From the Field

Wounded buck attacks hunter

A Sedalia, Mo., hunter bagged a big buck on the second day of firearms season, but the kill caused him a lot of pain.

Randy Goodman, 49, said he thought two well-placed shots with his .270-caliber rifle had killed the buck on Nov. 19.

Goodman said the deer looked dead, but seconds later the nine-point, 240-pound animal came to life.

The buck rose, knocked Goodman down and attacked him with his antlers. The deer then ran a short distance and went down and died after Goodman fired two more shots.

Soon Goodman started feeling dizzy and noticed his vest was soaked in blood.

So he reached his truck and drove to a hospital, where he received seven staples in his scalp and was treated for a slight concussion and bruises.

Gift ideas from wildlife commission

This holiday season, be kind to wildlife and your budget by shopping at www.ncwildstore.com.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's online N.C. Wild Store carries a wide variety of products that cost under $40. Even better, proceeds from many products go to support a correlating wildlife project or program, according to a recent commission release.

Proceeds from the book and CD set "The Frogs and Toads of North Carolina" ($15) support projects that benefit nongame wildlife in North Carolina, from bog turtles in western North Carolina, to red-cockaded woodpeckers in the Sandhills to loggerhead seaturtles along the coast. Likewise, sales from the "Trout Fishing Maps of North Carolina" ($12) go to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's six trout hatcheries and stocking program.

More than 70 products are new this year, and others are perennial favorites that appeal to hunters, anglers and other wildlife enthusiasts of all ages.

One new publication sure to get that avid angler on your gift-giving list off the couch and on the water is the "Fisherman's Guide to the Fishes of the Southeastern United States," reprinted from the hugely popular 1984 edition. The 362-page hard-cover book ($39.95) includes information on 250 fish species, their habitats and distribution, and methods of catching and preparing fish. Fish species are illustrated by wildlife artist Duane Raver.

White-tailed deer hunters will enjoy "Twenty-Five Years of Trophy North Carolina Whitetail Deer: A Compilation of Records, Articles and Photographs," a summary of the Dixie Deer Classic trophy deer records from North Carolina from 1981 through 2007. The 103-page paperback, which sells for $15, compiles the data from nearly 11,000 deer and more than 100,000 data points that have been collected over 25 years.

Inspire youngsters to get outside and explore nature with "Lost in the Woods -- The Movie." The 40-minute video ($19.95), which won the Widescreen Panda Award for the best children's wildlife film worldwide, tells the story of an old box turtle and a lost raccoon that discover the magic of spring and learn what happens to a young fawn alone in the woods.

Birders, young and old, will appreciate copies of "The North Carolina Birding Trail -- Coastal Plain Guide" and "The North Carolina Birding Trail -- Piedmont Trail Guide," two publications that highlight 205 favorite birding sites in the Coastal and Piedmont regions. Both guides are on sale for $10 each.

Other sale-priced items include:

* Pathfinder Gift Set ($20) -- a four-piece set that includes a compass, a multi-function knife and a flashlight secured in a handy travel case featuring the exclusive N.C. Wildlife design.

* Camouflage stainless steel thermos ($24) -- a 34-ounce thermos that features a folding handle for easy portability, a detachable shoulder strap and a large, built-in serving cup.