Big Catches Reported, Job Seeking Gen Z Involves Helicopter Parents & the Easiest Breakfast Recipe

Reeling in the Biggins: Fish & Alligator Adventures

Father Lands West Virginia Record Catfish While Fishing With His Son

A West Virginia father was hoping to catch a small catfish for his 4-year-old son to reel in. Instead, he landed a 72.75-pound blue catfish and set a new state record.

Tyler Harmon was fishing the Ohio River near Ravenswood with his young son, Walker, and his own father, Rodney. The three generations had been using cut creek chub minnows when one of their rods suddenly bent.

Tyler quickly realized he had hooked a very large fish. He battled it for about 20 minutes, trying to keep his 40-pound line away from underwater brush and the boat’s anchor line.

When the fish finally reached the boat, young Walker thought his dad had caught a big shark. Tyler’s father helped net the fish, and they pulled it aboard.

The family suspected it could be a state record, so they took the fish to a nearby bait shop and kept it alive in an aerated tank overnight. The next day, a West Virginia fisheries biologist officially weighed and measured it.

The blue catfish weighed 72.75 pounds, measured nearly 48 inches long, and had a girth of 33.5 inches. That was enough to break the previous West Virginia catch-and-release record of 71 pounds.

After the official weigh-in, Tyler released the giant catfish back into the Ohio River near where it was caught.

And Walker now knows that what looked like a shark was actually a new state-record catfish.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/west-viriginia-record-blue-catfish/

High-School Angler Helps Find 11-Foot “Cannibal” Gator

A Mississippi high-school bass fisherman used his fishing skills — and forward-facing sonar — to help his family locate two alligators during a recent hunt.

 Sixteen-year-old Tatum Ceckahrulli, a junior at St. Martin High School, has used sonar for years while fishing. His family decided to try the technology to locate alligators in the Pascagoula River area of south Mississippi.

On the first night, the family used sonar to find a nearly seven-foot gator. They snagged it and brought it back to shore to process the meat.

The next night, they were looking for something bigger. While traveling through a bayou, Tatum and the group saw a huge splash. They soon realized a large alligator had killed and was feeding on another gator about seven feet long.

The hunters waited for the big alligator to surface. After one failed attempt, Tatum hooked it again. The group eventually secured the animal with heavy tackle and a snare.

The alligator turned out to be about 11 feet long. Getting it into their 17-foot boat was a challenge, and the normally 15-minute trip back to the ramp took about an hour because of the extra weight.

Tatum believes the large gator was old and in poor condition. It had very few teeth and was extremely thin — possibly explaining why it attacked and ate the smaller alligator.

The meat from both animals was processed and shared with family and friends.
Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/teen-uses-ffs-gator-hunt/

Some Gen Z Job Seekers Are Bringing Parents to Interviews

Ever heard of “Helicopter Parenting”? How about if this trend affects those entering the job market for the first time?

Helicopter Parenting Takes a New Turn

According to News Nation, career experts say more young adults are turning to their parents for help navigating a difficult job market — in some cases, even bringing Mom or Dad along to job interviews.

Career coach Sarah Johnston says parents have shown up at job fairs, contacted recruiters on behalf of their children and, occasionally, tried to intervene after a child was dismissed from a job.

A survey by resume service Zety found that one in five Gen Z job seekers had a parent attend a job interview with them. Experts say the trend has grown since the pandemic.

Johnston says many parents may be stepping in because today’s job market is very different from the one they experienced. Young workers face longer job searches, layoffs and new pressures from artificial intelligence and social media.

For employers, Johnston recommends keeping the focus on the job candidate. If a parent shows up or calls on behalf of their adult child, hiring managers should politely redirect the conversation to the candidate.

She says that while the behavior can seem excessive, many parents are simply trying to help their children succeed in a challenging job market. 

Statistics:

20% (Zety Survey): A study of over 1,000 Gen Z workers found that 20% had a parent actually join a job interview—15% in person and 5% virtually. 

Parental overinvolvement often extends past the interview room itself, Fox News:

• 63% of parents have submitted job applications for their children.
• 53% to 54% have emailed or called hiring managers directly.
• 21% of candidates had a parent contact a recruiter directly on their behalf.
• 10% had a parent negotiate a job offer.

How do Hiring Managers feel or think when a parent is involved, according to Forbes?

The moment a parent shows up, the panel stops assessing the candidate and instead starts asking something entirely different.
“How could this person ever meet with a client alone, run a meeting, or take feedback without backup?”

Forbes also reported, helicopter parenting is linked to higher anxiety and depression in emerging adults, alongside weaker self-regulation and lower belief in their own capability.

Reference: https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/your-money/helicopter-parents-hiring-job-interviews-gen-z-x/

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/helicopter-parents-adult-children-careers-146601ab?mod=hp_lead_pos8

1 In 5 Gen Z Workers Brought A Parent To The Job Interview. Now What?

The Easiest Breakfast Recipe You’ll Ever Make

A Quick Breakfast Anyone Can Make: Simple Ingredients, Big Breakfast Flavor

EASY RECIPE: Caramel Rolls Meets Monkey Bread

BEC’s Carmel Roll Monkey Bread

Instructions and Ingredients

1. Preheat Oven to 350℉.
2. Use a 9×13” baking dish or tin foil pan (my preference).
3. Grease a baking dish or pan well with Non-Stick Cooking Spray.
4. Ingredients:

• 2 Cans of Pillsbury Flaky Grands Biscuits.
• 1 Cup of Flavored Coffee Creamer (Substitute: Vanilla Ice Cream)
• 1 Cup of Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup of White Sugar
• 1 Cup of Butter
• 1 Tsp Vanilla

***********************

• ½ Cup Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Cinnamon

 

1. In a pot on Medium Heat melt the butter, stirring frequently while adding in the Brown and White Sugar, Vanilla. The combination should melt together nicely, then add the  Flavored Coffee Creamer (or vanilla ice cream.)
2. Once bubbling, set the pot off to the side to cool.
3. Take the 2 cans of biscuits. Open and pull apart each biscuit, then peel them apart into equal halves.
4. Cut these circles of dough into four (4) pieces.
5. In a large bowl with a lid cover add the cut flour dough pieces, sprinkle the ½ cup sugar and 2 TBSP of Cinnamon. Place the lid securely on the bowl and SHAKE, TOSS, and Shake.

The dough pieces should all be equally coated in the cinnamon/sugar mix, if sticking together – break apart and repeat placing the lid and toss, shake again.

1. Take the pot of Carmel, pour ⅓ into the bottom of the well greased dish or pan. Spread until the whole bottom is covered. Then take the coated dough pieces and cover the bottom of the pan with the dough.
2. Pour the remaining Carmel Sauces over the top of the dough.
3. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes at 350℉, checking frequently after 25 minutes so as not to burn.
4. Take out of the oven once the tops are starting to turn dark brown.
5. While cooling, take a ¼ cup of butter and cut thin slices, placing on top to melt – spreading the melted butter around the whole top.
6. ENJOY!! Pull apart caramel rolls anyone can make!

One last note – I use Caramel Macchiato creamer, however use your favorite. Pumpkin Spice creamer, Hazelnut Creamer, or Pecan and toss in some chopped Pecans.

Yum Yum!

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WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS

Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC’ Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation.

With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire those who appreciate God’s Country and life on the land.

United by a common mission, Tigger & BEC offer a glimpse into life beyond the beaten path and down dirt roads. They’re here to share knowledge, answer your questions, and join you in your own success story. Adventure awaits around the bend. With The Outdoors, the Western Heritage, Rural America, and Wildlife Conservation at the forefront, Tigger and BEC live this lifestyle every day.

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