Jayn Bigler
Jayn Bigler has over 15 years of combined experience reporting for, editing and publishing weekly newspapers and specialty publications. She was the founding editor and publisher of a regional newspaper covering sporting dogs, horses, other companion animals, conservation, animal welfare and other issues that pet and horse owners face. She also worked as an editor for a publication that covered polo, show jumping and dressage. In addition to her Associated Content articles, she is a contributing writer for Illinois Outdoor News. Jayn also serves as a volunteer search-and-rescue K-9 handler with her canine partner, Trooper, a German Shepherd trailing dog. They are certified as a trailing team by the North American Police Work Dog Association. She and Trooper assist in teaching hunter-safety-education classes from the perspective of search and rescue.
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- Content
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- Fans
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- Contributor since
- 11/21/2010
Interests
outdoors; working dogs; animal welfareMotto
"...dare mighty things..."
Displaying Results 1 - 63 (of 63) for All Content
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Survival Handbook Written to Help Kids Return Home SafeA how-to handbook shares common-sense advice and old Cherokee ways to teach children how to survive if they get lost in the wilderness.
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Operation C.A.R.E. Bears Brings Kids, Cops Together at ChristmasThe Illinois State Police of District 22 in southernmost Illinois raises funds year round to provide children in need with presents at Christmastime.
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Union County Authorities Seek Fugitive from JusticeUnion County, Ill., authorities are asking the public’s help in finding Bryan T. Todd, who is wanted on a warrant for residential burglary and possession of stolen firearms.
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Shawnee Squirrel Hunt in Its Tenth YearIn the Shawnee Squirrel Hunt’s 10th year, the hunters attending the event report the squirrels, the forest and the friendships are what make the event great. -
Permit Applications Open for 2011 Illinois Youth Goose HuntThe application process opened on Sept. 1 for youth to obtain hunting permits for the youth goose and duck hunt in Southern Illinois on Dec. 28. Organizers of the event plan for double the number of hunters from last year's hunt. -
Protect Pets from Physical, Emotional Stresses in the Days After an Earthquake or Other DisasterTake hazards into account when planning for your pet's well-being after a disaster. -
On September 11, Give Thanks to Those Who ServeIn the aftermath of 9/11, a lesson learned: Two simple words - 'thank you' - say it all for those who give their time to serve their country and communities. -
Illinois State Police K9 Still 'Aces' Big FindsIllinois State Trooper Steve Steckenrider looks back on his partner's career as K9 Ace, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, nears retirement next year. -
Kids Have Plenty of Outdoor Opportunities This Fall in Southern IllinoisSeveral family-friendly events in Southern Illinois are geared toward introducing youth to outdoor sports and conservation. -
Shepard V. Madigan: Illinois Files Response to LawsuitIllinois, which is now the only state in the nation that does not allow its citizens to carry a concealed weapon, has filed a response to a lawsuit that seeks to have the ban declared unconstitutional.
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Toasted Oat Cereal: A Great Dog Treat -- and Easy on Your BudgetCheck the cereal aisle at the grocery store for a great treat for your dog that will cut costs for your pet-food budget and calories for your pet. -
Illinois and Concealed Carry: A Defendant in Shepard V. Madigan Talks About Proposed County-by-County BillUnion County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds, who has been named as one of the litigants in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois' ban on carrying concealed firearms, talks about new legislation that would allow individual countie -
Concealed Carry for Counties Could Be an Option for IllinoisA new bill has been filed in the Illinois House of Representatives that would allow individual county governments to decide the issue of concealed carry of a firearm.
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IDNR Promotes Conservation Job Opportunities for Youth, Young AdultsIllinois Gov. Pat Quinn has announced two programs that provide employment opportunities for youth and young adults who have an interest in conservation and outdoor recreation.
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Vertical Heartland: Rescuers Learn New Skills at Draper's BluffVertical Heartland Rock Climbing School at Draper's Bluff in southern Illinois is the site in the fall for a team-skills rescue course from Ropes That Rescue. Here's a look back at one held in 2007. -
Students Learn More Than the Ropes in Technical Rescue CourseTechnical rescue personnel seek out the best training they can get at Ropes That Rescue, an innovative school that teaches why the rigging works as well as how to do it. -
FASTEN Investigation: Pulaski County Sheriff's Deputy Tara Kern Charged with 20 Felony CountsA special prosecutor has alleged that Pulaski County (Ill.) Sheriff's Deputy Tara Kern provided firearms to her husband, William A. Kern, a convicted felon.
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Boy Scout Who Helps SAR Dog Handlers Earns Eagle Scout RankA search-and-rescue dog's best friend - Eagle Scout Ben Whittington has volunteered to help handlers of search and rescue K9s train their dogs for many years. -
Hyundai Accent GT: A Favorite Car that Holds Fond Memories for a SAR K9 HandlerThe best car I ever owned has been a Hyundai Accent GT. It's not the kind of car one thinks of for search and rescue. -
'Take Back' Initiative Helps Public Safely Dispose of Prescription DrugsSeveral southern Illinois communities participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration's program to provide the public a safe means of disposing of unwanted or expired prescription drugs. -
Illinois Concealed Carry and the Right to Self-Defense: NRA Files Suit on Behalf of Beating VictimNews of the National Rifle Association's lawsuit against Illinois' ban on carrying concealed firearms for self-defense hits close to home. -
Historic Flooding on Ohio River: Metropolis, Ill., Issues Voluntary Evacuation OrderThe Cilty of Metropolis has issued a voluntary evacuation order for its residents. The order was issued with due to a National Weather Service forecast that the Ohio River would continue to rise another five feet in the next several days.
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Residents in Southern Illinois Struggle to Save Homes from Historic FloodingOn Thursday, April 28, homeowners were filling sandbags and building levees around their property in an attempt to hold flood waters from three rivers at bay.
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Veterinarian Recommends Spring Exercise for PetsIt's spring! Get out of the house and enjoy the great weather. Better yet, take your best friend with you. Just keep in mind that with any new exercise regime your dog needs to work into it, just like you do.
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Police Chiefs' 'Wish List' Brings Concealed Carry in Illinois Closer to RealityHopes are high that this year will be the one that Illinois passes a concealed-carry law. The new support from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police brings those hopes closer to reality.
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Why I'll Never Forget My First Tea PartyMy first and only Tea Party protest is one that I'll never forget.
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Get Lost ... For Search-and-Rescue DogsSearch-and-rescue K9 handlers can always use volunteer make-believe "victims" to help in the training of their dogs.
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Storms Mar First Day of Illinois' Spring Turkey SeasonSevere thunderstorms dampened hunters' chances on day one of turkey season in Illinois, but the hunting should improve.
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Dumping Trash on Public Lands Increases During Bad EconomiesLand managers and law enforcement work together to solve cases of illegal dumps and say that the public can also help stop people from turning wildlands into landfills.
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Budget Cuts Affect Illinois Conservation PoliceThe ranks of Illinois Conservation Police will be thinned this year by retirements, but there will be no funding to replace those officers in the latest budget being debated in the General Assembly.
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Hunting Retriever Clubs and Delta Waterfowl: A Natural PartnershipDelta Waterfowl's newest chapter gets support from Trail of Tears Hunting Retriever Club, a precedent that both organizations hope will catch on with other clubs and chapters.
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Two Teenagers Arrested as Suspects in Debris-Throwing Incidents on Interstate OverpassesTwo teenagers have been arrested for allegedly throwing objects off of overpasses at vehicles on an interstate in Illinois, and authorities say "pranks" like that could have deadly consequences and will not be tolerated.
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Scenes of Christchurch: Why We TrainThe news reports from the Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake on Feb. 22 are full of pictures and video of the rescue effort, and they remind this search-and-rescue volunteer, why we train.
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'Rock Snot': State DNRs Banning Felt-soled Shoes to Prevent Spread of Invasive Species, DiseaseFelt-soled boots and waders contribute to the spread of invasive aquatic plant species and disease between bodies of water.
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Concealed Carry in Illinois Gaining SupportPolitical pressure is mounting in Illinois for legislators to finally pass the Family and Personal Protection Act that will allow individuals to carry a concealed firearm.
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The 'Palin Effect': Does Sarah Palin's Popularity Inspire Women to Try Outdoor Sports?The directors of two popular hands-on workshops that introduce women to the outdoors answer the question whether Sarah Palin's popularity and reality show have had an impact?
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Socializing Your Dog Helps to Make it a 'Good Citizen'Socialization is important for a dog's well-being. A pet-care professional gives advice to puppy owners on how to introduce their dog to new circumstances.
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Ehrlichiosis: Prevention is the Best Defense Against the Tick-Borne DiseaseEhrlichiosis can be deadly for dogs. The signs are subtle and mimic other diseases. The best defense against it and other tick-borne diseases is prevention.
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Sweet Treats Are the Favorites in Southern IllinoisCookies, cakes and pastries '" local bakeries in southernmost Illinois offer baked goods that are uniquely their own.
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Community College is a Great Place to Train a SAR DogA search-and-rescue K9 puts in a good performance during training at Shawnee Community College.
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Illinois Legislation Proposes to Deny College Trustees from Setting Tuition for Their SchoolsIn proposed legislation in Illinois, the boards of trustees for Illinois' colleges and universities would no longer be able to set tuition and fees for their schools. Rates would be set by the General Assembly.
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Illinois General Assembly to Consider Restricting Handgun PurchasesA bill to limit the purchase of handguns to one per month is set to be introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives.
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Illinois Attempts to Pass Concealed-Carry LawIllinois State Rep. Brandon Phelps says he knows concealed-carry legislation has an uphill battle, especially in light of the Tucson shootings, but he is encouraged regarding the law's chances because of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
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IDNR Director: Hunting is America's HeritageIllinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller explains to young hunters how they are a part of America's heritage.
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Catch 'Fish Fever' at Southern Illinois Boat, Fishing ShowAlong with a crappie fishing seminar by Charlie Hogg and a bass-fishing seminar, fisheries biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will give an update on the region's lakes at the 2011 Southern Illinois Boat and Fishing Show.
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CPO Asks Young Hunters: How Do You Want to Be Remembered?At a banquet for young hunters, a conservation police officer gave the usual advice about hunting safety and regulations, but his message about ethics and doing the right thing in life transcended the sport and gave everyone a little food for thought.
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No Dog Parks? Start a ClubWhile communities develop plans for dog parks, training clubs can be a fun option for pet owners and their best friends.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resources Reorganizing Conservation Police Districts in Advance of Reduction in ForceIDNR Director Marc Miller says the reorganization is needed to ensure the state has "even coverage" of conservation law enforcement throughout the state.
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Shawnee National Forest: Prescribed Burns at Oakwood Bottoms to Restore Mast-Producing TreesShawnee National Forest managers use a prescribed burn to encourage growth of mast-producing trees in the Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir in Southern Illinois.
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Tree Stands a Factor in Hunting Fatality, Injuries in Southern IllinoisAs 2010 ends, Illinois reports that 19 hunting accidents have occurred thus far, including three fatalities. If that number holds, it will be the lowest number of accidents in the state in several years.
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Club Owner Sees Good Season Ahead for Illinois WaterfowlersConditions coming into waterfowl season in southern Illinois have one club owner optimistic for a good harvest ahead.
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Teaching Young Hunters: The Onus is on UsHunting safety and ethics is more than a class one takes to get a hunting license. It's a way of life.
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Conservation Police Officer Saves Diabetic Suffering from Insulin ShockBeing in the right place at the right time and having the right training, a conservation police officer was able to assist a hypoglycemic diabetic until EMTs arrived on scene.
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Union County Ambulance Service Continues to Grow, Serve CommunityA small community ambulance service builds a new facility without taxpayer dollars or going into debt.
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A Mid-season Refresher on Tree-Stand SafetyFalls from tree stands during hunting season result in severe injuries and even death. It's never too late to take another look at keeping safe while hunting from a stand.
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Illinois State Troopers Play Santa's Helpers in Operation CARE BearsOperation CARE Bears helps dozens of needy families each holiday season -- and gives State Troopers a chance to show the public a different side of law-enforcement officers.
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IDNR Director Marc Miller to Speak at Youth Waterfowl Hunt BanquetOrganizers of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources annual youth waterfowl hunt in the South Zone say this year's event will be "better than ever" with expanded hunting opportunities for young hunters and a full program of fun activities.
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SAR Dogs Train Between the RiversAt the very tip of Illinois, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, search-and-rescue K9 units met for a joint training with their dogs.
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Illinois Conservation Police to Receive Boat, Sonar Equipment for Homeland SecurityA Department of Homeland Security grant enables Illinois to purchase new vessel to patrol rivers.
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Road Signs to Wildcat Bluff DestroyedSigns directing tourists to popular nature preserve are destroyed by vandalism.
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Hunting Safety Courses Also Introduce Young Hunters to Importance of Basic First AidBeing prepared for injury in the field during a hunting trip, can be the best way of preventing an accident. Hunter-safety courses also teach young hunters the importance of learning basic first aid.
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A Surprising Game of Hide and Seek with a SAR DogYou never know what you'll find when playing "victim" for a search-and-rescue dog.
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Winner Take All! Devon Harris Wins the 2010 ATA $100,000 Grand American ChallengeFor the first time in its 111-year history, the Amateur Trapshooting Association offered a winner-take-all challenge to cap off its two-week Grand American Championships -- a shoot-off for $100,000.




