Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, September 23-September 29, 2021 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 One of the best places to put up a tree stand or blind, is in a funnel. A funnel is a small area where two or more ridges run out or down into a small hollow or trail. If you can imagine the dip between two crests, you will understand what a funnel is. It is basically the easiest route for deer, or any other animal, to travel. And like you and I, most animals look for what takes the least effort and expends the least amount of energy. Not only does this apply to travel routes, but it also applies to food. Just watch any bear or raccoon and you will see how they will opt for a free and easy meal even if it is found in your garage or trash can. And, as you also know as well, it is these easy meals that cause many of these critters, to be caught or killed. While we admire some of the special characteristics of many of the animal kingdom, in some ways they are just like us. They had rather get whatever they can with the least amount of cost. For followers of Christ, this is also a temptation. While I am the fi rst to proclaim the freedom that grace affords, in full disclosure, being a follower of Christ will at times call you to take the more diffi cult path. And at times it will cost a price others may not have to pay. You may have to give up the hate you so want to hold on to, in order to love the one who is unlovable. You may have to give up the revenge you want to exact, in order to give the forgiveness God wants you to give. You may have to give up criticism in order to show the kindness that comes from the Spirit. Sometimes, you will have to give up your opinion in order to keep your infl uence. All of these are not done so someone can applaud your goodness, but for the hope that someone will embrace your savior. And we all should ask the question, "What am I willing to give up so that more people would choose Jesus?" This sounds simple. Some will say, "I am willing to die for my faith!" But that is the easy part. The real question is "What am I willing to live with if more would choose Jesus?" Would you live in communism if more people would choose Jesus? Would you live without the freedom to assemble? Or without free speech? Would you give up your right to own a gun? Or to hunt? You see, the decision to live for our faith, is sometimes more sacrifi cial than the decision to die for it. And it may be a better refl ection of the priority my faith holds in my life. The faith funnels are easy and predictable. But they are not the path we may always be able to take. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Contact me to speak at your next event. www.outdoortruths.org gary@outdoortruths.org GARY MILLER Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. 2019 E. Marion St. • Beside Cleveland Mall M-F 9am-5pm • Sat 9am-12pm MAYSE MFG. CO., INC. www.maysemfg.com www.maysemfg.com Metal building's Metal building's starting at starting at $ 1160 1160 ©Community First Media Community First Media Finance & Rent To Own Storage Buildings, Gazebos, Carports, Garden Flags, Man Cave Decor, Concrete Statuary, Concrete Steps, & Poly Outdoor Furniture! We are a We are a Big Green Egg Distributor Big Green Egg Distributor. . Grills • Accessories • Supplies Grills • Accessories • Supplies Now offering carports/garages Now offering carports/garages up to 60 ft. wide & 20 ft. walls up to 60 ft. wide & 20 ft. walls @mayse_mfg Shelby 704-471-2077 The Carolina Bass Club fi shed Lake Lookout on September 18, 2021. 17 anglers showed up. Here are the tournament results: 1st place- the team of Doyle Hudson and Brian Branch had a 5 fi sh limit weighing 11.45 pounds. Brian also caught the big fi sh of the day weighing in a 6.24 pound large mouth. 2nd place- the team of Phil Murray and Dean Ford with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 7.54 pounds. 3rd place- the team of Jimmy Melton and Derek Barkley with a 5 fi sh limit that weighed 6.14 pounds. Richard Young caught the second biggest fi sh of the day that weighed 2.71 pounds. The Carolina Bass Club fi shes Lake Hickory October 16, 2021. Article Provided By: Rutherford County Carolina Bass Club Fishing Report Lucas Gilbert, Age 6 Lucas Gilbert, Age 6 Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner NC Wildlife Resources Commission offi cials announced today that the outbreak affecting songbirds since May 2020 seems to be subsiding and, thanks to diligent reporting by North Carolina residents, it appears not to have notably impacted birds in our state. The mysterious disease was reported in mostly mid-Atlantic and midwestern states, and as far south as Virginia with a few cases in Florida. It affected mostly larger-bodied songbird fl edglings, such as blue jays, American robins, European starlings and common grackles. Diseased birds showed an unusual set of symptoms beginning with crusty, swollen eyes that progressed into tremors, an inability to maintain balance and other neurological problems that ultimately ended in death despite best efforts to treat the birds. Multiple state wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and wildlife diagnostic labs have collaboratively tracked the outbreak to try and identify a cause, however its source remains a mystery. Hypothetical causes ranging from the Brood X cicada emergence to a variety of viruses, bacteria and parasites have all been ruled out. In North Carolina, lab results of deceased birds that were reported by the public indicate malnutrition and physical trauma as the cause of death – common hazards for young, inexperienced birds. Additional lab reports are still pending, but biologists don't anticipate any novel fi ndings. Other reports of sick songbirds in North Carolina mostly involved fi nches showing signs of common birdfeeder diseases, such as avian conjunctivitis and salmonella poisoning. Reports of other species concluded more typical causes of death, including windows strikes and moving vehicles. Most songbird-related calls to the Wildlife Commission these days are people wanting to know if it's safe to put their bird feeders back up. If you decide to reinstall your bird feeder, it's advised to commit to sterilizing your feeders often. Frequent cleaning will help to prevent the spread of common bird diseases such as avian conjunctivitis, salmonella poisoning and aspergillosis in hummingbirds. Salmonella can also make people sick, so feeders should never be cleaned in the same area where food is prepared. Songbird feeders should be sanitized every two weeks, and more often in wet or humid conditions. Wildlife offi cials advise: • Remove all remaining seed and scrub off any debris. • Soak feeder in a bleach solution of one-part household bleach to nine-parts water for 10 minutes. • Dry the feeder completely before refi lling. Hummingbird feeders should be sanitized at least once a week, and more often in wet or humid conditions. Wildlife offi cials advise: • Soak feeder in a bleach solution of one-part household bleach to nine-parts water for 10 minutes. • Dry the feeder completely before refi lling. • Fill with a solution of sugar water, which is one-part table sugar to four-parts water, with no added dyes or any other form of natural or artifi cial sweetener. Biologists will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public as more information is available. In the meantime, remove bird feeders immediately if sick or dead birds are found near the area and contact the NC Wildlife Helpline for instructions Mon.-Fri., 8am–4pm, at 866- 318-2401 or ncwildlife.org. If you handle a deceased bird, wear gloves or use an inverted plastic bag. Dispose of the bird in a sealed bag in the household trash or bury it deeply. Keep pets, including pet birds, and kids away from sick or dead wild birds. If you'd like to consider an alternative to bird feeders to attract birds and other wildlife to your property, the Wildlife Commission's Extension Biologist, Falyn Owens, suggests establishing natural foods by planting native trees, shrubs, and fl owers. "When it comes to contagious diseases, birds are no different than other wildlife – when they regularly gather in one spot to eat from the same "plate", they're also sharing germs can spread diseases to one another," stated Owens. "Native plants are natural sources of food for birds. They provide seeds, nuts, nectar, berries, and support the native insects that most songbirds need to survive their fi rst few weeks of life. Plant life also allows birds to feed without congregating around a single food source, reducing the risk of disease transmission." Fall is an excellent time for planting. Native plants that benefi t birds can be found on the Audubon North Carolina website. Article by: ncwildlife.org. Photo: Shutterstock, Ramona Edwards The mysterious disease mostly affected mostly larger-bodied songbird fl edglings, such as American robins. Thankfully, it appears not to have notably impacted birds in North Carolina. Wildlife Commission Gives Update on Mysterious Songbird Disease

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