive equivalent to superhero powers. Onions have 25 compounds that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent thrombosis, inhibit strokes and battle heart disease, says the American Heart Association. Plus, the antioxidants and flavonoids found in onions don't lose their potency once cooked. This makes them ideal for slow-cooked recipes. They add a punch of flavor and a whopping serving size, making them an affordable luxury during the chilly winter months. Use the following recipe for a tasty detour from your typical red chili. Oso White Bean Chili 1 bag dried white beans 2 Oso Sweet Onions 1/2 cup Garlic (chopped) 1 pound ground chicken or turkey 1 cup celery (chopped) 1 tsp Oregano 1/4 cup Olive oil 2 each large green mild chili (deseeded) 2 quarts chicken stock or water (to cover) 2 tsp Cumin Saute onions, garlic, celery, chilies, chicken/turkey for 10 minutes on medium heat. Add half of the chicken stock. Then add salt, pepper, oregano and cumin and simmer for 45 minutes. Then adjust with the remaining chicken stock. Combine all ingredients in crock pot or large heavy-bottomed pot, bring to a boil and then simmer overnight, or 8 hours. Puree 1 cup beans for a thicker chili and serve. Garnish with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, tarragon or basil, chopped Tabasco peppers, raw chopped Oso Sweet onions or hot sauce. For info about sweet onions, visit www.ososweetonions.com.

Every Car Needs a Little TLC ? How to Maximize Vehicle Life

Every Car Needs a Little TLC ? How to Maximize Vehicle Life (NewsUSA) - During the winter months, cold weather gives way to the warm, fuzzy feelings brought on by the presence of that certain special someone. But it's not just your significant other that deserves attention -- your hard-working vehicle needs some extra TLC as well. Tires Plus offers a few tips to keep your vehicle running strong: * Listen to each other. Keep your engine properly tuned. A vehicle that has a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can decrease gas mileage by as much as 40 percent. A single misfiring spark plug can cut fuel economy by up to 4 percent. * Keep your vehicle refreshed. Change the engine oil. Use the recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle, and change it according to your vehicle owner's manual, which usually says every three months or 3,000 miles. Prolonged driving without an oil change may cause severe engine damage. Regularly check your vehicle's fluid levels, including transmission, power steering, windshield washer and coolant. * Keep in constant contact. Maintain your tires. Check inflation pressure monthly, and make sure your tires are properly balanced. Don't forget to rotate your tires according to the maintenance schedule and have the alignment checked at least once a year. * Be considerate. Use good driving habits. Accelerating quickly and stopping abruptly can prematurely wear your vehicle's engine, transmission, tires and brakes. Aggressive driving also wastes gas. * Protect it from the elements. Keep the exterior washed and waxed to preserve the paint finish and protect your vehicle from the environment. Salt, water, sand and even de-icing chemicals on the road can cause rust or other damage to a vehicle. Every relationship takes work, even the one you have with your car. Never underestimate how far a little tender loving care toward your vehicle can go!