Tag: investigation

Oregon elk hunter shoots and kills wolf, prompting investigation

An elk hunter in Oregon has reported killing a wolf in self-defense, prompting wildlife officials to investigate.

An elk hunter in Oregon has reported killing a wolf in self-defense, prompting wildlife officials to launch an investigation.

The Oregon State Police stated Monday that the hunter claimed to have been threatened by the wolf as he tracked elk on Nov. 2 along a ridge in Grant County.

The hunter told OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers that the wolf emerged from the trees and stared him down as he yelled and waved his arms in an attempt to frighten the animal.

“The wolf then reportedly looked at the hunter from a distance of approximately 30 yards and started coming directly toward the hunter,” OSP described in a news release. “The hunter stated he feared for his safety and fired one round, striking the wolf and killing it instantly.”

Troopers who visited the scene determined that the wolf was about 18 yards from the hunter when he shot the animal. A second wolf also emerged but ran off after the hunter fired into the air.

Wolves are protected in Oregon and there is no general sport-hunting season for the animals.

OSP said a report on the incident will be submitted to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office.

The agency added: “Preliminary investigation revealed the hunter acted reasonably in shooting the wolf for personal safety and appropriately notified officials immediately upon shooting the wolf.”

–Generic wolf image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Search fails to locate grizzly bear responsible for Montana attack

A Montana field investigation following the Sept. 8 mauling of a man by a grizzly bear has failed to locate a dead or injured bear.

A Montana field investigation following the Sept. 8 mauling of a man by a grizzly bear has failed to locate the bear believed responsible for the attack.

Rudy Noorlander was seriously injured during the attack in the Madison Range south of Big Sky. He remains in critical but stable condition.

One of Noorlander’s companions fired at the bear moments after it attacked, causing the animal to flee.

KateLynn Noorlander, Rudy’s daughter, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for medical costs. She stated that her father was trying to help hunters locate a deer they had shot when the bear charged him during a surprise encounter.

“Rudy aimed his gun at the bear but his firearm misfired, making his best choice of defense his fists as he did not have any time to get his bear spray from his backpack,” KateLynn stated in the GoFundMe post.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks explained Wednesday in a news release that an aerial search failed to locate a dead or injured bear.

“FWP grizzly bear specialists and game wardens, as well deputies from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, revisited the attack site Tuesday,” FWP stated. “They searched the area near the attack site from the ground and with an infrared drone and didn’t locate a dead or wounded bear.

“However, they found signs of high bear activity, including the remains of a cached animal carcass, whitebark pine middens and bear scat. This evidence indicates the bear attacked defensively in a surprise, close encounter with the victim.”

The investigation has concluded but the area remains under an emergency closure implemented by the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Colts player under investigation for potential gambling violations

An unnamed Colts player is under investigation for gambling violations.

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An unnamed Indianapolis Colts player is under investigation for potentially violating the NFL’s gambling policy, first reported by Matt Rybaltowski of Sports Handle on Monday.

The Colts released a statement acknowledging the league’s investigation but had no further comment.

According to the report from Sports Handle, the player in question is under investigation for placing wagers on his own team and “appears to have made the wagers through an account opened by an acquaintance.”

More from the initial report:

Amid the NFL’s ongoing investigation of a wave of potential violations of its sports betting policy, Sports Handle has learned that a player for the Indianapolis Colts is under investigation for what a source called “pervasive” wagering activities.

While the new allegations around the Colts appear to be “isolated to one player,” there is evidence the Colts player placed hundreds of wagers, the source told Sports Handle on the condition of anonymity. At least some of the wagers, the source told Sports Handle on Sunday, were placed on the Colts.

This isn’t the first time the league has cracked down when it comes to violations of the gambling policy.

Earlier this offseason, four players on the Detroit Lions roster, along with several staff members, were suspended for violating the policy, as well.

We should get clarification on the issue soon so this will certainly be something to monitor.

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Bear kills dog in Jasper National Park, a warning for pet owners

The mauling of a dog by a bear Saturday in Canada’s Jasper National Park underscores the risk associated with bringing pets into the wilderness.

The fatal mauling of a dog by a bear Saturday in Canada’s Jasper National Park underscores the risk associated with bringing pets into the wilderness.

Parks Canada, which manages the country’s national parks, confirmed Monday that a black bear attacked and killed one of two dogs being walked by visitors on the Wabasso Lake Trail.

Jasper National Park, in Alberta, described the incident in a news release: “They were approached at close range by a black bear and the bear attacked one of the dogs. The hikers then deployed bear spray in an effort to deter the bear.”

RELATED: Black bear breaks into nature center, kills famous deer

Parks Canada did not mention the type of dog or whether its was illegally allowed off-leash. But Jasper National Park stated: “This is a sad reminder that all pets should be kept under control and on-leash at all times within a national park.”

A team of human-wildlife confrontation experts responded to the incident, which remains under investigation. The area is closed while experts try to locate the bear involved in the attack.

–Generic black bear image courtesy of Alan D. Wilson

How the Washington Commanders allegedly scammed ticket holders and the NFL, explained

Snyder may have finally broken the camel’s back.

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Are you confused as to why people are talking about the Washington Commanders allegedly hiding revenue from the NFL? We’re here to help.

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Reform laid out a troubling case to Lina M. Khan, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission. The Washington Commanders, under the supervision of team owner Daniel Snyder, have allegedly been the backdrop of decades of unlawful accounting that withheld millions of dollars owed to season ticket owners and hid money from the NFL’s revenue sharing system.

It’s a stunning report, but not a surprising one given the ongoing circus that has defined the Washington football franchise in the Snyder era. It could lead to serious discipline — and potential criminal charges — for Commanders’ leadership.

The 20-page letter, CC’ed to the Attorneys General of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. as well as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, alleges years of shady accounting that intentionally withheld $5 million in refundable security deposits from an estimated 2,000 fans. The team also purposefully misreported ticket sales in order to hide it from the league’s revenue-sharing program. It’s the latest accusation for a franchise defined by its toxic work culture and unavoidable failure at most levels.

Let’s talk about what that letter entails.

Montana elk hunters kill grizzly bear in self-defense

Hunters in Montana claim to have killed a grizzly bear recently in self-defense as they processed an elk carcass in the backcountry.

Hunters in Montana shot and killed a grizzly bear recently in what they described as a self-defense encounter as they processed an elk carcass in the backcountry.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in a news release Wednesday that “a small group of hunters” shot the bear as the animal charged toward them on Oct. 3 east of Gardiner.

The hunters were not injured and the incident is under investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Deer hopelessly tangled in hammock gets helping hand

The encounter occurred during Montana’s early rifle-hunting season in Hunting District 316. The bear was a 3- to 5-year-old female without cubs.

It was not clear how quickly the hunters had acted in processing the elk carcass to avoid attracting grizzly bears. Bears are extremely active at this time of year as they try to add calories before hibernating.

“Activities that are deliberately quiet or fast moving, such as hunting, mountain biking or trail running, put people at greater risk for surprising a bear,” Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated. “Bears will be active throughout the general hunting season.”

–Grizzly bear image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Dan Snyder isn’t selling the Washington Football Team, but buying more of it

Among endless calls for him to sell the team, Washington owner Dan Snyder is working to buy more shares and become the sole owner.

After a tumultuous 2020 left Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder changing the name of his team and at the center of several lawsuits that involved both infighting in the front office and sexual harassment allegations, there were many calls from the fan base for him to sell his stake of the team, and even multiple part-owners looking to cash out as well.

Instead of selling the team and giving many fans what they want, Snyder is doing the exact opposite; he is now working to buy the remaining shares and become the sole owner, according to multiple reports.

Here is the explainer from the New York Times on Wednesday morning:

Support for Snyder’s purchase comes as the N.F.L.’s investigation into sexual harassment claims made against former Washington Football Team executives concludes. In the coming days, Commissioner Roger Goodell may address the findings collected by Beth Wilkinson, a Washington-based lawyer whom Snyder hired last summer to investigate after several Washington Post articles reported widespread sexual harassment of women who worked for the team over a 15-year span. The N.F.L. took over her investigation from Snyder.

So one of the most controversial owners in the NFL, a man who is at the center of multiple lawsuits and an ongoing investigation into sexual harassment under his watch, is being made more power, and the NFL is encouraging it? Yep, that’s what it sounds like.

However, this new move, if approved by the rest of the NFL owners next week, would not mean that the investigation from Beth Wilkinson is over.

There is still a chance that the owners do not reach an agreement in a vote to allow this, but that seems unlikely, considering the NFL is one of the parties pushing for this.

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Report: Washington’s cheerleading director removed as team brings in rebranding consultant

Washinton has put a pause on its cheerleading team after Jamilla Keene, the Cheerleading Director, was removed from her position.

A new report shows that the Washington Football Team is putting a pause on its cheerleading program, with the Cheerleading Director, Jamilla Keene, being removed from her position.

According to the report from WUSA9, the program say they are re-envisioning the program and are going to take the team to another form. The team is bringing in a consultant from Carnival Cruise for rebranding, according to the source.

This news comes after a months-long investigation into the team’s alleged mistreatment of female employees. There were stories of cheerleaders being mistreated and asked to do things by ownership that led to sexual harassment allegations. Haynes reports that it is not clear if the removal of Keene has anything to do with the investigation, which is reportedly coming to an end.

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The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s free agency, explained

This could be bad, or it could be nothing.

Back in 2019 after Kawhi Leonard helped the Toronto Raptors win their first title in franchise history, it felt like everyone knew he probably wasn’t going to stay.

It was reported that he had always had intentions of going home to LA to play for either the Lakers or the Clippers — we just didn’t know which one. Ultimately, he ended up with the Clippers.

But it allegedly may have come with a bit of improper help, according to recent accusations. The NBA is launching an investigation into the Clippers’ recruitment of Leonard that offseason, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, after a man named Johnny Wilkes claimed Jerry West owed him $2.5 for swaying the All-Star forward their way.

Yup. That’s a lot. Don’t worry. It’s all explained right here.

Wait, what???

Yes, you read that all correctly. The NBA is investigating the Clippers to see if Wilkes had a hand in helping West and the Clippers land Leonard in 2019 after he left the Raptors.

Wilkes is claiming that he was promised $2.5 million from the organization for information on Leonard that would’ve helped them recruit him.

Alright. Who is Johnny Wilkes?

Wilkes claims to be best friends with Kawhi Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, who is also his agent. He also claims to be fairly close with Kawhi Leonard himself. He and Robertson were high school basketball teammates.

Why is Wilkes suing the Clippers?

Wilkes says that Jerry West had an oral agreement with him to pay $2.5 million to pass on information about Kawhi Leonard to help the team recruit him in free agency.

He said that he informed West that he was close to Leonard in April of 2019, according to a report from ESPN, and that he could provide them with pivotal information to recruit Leonard. He also said that he got to work recruiting Leonard for the Clippers as soon as the Raptors won a title in 2019.

What information is he saying he gave the Clippers?

Wilkes claims he told the Clippers they could sell Leonard on four separate points.

First, they needed to trade for Paul George to get Leonard to sign with them. Second, they had to promise Kawhi that he’d have a great life as a Clipper and they’d take care of him after basketball. Third, they had to promise to do whatever it takes to beat LeBron James. And, finally, they’d have to fund a $100 million marketing campaign for Leonard that included getting his uncle a house in Southern California with a travel expense.

Wait, a house for his uncle? Wasn’t that a thing before?

It was! The NBA actually investigated that last year, Amick reports. The investigation didn’t turn anything up, but they did say they’d reopen it if there were any further leads that came forward. This might be considered one of those leads.

Have the Clippers said anything about this?

Yes. The Clippers say the lawsuit is filled with “inaccuracies and baseless allegations.” They released a statement condemning it.

Has Kawhi said anything?

He says Wilkes had absolutely nothing to do with him coming to the Clippers.

He basically hit us with the Keke Palmer “I don’t know this man.”

So what happens if the NBA finds Wilkes is telling the truth?

Well, we don’t really know. But it certainly won’t be good. It looks like the Clippers may have violated the NBA’s “Other Indirect Contact” free agency rule, per ESPN.

“The NBA’s investigation would pertain to “Other Indirect Contact” as detailed under Article 35A (3) of the NBA constitution, which “prohibits indirect communications, such as those made through intermediaries.” The Clippers could be fined up to $10 million and lose draft picks if they are found to have violated the rule.”

So, yeah, Clippers fans. This could get bad, or it could be nothing.

Probe launched after hunters kill protected grizzly bears

A federal investigation has been launched after two grizzly bears were killed by black bear hunters last week near Great Falls, Montana.

A federal investigation has been launched after two grizzly bears were killed by black bear hunters last week near Great Falls, Montana.

Grizzly bears are federally protected and the investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Neither agency is offering specific details, pending results of the investigation.

However, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) issued a news release stating that the hunters killed one male and one female grizzly bear during the black bear season. No cubs were found.

RELATED: Hunter in Hawaii catches python – why that’s a big deal

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season ended May 31 in some regions, but continues through June 15 in other regions.

It remains unclear whether the hunters thought they were shooting at black bears, but “correct identification is critical,” FWP stated.

In Montana, hunters must pass a test to make sure they can tell the difference between the two species before they are issued hunting tags. The test consists of 15 multiple-choice questions and hunters must answer at least 12 correctly to receive a certificate of completion.

FWP noted that color and size are not clear indications. Black bears are sometimes lighter in color, and grizzly bears can look black. Grizzly bears are sometimes smaller than adult black bears.

“Grizzly bears are expanding into more places in Montana, and we are also heading outdoors in higher numbers right now, which means it is more important than ever to review bear safety and identification tips,” FWP cautioned.

–Grizzly bear images (top two) are via Wikipedia; black bear image is courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service