Ear to the ground

“I’ve never seen so many asses in one place.”

-A Durango Telegraph reader referring to last week’s back-page New Belgium ad

Virtual cross-hairs

With blaze orange season just around the corner, there’s good news for hunters who would rather not leave the comfort of the La-Z-Boy this fall. Video game publisher Mastiff has announced the release of “Deer Drive,” an arcade-style, multi-player hunting series for Wii™.

“Deer Drive meshes hunting simulation with arcade style pick-up-and-play action and pacing for an exciting gaming experience,” Mastiff proclaimed. Plus, there’s no danger of getting left alone in the woods. Deer Drive is the first deer hunting game that allows you to bring along your favorite Dick or Larry, since it features two player simultaneous play. Deer Drive also offers “true-to-life sound effects,” the option of taking on passive and aggressive prey, and a giant arsenal of hunting weapons to choose from.

“Most hunting games are slow moving simulations with frustrating controls,” said Bill Swartz, of Mastiff. “Deer Drive is all about shooting ... being a more accurate marksman and better hunter than your friends.”

“Deer Drive” should be available just in time for the first rifle season, which is set for Oct. 11-15.

High-altitude stamina

It turns out that Viagra is a multi-tasking drug. In addition to its best-known purpose, Viagra is being used by athletes as a “performance enhancer,” particularly at high elevations. The drug famous for opening blood vessels in the nether-regions also improves the blood’s ability to transport oxygen.

“At 10,900 or even 7,000 feet, Viagra gives you a sea-level vo2 max,” said Dr. Kenneth Rundell, referring to maximum aerobic capacity, in an interview with theNew York Times.

Rundell, who directs respiratory research and the human physiology laboratory at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., is investigating whether Viagra can also be used to alleviate the effects of air pollution. Studies in animals indicate that pollution can impede air flow in the lungs by causing pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

Viagra remains a legal drug for athletes. The article noted that some Tour de France cyclists have been looking to the erectile dysfunction drug for some extra oomph.