A sad sign of the times out west

Times certainly have changed, and I'm not sure it's for the better.

A teenage hunter in Montana is facing a school hearing in a few days that could derail her college plans, career hopes and even risk her identification as a “domestic terrorist” after she inadvertently parked in a school parking lot with a hunting rifle locked in a case inside her car trunk.

I understand that many school administrators are overly cautious with any issue related to firearms.

Gary Marbut, a spokesman for the Montana Shooting Sports Foundation noted that Demarie DeReu, 16, is an honor roll student, a member of the Columbia Falls High School student council and a varsity cheerleader. She's also a hunter.

“Although she had no intent to break any rules or laws, or harm anyone, Demarie is at risk of having her college education derailed and maybe even being identified forever as a domestic terrorist,” Marbut said.

It was over Thanksgiving that she went hunting with family and friends, but when she returned home she forgot her unloaded hunting rifle was cased and locked in the trunk of her car.

Fishing report:

It seems like just yesterday I put away my ice-fishing gear and got ready for soft-water angling. Oh, well, here we go again.

Fox Chain: Back channel activity OK if you can find access. Panfish good on those channels, but watch for thin ice in many areas.

Port Barrington: See main column.

Lake Michigan: Perch fishing is very good, if the soft-water crowd can handle the finger-numbing cold. Navy Pier has been producing decent catches.