Slug hunting in Sitka

I must say, there is never a dull moment in beautiful Sitka by the sea. This weekend's big activity was a slug hunt held in honor of National Public Lands Day.)

According to Forest Circus officials, this was an "all-out effort to rid Starrigavan Recreation Area of the invasive European Black Slug." Hosted by the guy who accidentally released pepper spray in the office, more than 75 Sitkans participated in the hunt.

The event started with an informative lecture followed by a deomonstration of the proper slug-capturing techniques to use. Hunting gear was provided and included rubber gloves, slug-capturing devices (rubber grabber things) and buckets.

See pictures of the hunt and the free t-shirts that were handed out to the crowd (funded by a grant from our generous government).

Volunteers then mounted a safari for the slimy black invaders. At one point during the hunt, there was a fervor among the crowd because of a brown bear sighting just off the trail. Fortunately, the bear decided to head away from the people.

More than 418-some slugs were collected for proper disposal (which is drowning them in a bucket of bleach, reportedly the "most human way" to kill a slug). A marshmallow and hot dog roast around a campfire followed for all the hungry hunters.