Greetings!
Welcome to the February Edition of my newsletter. Please feel free to reply with a comment. I am always looking to improve on the content for my subscribers.
Also, visit my website
waltbethel.com
to view my listings, search for properties, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters and stories on Florida History.
Thank you,
Walt
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Hunting is ‘slowly dying off,’ and that has created a crisis for the nation’s many endangered species
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Americans’ interest in
hunting is on the decline, cutting into funding for conservation
, which stems largely from hunting licenses, permits and taxes on firearms, bows and other equipment.
Even as more people are engaging in outdoor activities,
hunting license sales have fallen
from a peak of about 17 million in the early ’80s to 15 million last year, according to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data
. The agency’s
2016 survey
suggested a steeper decline to 11.5 million Americans who say they hunt, down more than 2 million from five years earlier.
“The downward trends are clear,” said Samantha Pedder of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, which works to increase the diversity of hunters.
The resulting
financial shortfall is hitting many state wildlife agencies
.
In Pennsylvania — where the game commission gets more than 50 percent of its revenue from licenses, permits and taxes — the agency had to cancel construction projects, delay vehicle purchases and leave dozens of positions vacant, according to a
2016 report
, even as it tackled West Nile virus and tried to protect rare creatures such as the wood rat.
The
financial troubles are growing as baby boomers age out of hunting
, advocates say, and
younger generations turn instead to school sports and indoor hobbies
such as video games.
“Hunting and fishing are slowly dying off,” said John Heidler, who described himself as “a fourth-generation waterfowler.” While his children enjoy the lifestyle, he said very few of their friends do.“They say there’s not time between school and after-school activities,” he said, adding that even archery rarely leads children into hunting anymore.
Many states are devising ways to
reinvigorate hunting culture and expand the sport’s appeal
to women, minorities, and the growing number of locavores — people who seek locally sourced food. Pennsylvania, where the number of licensed hunters has dropped from 927,000 to 850,000 over the past decade, is trying to stall the decline with “R3 activities” — efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters.
For example, the state is relaxing its ban on Sunday hunting this year to increase opportunities for working families. The game commission plans to bring a food truck to community gatherings to familiarize people with eating wild game. And it will expand on
mentored outings
for young people and first-time female hunters.
The link between
hunting and conservation dates back more than a century
to when trigger-happy gunmen all but blasted the bison population to oblivion and finished off North America’s most abundant bird, the passenger pigeon.
Small wonder that hunters were asked to curb — and pay for — their excesses. Avid outdoorsmen such as Theodore Roosevelt put their stamp on an enduring ethos that combined sport with conservation and led to the 1937 passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act, which imposed an 11 percent excise tax on the sale of firearms that is apportioned annually to state agencies for conservation.
While critics say the system puts too much emphasis on hunted animals and birds, it has turned the tables for many species including the now-ubiquitous Canada goose and whitetail deer, which had been in decline.
“The species that we have funded have done very well,
” said National Wildlife Federation President Collin O’Mara,
“which means it’s a fixable problem.”
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CITRUS SPOTLIGHT
Dog Sleuths Sniff Out Crop Disease Hitting Citrus Trees
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As if we needed another reason to love man’s best friend.
Researchers think they may have found a way to sniff out a disease that is threatening Florida’s citrus industry.
A new study, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that
dogs are incredibly efficient at detecting huanglongbing
, which is also called citrus greening. The disease has been a major problem for the citrus industry since 2005, when it was found in Florida.
Citrus greening was present in Asia for decades before it made its way to the US. The disease stunts the growth of citrus trees and makes their fruit bitter and unsellable. Tens of millions of dollars have been poured into finding a solution to the problem.
Scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service have come to the rescue with this new study, in which they
trained 19 dogs from European breeders to find the deadly pathogen
. They then tested how successful these pooches were at detecting infected trees, and they found they were
about 99-percent accurate
. On the rare occasions that dogs identified a clean tree as a sick tree, the clean trees were in the same spot where a diseased plant had previously grown.
Timothy Gottwald, a plant epidemiologist and lead author of the new study, said the
dogs were able to identify disease-ridden trees as early as two weeks after being inoculated
. It can usually take months or even years before symptoms are visible. “The dogs also were
able to distinguish
the citrus greening pathogen from a variety of other citrus bacterial, viral, fungal, and spiroplasma pathogens,” he said.
Researchers say that the method of using dogs to find the disease and then removing infected trees could keep the citrus industry economically sustainable over the next 10 years.
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92ND
Annual All-Florida Championship Rodeo
"The Grandaddy' of Em All"
March 12th-15th 2020
Mosiac Arena, Arcadia
Daily
More Info:
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**HUNTING LAND AVAILABLE**
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VARIOUS ACREAGES
200-1600 ACRES
Call me 863.990.1748 for more info
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SOLD! 14+ Acres with Two Commercial Buildings
SE Hwy 31 Arcadia, FL 34266
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Total Acres: 14.9 Acres
Sold price: $1,000,000
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UNDER CONTRACT!
Three Retail/Office Units--Veterans/Peachland Intersection
701 J C Center Ct. Port Charlotte, FL 33954
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Premium retail property located at the intersection of Veterans Boulevard and Peachland Boulevard in The Vines Commercial Condominium. The units are 1,044 sq.ft. and ideal for quality retail or office space near the Kings Highway & I-75 interchange. Surrounding units are occupied with retail, office, fitness center, and a barber shop. There is tremendous opportunity for annual rental income. High traffic area with Publix, new Peachland Promenade Shopping Center nearby. All units for sale separately but can be combined for a total of 3,000+ sq.ft.
Click Unit below for more info:
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32+ Acres Kings Hwy-Quick Access to I-75
10692 SW Co Rd 769 Arcadia, FL 34269
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32 beautiful wooded acres located on Kings Highway near I-75. This property would make an ideal recreational property or a fantastic homesite with room for horses and cattle. This property is
already divided into four buildable parcels
. LOTS OF WILD GAME-Deer, Turkeys and Wild hogs. Only 2 minutes from the Nav-A-Gator Bar and Grill and County boat ramp with access to the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor. Call today to explore this unique opportunity!
Total Acres: 32.06
Listing price: $800,000
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Kings Hwy "Old Florida Village" 1/2 Acre Lot
12687 County Rd 769 Lake Suzy, FL 34269
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Just over a Half Acre commercial lot located in Old Florida Village on Kings Hwy. Relocate or start your own business adjacent to established professional office buildings that include a law firm, accounting offices, and wellness center. Located less than 1.5 miles to Interstate 75, just across the Charlotte County line. This property offers a 250 feet waterfront view of Allegiant Air’s recently purchased Kingsway Golf Course.
MLS: C7406153
Total Acres: .54
List price: $75,000
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Over 1/2 Acre in Punta Gorda City Limits
24384 Airport Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33950
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Over 1/2 Acre of commercial property situated in Punta Gorda city limits. Property is less than ¼ mile to US 41 and Publix shopping plaza, adjacent to Multifamily housing and within minutes to the fast growing Punta Gorda Airport. Zoned Neighborhood Center (NC) which allows for a multitude of options such as: office space, restaurants, commercial buildings, or multi-family housing.
MLS: C7418028
Total Acres: .61
Listing price: $349,000
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Don't Miss Your Opportunity, 30+ Acres
SW Co Rd 760 Arcadia, FL 34266
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Serene 30 Acre wooded property just off Kings Hwy abundant with wild game including hogs, deer and turkeys. A perfect place for a secluded, getaway cabin or your next home. Located in the much sought after Kings Highway (State Road 769) area with quick access to Port Charlotte, Interstate 75, or to the downtown Arcadia area. Sarasota and Gulf Beaches are just an hour away. CALL TODAY!
MLS: C7413115
Total Acres: 30.90
Listing Price: $386.500
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JUST LISTED!
Move-In Ready 3/ 2 Waterfront, pool home in the heart of Punta Gorda
310 Caicos Dr. Punta Gorda, FL 33950
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Move-In Ready 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom waterfront, pool home in the heart of Punta Gorda. Great location in Punta Gorda Isles within moments to Fisherman’s Village, the new Library, Hounds on Henry Dog Park, History Park, walking trails and more! You will have quick boating access to Charlotte Harbor with water and electric-ups at dock and a 13,000lb boat lift steps from your back door. Home features over 2,000 sq. ft. with a bright and open floor plan and tile throughout main living area. Gourmet kitchen offers breakfast bar, wood cabinetry, granite counters and an adjoining breakfast nook overlooking the pool. Cathedral ceilings, French doors, decorative built in shelves and arched windows are perfect architectural enhancements. Master Suite has private access to the lanai, a large bath with separate walk-in shower, dual sinks and an oversized walk-in closet. Formal living room, a dining room, separate family room, and two guest rooms complete the home with pool/canal views from almost every room. Plenty of space for outdoor entertaining with 12x12 brick paver decking, a heated pool with waterfall features and solar cover, outdoor shower, raised sun deck, and an enclosed screen pool cage. Lush landscaping leads you down to the water and surrounds the home. Your ideal Florida retreat awaits!
Total Sq Ft: 2,088
Listing price: $549,000
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Walt Bethel is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues.
He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two children, a daughter Peyton and a son Truman.
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