I need your help

Mike Cork · October 15, 2013, 04:43:13 PM

Especially if you live in Benton or the out lying areas, OR have a tournament on cypress or black bayou lakes out here......

The Cypress Lake Zoo received and American Bald Eagle that was tangled in a trot line over in Monroe. The Eagle has had extensive damage to a wing and foot and will not be eligible for release back into the wild.

During the course of rehabilitation the Cypress Park Zoo can keep the Eagle. Their goal is to raise the funds necessary to maintain the endowment required by national law to keep the Eagle. This endowment is $65,000.

What I need from everyone that fishes these lakes or lives in the area - Take them fish!!!! If you have fish and decide that on the way home you don't feel like cleaning them, please take them to the zoo. If you just want to help take some fish to the zoo. They need two 12-14 inch fish a day, they don't have to be bass and you don't have to clean them (the gal over there would appreciate it LOL but is more than willing) if you clean them just cut off the heads and gut it. They will take fillets but if you filleted them I'm pretty sure you were intending on eating them.

Several of us got them a jump start this past week. Thank You BassBUFF and DonM

I also took some fresh fish from my river honey holes (probably will cost me later LOL)

We can not take them too much.... They have the freezer capacity to handle it.

Please save a few, especially from the slot lakes. What a great way to cover two goals at once.

All you have to do is pull up to the gate and tell them you have fish for the eagle, they will point you in the right direction.

It's a young bird and hasn't gone bald yet, but with Dr. Morgan taking care of it, the Eagle has a great chance to survive.

On a side note: They also need venison. With all those that hunt on this board I'm hoping we can help out there too. They will take all the venison they can get for the Eagle and the owls. They have several animals that will benefit. Dr. Morgan asked that I get the word out because she know that with hunting season here, many will be throwing out old freezer burnt meat.... THE BIRDS DON'T CARE... they would love for you to bring it to them! If you process your own, they would love to have the scraps.

Thank you everyone! This is something easy for us to support!! Please jump in

BassBUFF · October 15, 2013, 08:45:10 PM

Russ and I took another dozen unders by there yesterday although they weren't fileted this time.

DonM · October 15, 2013, 09:51:31 PM

I took them about 20 pounds of frozen fillets Sunday. It's a great project!

Mike Cork · October 16, 2013, 09:36:30 AM

thanks guys! That's awesome

I told them that we should be able to keep them in fish with no problem!

lapoolboy · October 16, 2013, 09:56:13 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on October 16, 2013, 09:36:30 AM
thanks guys! That's awesome

I told them that we should be able to keep them in fish with no problem!

Easy for you to say!!!

Gotta catch fish to give them fish!

I am going to either Caddo or Cross this weekend and with the reports of salvania taking over Caddo and the decent reports coming off Cross, I am leaning towards Cross right now. I just HATE the pleasure boat traffic out there!!!! Maybe it will be too cool for them.

Mike Cork · October 16, 2013, 10:26:05 AM

The pleasure boat traffic will be about gone. Once the water hit's the 70's you only get your die hards, then when it hits the 60's you get the one or two fools

I've never had much trouble with pleasure boaters at Cross, well except at the ramp, out on the water I've never had a problem unless there was a function going on.

Cypress and Black Bayou..... Take a flipping stix with a dd22 tied on and see how many jet skiers you can catch

But if you go to Cross keep the full 8 unders you're allowed and take them over there. You'll be helping Cross and the Eagle

danisfish · October 17, 2013, 07:26:18 AM

Mike what the best way to feed the birds deer? I will shoot a doe for them, just need to know how to have it processed.

FishinSteelersFan · October 17, 2013, 06:59:16 PM

Quote from: danisfish on October 17, 2013, 07:26:18 AM
Mike what the best way to feed the birds deer? I will shoot a doe for them, just need to know how to have it processed.

Have it all made into Italian sausage and I'll come pick it for ya!

Mike Cork · October 17, 2013, 10:10:03 PM

Quote from: danisfish on October 17, 2013, 07:26:18 AM
Mike what the best way to feed the birds deer? I will shoot a doe for them, just need to know how to have it processed.

That is a good question, I will find out and get back to you. Thank you for supporting this

MissouriFishin · October 17, 2013, 11:48:07 PM

I live too far away to help. But I'm glad to see you guys pitching in on this project! It's a great cause.

Russ199A · October 20, 2013, 09:11:03 AM

Quote from: danisfish on October 17, 2013, 07:26:18 AM
Mike what the best way to feed the birds deer? I will shoot a doe for them, just need to know how to have it processed.

It's really not for the eagle, its for the predator mammals they take care off. Red meat is big $$$$, and feeding all those animals every day takes a lots of time, money and product. The deer is the cheapest way to supply red meat. Thanks for helping out.

danisfish · October 20, 2013, 06:36:09 PM

ok I will bring some up there asap. thanks for the info.

Mike Cork · October 21, 2013, 04:57:56 PM

Danisfish, we hadn't got an answer back yet, I'm gonna have to drive over there LOL. But she told us before that they would take it anyway they could get it. So quartered would work. They have upright freezers so thinking along those lines for storage. They don't need steaked out or anything as they will probably cut pieces and weigh it to ensure proper proportion and then hand it to the animals.

The eagle and owls do have some red meat in their diets but the venison would be across the board. (bob cats, falcons, eagles, owls.....)

Thank you very much for your support

Mike Cork · October 28, 2013, 05:31:41 PM

Quote from: danisfish on October 20, 2013, 06:36:09 PM
ok I will bring some up there asap. thanks for the info.

Danisfish, I haven't forgot about your question, I have just been out of town. Did you get up there and talk to the ladies?

Pacific NW Ron · October 28, 2013, 05:42:19 PM

Mike,
Do you know if they take cash donations? If so what is their address?
Ron

Mike Cork · October 28, 2013, 05:58:14 PM

They certainly do and I will get that info as well.

BassmanRudy · October 28, 2013, 07:00:48 PM

20 question here LOL but... What is the latest they will take fish? If I get off work barely get on the water before 4 so can I bring it by after 6:30 or will anyone be there? Thanks!

Mike Cork · October 29, 2013, 10:49:11 AM

I know Dr Morgan, the vet, leaves about 5ish. I'll have to check on everyone else.

Mike Cork · October 29, 2013, 03:35:35 PM

Okay....

Officially the zoo is open until 1600 hrs, but they are there later than that most days until 1700 hrs. However after 4pm it's risky.

As far as venison donations. They would love to have it skinned and quartered and they will take as much as they can get!!!! emphasis on this.... they can store it and after season it gets thin for the animals.

Still working on an address for donations.

Harry Jones · October 30, 2013, 09:37:09 AM

Mr. Cork,
You get a GOLD STAR for your directing efforts for this worthy cause!!!!!

TNDiver · October 30, 2013, 01:19:59 PM

Great effort Mike and everyone! I am on the board and volunteer at a Wildlife Rehabilitation center here in Middle Tennessee and I am sure they would also take rabbits, squirrel, etc. The predator birds have a really varied diet as do different predator mammals. We also do "Rat Runs" where someone goes to a facility that sells lab animals (rats, mice, gerbils, etc) and get their extras for free. They may want to check into that as well. Another source is grocery stores. We get extra chicken, etc that they are getting rid of. Like Mike said, the animals don't care if it is spoiled or has freezer burn!

Mike Cork · October 31, 2013, 08:40:20 AM

TNDiver, the use the grocery stores for veggies but I'll ask about old meat. Good idea in the rat run

This time of year is a big push on wild game as hunting season is open so they want to stick up. Road killed venison helps through the rest of the year..

I took 7 fish there yesterday so they are good for the rest of the week. But it would be great to get ahead of the game.

Everyone that has helped so far.... They said to pass on a big thank you

Mike Cork · November 07, 2013, 08:34:26 AM

Here is a mailing address for the Cypress Zoo.

The Cypress Zoo
135 Cypress Park Dr.
Benton, LA 71006

Donations of even a $1 add up. They asked that we pass on their thanks for all the support.

Mike Cork · November 07, 2013, 08:35:19 AM

Anyone that self process their deer,

The Cypress Zoo can use the Hearts and Livers if you don't use them

Mike Cork · November 07, 2013, 08:36:49 AM

One last post.

The go through 2 eating size fish a day, so we need to get some more over there as quickly as possible.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN THEM......

They would appreciate it if you simply chopped the heads off and gutted them but they are not picky and will take live fish in a heart beat