Jamul Indians to revive casino plans

What to do if you find:

We recommend that you do not attempt to rescue an injured or sick raccoon yourself.  Special precautions need to be taken when dealing with this type of wild animal.  They can carry rabies and baylisascaris worms, both of which are contagious to you, and distemper which can be transmitted to your pets. The best thing to do is to keep an eye on the animal until an experienced project wildlife volunteer, or animal control arrives at the scene.

If the animal is in immediate danger, proceed very cautiously. First put on heavy leather gloves to protect yourself in case the animal bites. Even a very small baby can and will bite. Please cage it in a kennel or pet carrier (or any ventilated secure container), and place it in a warm, dark place while seeking help.

Food & Water

Do not feed a raccoon. Feeding too quickly or inappropriately can cause illness and death.

About Raccoons

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) belong to the Procyonidae (those who came before dogs family. This highly intelligent mammal has a rounded head with short nose, small ears, and a sturdy body with minimum-length, thick, grayish brown fur. Raccoons are easily identified by (1) a distinctive pattern of alternating black and yellowish white rings around a large, bushy tail and (2) a unique narrow black face mask with two white patches above the eyes. They average 2 to 3 feet long (including the tail) and 12 inches high, weigh 8 to 22 pounds (heaviest in autumn), and live for 10 to 13 years. Females produce one litter a year, numbering from one to six kits and averaging four or five.

Over most of the U.S. and southern Canada, except in the western mountain ranges, raccoons are found in many different habitats, especially near streams, ponds, and marshes in mature wooded areas. Their range is expanding further north into Canada, because of habitat lost to agriculture and the apparent warming of northern weather. As humans have moved into raccoon habitat, this mammal has proven more adaptable than most. For nesting sites it prefers warm, dry, dark, easily protected areas. In the wild, it dens in tree hollows, hollow logs, or sometimes rocky caverns. In urban areas, raccoons may nest in drainpipes, basements, crawl spaces and house attics. Raccoon populations now are actually densest in suburban and urban areas.

Raccoons will eat whatever their environment provides. In the rural environment, they eat insects, nuts, worms, frogs, shellfish, fish, mammals, birds, eggs, grubs, snakes, and fruits. In agricultural areas, they may feed on corn crops, poultry and garden and orchard vegetables and fruits. In urban settings, an easily opened garbage can is hard for them to resist. They are nocturnal but are occasionally active in daytime.

They are fairly sociable and often den with other raccoons. In colder regions, raccoons may sleep for a good portion of the winter; in the summer, they find shady, cool places to rest. They are territorial with limited private ranges, approximately 1 mile in diameter. Often their territories overlap with those of other raccoons but boundary clashes are rare. When confronting each other, they often grunt threateningly but seldom fight.

The species scientific name, lotor, means the washer, because raccoons have been observed dunking their food in water before eating it. This behavior in captivity is thought to mimic behavior in the wild, where raccoons hunt in or near water and hold their catch submerged before eating it. In the wild, they do not wash all food before eating.

Raccoons have keen senses of smell and hearing. They are strong and agile, hence good tree and fence climbers. Each foot has five long and slender digits, which operate with remarkable dexterity. In the wild, they use their front feet for finding food in water, opening shellfish, and conveying food to the mouth. In adapting to human habitat, they often apply this dexterity to opening garbage cans and pet food storage containers.

Zoologists attribute the raccoons adaptability to transmission of culture, a mammalian trait this creature has developed to a high level. The young quickly pick up new skills from adults and then can make their own adjustments or adaptations to new circumstances.

The raccoons primary enemies are humans, dog packs, traps, and automobiles. Many would-be larger predators know better than to take on an adult raccoon, a tough fighter with razor-sharp teeth. If threatened, the raccoon will often try a counter threat, fluffing out its fur so that it appears larger and uttering a throaty growl or cry. Raccoons may appear bold but usually are not aggressive except during mating season or when defending their young. However, their strength, teeth, and claws equip them to defend themselves effectively.

Raccoons are so common that you need not look far for them, and as their natural habitat shrinks, they are increasingly found in urban areas. They are night creatures and will be shy in areas where they are hunted. Where people do not pursue them with rifles and dogs, they are curious animals. Their tracks are easily identifiable, looking much like a human hand print.

Co-existing with Raccoons:

• Raccoons are curious animals and are commonly found around human habitats. To keep them out of your home:
• Secure trash can lids so that raccoons cannot get into them; keep trash cans in a shed or garage.
• Eliminate access to food in your yard—place pet food inside, secure pet doors at night, pick up fallen fruit around the garden, restrict the use of birdseed.
• If a raccoon is digging in the yard, sprinkle cayenne pepper to discourage grub-hunting.
• Trim branches that provide access to the house.
• Bright lights, loud sounds, and ammonia-soaked rags may act as deterrents.
• If you suspect that a raccoon is in your attic, under your porch, etc., you may need to contact a professional wildlife extractor. Raccoons may have their babies inside your home and you will need special equipment and skills to ensure all babies are safely removed before closing up an entrance or removing the mother from the property.

Nuisance Raccoons:

If raccoons are causing havoc to your home by building their dens in your attic or under a building, we can help! Using the animal’s natural behaviors to our advantage, we can humanely evict the mother with her young in tow and install barriers to keep them from coming back. Visit our Wildlife Extraction Page to learn more.

I have a lemon tree that is forever producing an abundance of lemons.  I took an afternoon and juiced them all.  I made lemonade and with the leftover juice I poured them into ice cube trays and froze.  Once frozen I pop them into a gallon size ziplock, label, date, and replaced in freezer for future uses.  You then have fresh lemon juice whenever needed and you will have no longer have the need to buy that little yellow plastic lemon of juice you find in the grocery store.  Fresh is the best.

Other uses that came of the juicing, was I used the pulp to clean my garbage disposal.  The second was I hulled the pulp out of the lemon and froze it so that I was able to use it at a later date to serve either lemon sorbet or rainbow sherbet.  By using the frozen lemon it helped keep the sorbet/sherbet cold and left a slight taste of fresh lemon.

Lemon ice cubes and their many uses:

• great for when you are cooking fish and need some fresh lemon
• Use over fruit with some Tajin
• Place one cube to melt in dish and use for rim on glass and dip in salt for margaritas
• Anytime you have a recipe and need fresh lemon, you can just pull cubes out of freezer
• Can use them to make fresh lemonade

Old Fashion Lemonade

• 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cups water
• Simple Syrup:  1 cup sugar and 1 cup water

Step one – place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small sauce pan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly

Step two – juice enough lemons to make 1 cup of juice

Step three – pour both 1 cup of lemon juice and the simple syrup into a pitcher, mix thoroughly

Step Four – pour four cups water into the pitcher, place in refrigerator and allow one hour to chill before serving

Recommended:  Serve in chilled glasses and garnish with lemon wedges

January 29, 2012

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MORE DOG VS GOAT KILLINGS:
Yesterday (Thursday 1/27) Adie Howe alerted us to this:
Watch out!!! Earlier today on our property (@ Spice Way) two dogs ( a rottweiler and a white large breed mix) attacked one of our goats.
They were not easily scared off by a neighbor who came over to help.
If you know these dogs’ owners please help us get in contact with them. UNTIL then-closely supervise your children, these dogs are not to be trusted.

There have been at least 3 goat killings in Deerhorn Valley. Animal experts tell us that once dogs kill, they will continue to kill. You can tell a dog kill from a coyote kill because the dogs will not feed on the carcasses. Sadly these dogs are usually family pets.

The following is from Every Dog’s Legal Guide:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/dog-book/chapter9-2.html

Sometimes, killing a dog is legally justified, and the person who does it isn’t financially liable to the dog’s owner. For example, if someone kills a dog because it is threatening to injure a person or livestock, the action is justified by law…

NEW COLLAGE ON DEERHORNVALLEY.NET: “A Morning Drive in Deerhorn”
Rob Deason records this week’s beauty in a short Deerhorn drive.

HOOPERS FIRE FUND:
I heard from neighbors of the Hoopers who lost their home on Skyline TT last month. While the family appreciates the gestures of friends and neighbors who reached out, they would like to return the generous gifts– perhaps to be given to those in greater need?
There is a gift card from someone in Deerhorn Valley without an address (the envelope was mistakenly thrown away) Please call me (Kim Hamilton) at 468-3218. If I don’t hear anything within the next couple of weeks, I’ll donate it to a local charity or food kitchen.

DOG PONDS:
The lack of proper notification and some surprising details about “grants” given to the SDCWF hunting Consortium () are raising both concern and surprise among residents and members of the Focus Group attempting to work with DFG and other stakeholders. See latest writeup on DeerhornValley.net. Look for the DOG PONDS link at left. A new follow-up is pending.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE (PLEASE?)!
We are putting together the next issue of The Antler Newsletter, and would really appreciate being able to share some Neighbor News. Email us at TheAntler@deerhornvalley.net

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“Promoting a Safe, Inter-Connected, and Vibrant Community”
Please join us on and DeerhornValley.net

From the shores of La Jolla cove to the mountains of Julian, San Diego is a truly unique metropolis that encompasses a variety wildlife habitats. However, as our suburban neighborhoods continue to expand, wildlife encounters are becoming increasingly common. And if you’ve ever had your dog sprayed by a skunk, encountered a family of raccoons sifting through your trash, or been awoken by a foraging opossum outside your window, you know how frustrating it can be when wildlife and urban living collide. At Project Wildlife we strive to educate the community on how to live in harmony with our wild neighbors by providing humane solutions to resolve wildlife issues. By following some simple steps, you can prevent the most common “nuisance” wild animals (namely raccoons, skunks and opossums) from making their home in yours.

Preventing Unwanted Wildlife Situations
A majority of unwelcome domestic wildlife encounters can be avoided by making your home and yard less attractive to wildlife.

• Trash and Debris:
  • For many wild creatures, our trash is their culinary treasure. Skunks, raccoons and opossums are natural foragers who take advantage of open or unsecured waste bins. Secure all garbage cans or keep them in a garage or shed until pick-up.
  • Brush/wood piles, clutter and other debris make perfect nesting and denning areas for wild creatures. Regularly clear debris piles and clutter from your yard and garage.
  • Pets:
    • Our pet’s food is another tempting food source for wildlife. Avoid feeding pets outside (or remove food dishes promptly if you do) and lock pet doors nightly.
    • Pet waste is another common pet-related cause of unwanted wildlife encounters. Clear your yard of pet waste on a daily basis.
    • Rats:
      • Rats are attracted by many of the same things as other wild creatures. However, as a food source for many wildlife species, a rodent infestation can draw even more hungry creatures to your home. Solve rodent problems as quickly as possible.
      • Secure openings around your home that rats and other wildlife may exploit to gain entrance to your residence.

Deterring Wildlife from Your Home
What should you do if a wildlife neighbor has already decided your home or yard the place to be? Use the following household items to deter wildlife from your residence.

• Chili Powder:
  • Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili powder that makes it taste “hot” and “spicy.” Capsaicin is a nontoxic irritant that affects all mammals and when used regularly will deter raccoons, skunks and opossums. Sprinkle chili powder anywhere wild animals are frequenting, including in and around trash, around the border of a garden or wherever animals are digging.
  • As capsaicin only affects mammals, it’s also safe to mix into birdseed to stop other animals from using it as a food source.
  • Ammonia (for outdoor use only):
    • Ammonia, a chemical found in urine, is offensive to skunks, raccoons, opossums and other “nuisance” creatures. Place ammonia soaked rags or spray ammonia directly onto areas that wildlife find attractive. For best results, reapply on a daily basis until the situation is resolved.

• Fans, Radios and Balloons:
  • Strange sounds and moving items can frighten animals into avoiding your residence. Place an oscillating fan (you can attach strings to the outside for extra movement), a helium balloon or a portable radio in the problem area.

Wildlife Extraction
If you already have wildlife living inside your home the above methods may be ineffective (especially during springtime when animals seek out places to rear their young). However, Project Wildlife’s fee-based Wildlife Extraction service can help humanely remove wildlife from your residence and prevent reoccurrences.

For more information, call 619-692-WILD or visit www.wildlifeextraction.com

For More Information
For additional prevention and deterrent methods, including species-specific approaches to solving wildlife conflicts, visit our website at www.projectwildlife.org

Great turnout!  At least 55 people attended the Tuesday night meeting of the Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group to discuss the current status of the Dog Training Ponds proposal for Honey Springs Ranch. Randy White (a JDPG member for some 22 years), drafted a letter to the Dept. of Fish and Game with a list of resident and Board concerns. Here is my quick summary of the issues raised in the letter.  The full text and other communication is posted here at the top of the page: http://www.deerhornvalley.net/honeyspringsponds.html

* NO NOTIFICATION to residents, Rural Fire District, or Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group
* GROUNDWATER needed to fill/maintain is projected at 3.3 million gal/year (10 acre-ft).
* NOISE: The site is in a bowl-shaped valley with many nearby residences, horses, animals.
* “REPAIRING ABANDONED STOCK PONDS”: This reference was buried deep in the document. Why?
* RAINWATER: Original plan was to use only rainwater/runoff to fill the ponds. What happened?
* HUNTING ACCIDENTS/SAFETY: Who will reimburse local fire department for emergency response?
* POISONED TREES: 100-year old eucalyptus along access drive were reportedly poisoned. Why?
* LOCATION IS IN FLOOD PLAIN.  Implications?
* WATER PUMP DISCREPANCY: 100-gal/min or 400 gal/min pump required? Document is unclear.
* HERBICIDES: What impacts will pond “weed-control” have on groundwater?
* ALTERNATIVE SITE: 19,000-plus acres that are in the DFG jurisdiction.  An alternative site could be a win-win for everyone.

In addition to the above, the USE OF POTABLE WATER FOR NON-DRINKING PURPOSES was raised. This may require special procedures or even be illegal under California Title 22.
A Sub-committee was formed to address these issues with DFG, San Diego Wildlife [Hunting] Federation, Planning Group, and residents. The first meeting will be this Saturday (today!) at 11 AM at Brody’s Burgers and Beer by the Jamul 7-11.
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WELCOME HOME BILL STEVENS!
Bill made it home in record time from his heart surgery.  No way to keep that guy down!
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ANTLER NEWSLETTER: We’re starting to assemble the next (Winter) edition of The Antler Newsletter. Please send any neighbor news to share… celebrations, awards, congrats, etc.  TheAntler@DeerhornValley.net   It’s fun to share the news!
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GRAFFITI:
This is a problem we normally don’t face here in Deerhorn, but it looks like there are some vandals at work marking up outbuildings and pump-houses.  If you have had ANY recent issues with graffiti, please call the Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch number to report it: (858) 565-5200.  Our two Resident Sheriffs are serious about stopping this before it becomes a bigger issue.
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WE DID IT!
You contributed $ 2,730.50 !
This amount surpassed our $2500 goal, and will more-than-cover a year’s expenses for The Antler Newsletter, DeerhornValley.net, Antler Alerts, Community Get-Togethers (WITH Porta-Potties!), Family Programs, Directory (Yes… it’s been resurrected!)….  WOW!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WERE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE !

Your 100% tax-deductible receipt will be coming soon
(if you have not yet received it.)

Did you miss out on donating?  It’s NEVER too late!
Checks can be made out and sent to:

Deerhorn Valley Community Association (DVCA)
PO Box 862
Jamul, CA 91935

All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

First committee meeting will be held this Saturday January 14 at 11:00a.m.   The meeting will be held at  “Brody’s “ restaurant on the corner of Steel  Canyon and Highway 94.

The Jamul Dulzura Community Planning Group  approved a letter to be sent to the Department of Fish and Game requesting the department to  review of the  Hunting dog Training Facility and Ponds proposed on Deerhorn Valley.    Randy White (pictured) will head a committee  Jamul Dulzura Community Planning Group members Jean Strouf and Preston Brown will also be on the committee.