B2 The Dawson springs progress Thursday, april 26, 2012 New Favorite Ball Player Is Jabari Parker Kentucky is in the rearview mirror. onship celebration, a women’s team and lost to the hated Yankees 15-9. Coach Joker phillips’ sunny spin that’s winning big and baseball club Cost? after a closed door meeting SportS In KentucKy following the Blue-white game ranked no. 1 in america, football with brass, Valentine got a vote of was counter-balanced by fans who at Kentucky may have returned to confidence. Uh-oh. siege mentality, grumblings about next big buzz sanity, stability, student-athlete- have forgotten the good vibe from √ In Phoenix, NHL forward Raffi words for college ism. wow. My new favorite ball play- the Tennessee-finish last november. no respect and, “we’re gonna prove beyond er, Jabari parker. and, grumpy players have returned to everybody wrong.” Torres suffered his own brain hic- the nCaa wink- BEST UK TEAM EVER? “we’re gonna prove people wrong.” and, by late summer preseason cup. The Coyote forward put such a and-nod sell-out is University of Kentucky’s and “we don’t get any respect.” football magazines will show up and cheap shot hit on Marian hossa, he to one and done- national championship team the best Uh-oh. the coach’s name at Kentucky will be was suspended for 25 games. price to ism: Jabari park- in school history? Considering the To accentuate positives, phillips found in the hot seat section. pay? Torres forfeits $21,341 per game er, a 6-8, 220- -centered emphasis on spoke glowingly about tight ends APRIL: SCREW-UP MONTH? missed in salary. pound 17-year- team that produced a 38-2 record and and go-to-guys (receivers), and buzz not the best of months, april. √ In Los Angeles, NBA thug Ron old hoops prod- nCaa crown no. 8, the easy answer words to sell season tickets — he income tax deadlines aside some of artest a.k.a Metta world peace, stuck BoB Watkins igy at ’s would be yes. expects UK’s offense to average 80 us in sports are suffering red-face an elbow into an ear belonging to simeon Career But the right answer is no. plays, 45 will be pass attempts. embarrassment times... academy. Based on the same criteria, plus The good news — sophomore √ In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cous- James harden, was ejected and awaits across the board, parker could be one, the best team in UK history Maxwell smith tightened his grip on ins shot his mouth off about nBa what will be a sizable fine from David the next anthony Davis. remains the Fabulous Five, 1947- the quarterback job, completing 29 officials. it cost him $25,000. stern. according to an 48. one senior, three juniors and for 45 passes. not-so-good news — √ In Miami, Marlins manager √ At the bottom of April’s brain story last week, parker is a team man a sophomore ran the table in seC the secondary smith picked apart for ozzie guillen, native Venezeulan, hiccup food chain? Me. on court, solid kid off it, and part of a regular season and tournament, won 343 yards and two touchdown passes, told a magazine reporter Fidel Castro Last week in this space i saluted family that puts a premium on Bible the nCaa crown, became part of the belongs to Kentucky also. is a great guy. a brain hiccup that cost Tyler Zeller’s return to indiana’s bas- study and “put the Lord first,” poster good news — phillips likes his all- him a five-game suspension without U.s. olympics team in London and ketball roster next season, opting out on his bedroom wall. brought home gold medals. new linebackers. not-so-good-news: pay and a club-ordered apology to perfect caliber player for Kentucky, UK’s record book lists the Fabu- Danny Trevathian isn’t one of them. Miami’s Cuban population. of the nBa June draft. oops. Cody right? wrong. lous Five as nCaa champions and and, none has an seC-level resumé. √ In Tuscaloosa, Alabama Univer- Zeller will be back for the hoosiers it bodes ill for John Calipari’s world Champions. it leaves fans to wonder if phillips sity put its BCs national champion- next season while brother Tyler fin- recruiting chances, and a few Big Blue Footnote: a Kentucky-linked return is whistling past the graveyard. ship crystal football on display after ishes at north Carolina and stands for nation zealots. here comes the best to an olympics in London is possible. These items aside, the real elephant the spring game. a fan tripped on a the nBa draft. part about parker: “he and his parents College player of the year anthony in the room mystery to be solved is: rug, sent the football crashing to a a stream of gotcha! e-mails came insist that being famous, even making Davis should be a prime candidate to Can Kentucky find a replacement for gazillion pieces. it cost $30,000 to from readers to point out the error of a lot of money isn’t the focus,” wrote replace . its field position man? punter ryan replace it and a crimson red face for my ways. Thank you. andrew seligman. “They all vow that Maybe anthony Davis fans should Tydlacka averaged 43.2 yards on 80 the fan. april — The month for screw- Jabari will earn a college degree, one lobby coach to kicks last year, flipping field posi- √ At Fenway Park, the Red Sox way or another, in a world where the include him on the U.s. olympic tion by half virtually every time. stay manager Bobby Valentine popped his ups. starting five for national champion team roster. tuned. jaws about Kevin Youkilis’ intensity and so it goes. Kentucky all left school just weeks BLUE-WHITE NOTES phillips won’t say it, but frus- and had to apologize. next, the sox You can reach Bob watkins at sprt- after claiming the title.” another spring football game at trated by another basketball champi- took a 9-0 lead into the sixth inning [email protected]. kentucky afield outdoors Wildlife Survival Depends Greatly On Available Habitat (Editor’s note: This is the gram coordinator for the Ken- pact on the number of animals 2010 interview for ‘Kentucky a victim of changes in land use, egy was to find a source of fourth installment of an occa- tucky Department of Fish and that can be supported by the Afield’ magazine. “They make farming practices and other animals, live trap and relocate sional series on wildlife man- wildlife resources. “in poor habitat. their nests in tall, old trees or factors. them. The amount of deer habi- agement topics) habitat, does have smaller along the ohio river, and in snags.” “Bobwhite recovery has tat available was never a ques- fawns and may have twins, but southeastern Kentucky, where Because of the number of always presented a unique tion. By usually both don’t survive.” counties are heavily forested, large reservoirs built statewide challenge to biologists chang- For landowners there are art Lander Jr. what makes good wildlife deer are dependent on mast, since the 1940s, eagle habitat is ing the attitudes of people in many benefits to be derived habitat? such as acorns, as their main more widespread in Kentucky order to effect the changes to from an active habitat man- The importance of habitat to “if there’s land in all stages food source. than during the 18th century the landscape that are neces- agement program. The conser- wildlife is fundamental. of plant succession – mature “hunters see more deer with pre-settlement era. This results sary for the game bird’s recov- vation of soil and water; the habitat provides all the in- forest, young forest, brush, and fawns following a good mast in a wider distribution of eagles ery,” said Kentucky Fish and creation of quality forage that gredients necessary for wildlife open land – in close proximity, crop and it’s reflected in the in Kentucky. wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon boosts soil fertility and pro- to live and thrive: food, water there’s good wildlife poten- harvest,” said Brunjes. The ruffed grouse and bob- gassett, a lifelong quail hunter. vides food for livestock; and the and the cover to escape preda- tial,” said Ben robinson, small some wildlife species have white quail are two upland “Until we restore that habitat, improvement of stands of hard- tors while raising a family. game biologist for Kentucky very specific habitat needs. A game bird species whose popu- the foothold of the quail will be wood timber all benefit wild- The health and vigor of Fish and wildlife. “Cover is good example is the bald eagle, lations in Kentucky have de- tenuous at best “ life and the landowner. Timber wildlife populations is often di- often the limiting factor. if you which now nests all across clined in recent decades due to other species are habitat presents a renewable resource rectly correlated to the quality stop mowing and let an area Kentucky. a loss of habitat. “generalists,” able to thrive in of great economic value. of the habitat. grow up, the natural seed bank “eagles typically nest close The success of grouse is tied a variety of vegetative condi- To fully reach the potential “in good habitat, does breed will provide plenty of food for to water, where there’s a good to early successional stages of tions. of wildlife habitat, it’s impor- at 1 1/2 years of age and have wildlife.” supply of fish,” said Ken- growth in forests. as wood- “The white-tailed deer is tant to develop a management twins every year as an adult,” The amount and variety of tucky Fish and wildlife avian lands mature, it is harder for the poster child of habitat gen- plan, establish work projects said Tina Brunjes, deer pro- food available has a direct im- Biologist Kate heyden, in a grouse to find the conditions eralists,” said Brunjes. “Deer and decide which wildlife spe- they need. can adapt to cities and sub- cies will be a priority in the “grouse prefer young for- urbs, a mix of open land and management plan. ests, with a high stem density woodlands, even swamps and Consult your local private that provide food (seeds and sloughs. The only two places lands wildlife biologist for ad- berries) and nesting cover deer can’t live year-round in vice and technical guidance on (underbrush),” said robinson. Kentucky are a parking lot and habitat improvements on your “our forests lack that compo- in the middle of a lake. They land. Visit the department’s nent.” are survivors and that’s one of web site at fw.ky.gov. Click The bobwhite quail is an the challenges as a deer man- on Maps and online services, iconic gamebird that requires ager.” then other KDFwr Maps, grassland habitat. This is now During deer restoration, then wildlife private Lands Bi- absent from most of the state, which ended in 1999, the strat- ologists.

STUDENTS in Cindy Crider’s art classes assisting animal control officer Charles Gentry in the loading of the miniature dog houses to be delivered throughout the county to be used as collection boxes for the Hopkins County Humane Society are (from left) Felicia Yeisley, Aaron Cummins, Sarah Huddleston, Tyler Adams, Jerimiah Adams and Ryan Anglin. Looking on is Goldie, a rescue dog. Deadline Nears For Kentucky Elk Hunt The deadline to apply for elk hunters using a firearm hunters can select from Kentucky’s hunt of a lifetime is were successful. even when among four different elk permits: fast approaching. using more challenging archery firearms bull, archery bull, fire- hunters have until midnight equipment, 68 percent of hunt- arms cow elk or archery cow elk. (eastern time) april 30 to apply ers took their bull. Thirty-seven while hunters may apply for two for a Kentucky elk hunt. The percent of cow elk archery hunt- different permits, they can only quota hunt drawing for an elk ers were successful in 2011, but be drawn for one of those per- permit is open to residents and the success rate climbed to 73 mits. each application costs $10. non-residents. percent for cow elk hunters us- Kentucky Fish and wildlife Kentucky will issue 900 ing a firearm. will issue 135 permits to hunt a general quota hunt permits this Brunjes said 2012 will be a bull with a firearm through the year, an increase of 100 permits superb season for hunters wish- general quota hunt this season. over the 2011 season. Ken- ing to put the highest quality The department will issue 90 tucky’s elk herd is expected to meat on their family’s table. bull archery permits, 265 cow surpass 10,000 animals by fall. “we had no real winter and no elk archery permits and 410 while there’s no sure thing shortage of groceries for the an- cow elk gun permits. a separate in hunting, Kentucky does offer imals,” she said. “we should be youth-only drawing will allow phenomenal odds for hunters. set up for big, healthy animals five young hunters to take a “Kentucky’s success rate for coming into the hunting season bull or a cow. Represented by: hunters is higher than you’ll and a lot of them.” Demand is highest for the see for wild elk practically Kentucky has more elk than bull firearms hunts. Cow elk anywhere else,” noted Tina all the states east of the Mis- archery hunts are in the lowest Brunjes, deer and elk program sissippi river combined. The demand, meaning this permit Harned coordinator for the Kentucky state’s 16-county elk restoration offers a hunter the best odds of Department of Fish and wild- zone encompasses more than 4 being drawn. life resources. “if hunters put million acres, nearly twice the hunters may only apply on- in a little effort, they will see size of Yellowstone national line. Visit the Kentucky Fish Insurance agency elk. if they put in a little more park. More than half a million and wildlife web site at fw.ky. effort, they will take an elk.” acres are open to public hunt- gov for more information and 101 W. Arcadia Ave. • Dawson Springs, KY 42408 Last year, 93 percent of bull ing for elk in Kentucky. to apply. (270) 797-3021 • Fax (270) 797-3041