Friday, May 08, 2009

[Double D]

Good morning Montanan, MT_Sourdough, dpe, Southpaw, Forster, Atlaw, pab1, newstart2k, Skunk, kitchawan kid, lurker, CJ, Bilmac,thxmrgarand, Syncerus, Mcwoodduck, Brennemanj83, Old Shooter,TY22, Canon6, burntmuch, Grimjim, CJ, Bilmac, rparsons934 wis_sharpshooter and BBF.

It was 36 degrees and drizzling rain when I got up a 5 this morning.  Dreary day huh. At least I won't have to cut the grass...wrong.   One of the dogs wanted out a few minutes ago, so I open the door to clear skies and little to no wind....Darn!

Looks like grass mowing today. Maybe even some painting. Well at least it will be cannon carriage that gets painted.

[Cottonwood]

Good morning everyone.

Well it was cool but not that cool, and we don't have any rain or drizzle right now either.  Another good day for me to head over to my therapy  that is the indoor archery range for those that don't know.

You all have a great day.

[Mt_Sourdough]

Howdy all
   Its cool and damp again today.  Not much happenning today.     I need to start looking for a new job I suppose.  I was counting on my employer to have me lined out by now, but work has been sparse.
   I reckon that I might have given some of you the wrong idea.  Despite the fact that there are apparently deer kills a'plenty in the hills from last winter, the herd sizes still look really strong around here.  I believe that the whitetail numbers, in specific, were excessive before winter.  I do not believe any evidence of what happened this winter is a long term indication of what is to come.  Wolf numbers will go down this fall, but probably not a lot in the first year of legal hunting, but I do not know that for sure.  The mountain lions on the other hand may need to have there numbers thinned more than what is currently happenning. 
   Again, I am not a biologist or any other sort of expert.  Im just a guy who likes to wander through the hills to take a look see.  As for all the carcasses I see scattered all over the hills, I cant say that I know for sure that these animals were killed as opposed to starved to death with coyotes spreading the carcasses.  But I am given to speculation and when I add the other sign (like cat tracks and wolf scat), I then suspect that the two (carcasses and predator sign) are related. 
  I feel some sort of affirmation, though, when the Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife and Parks confirms my observations.  Without going back to my copy of Big Sky Outdoor news, I recall them saying it was the northwest part of the state and some areas around Yellowstone that have been hardest hit.  What I observed over the winter in the Western part of the state, is many sick looking whitetails in the timber.  In January, the elk even looked to be hurting, but they, as far as I can tell werent too effected and recovered quickly after February. One more observation - too many ticks out this year.  The feeling of things crawling on you doesnt go away even after you have gotten rid of all them.  I pulled about a dozen of them off me after my last walk.
  You all have a great day

[canon6]

Hello all, I have been out of pocket for about a week. Hope all are well. Just read that the jury in Missoula has found W.R.Grace NOT GUILTY  in the asbestos trial re;Libby.I am sorry for the people affected.    Doug

[dpe.ahoy]

All day today has been rain, sunshine, rain, sunshine, rain and sunshine .  Been happening all day here in Billings.  I haven't seen any ticks , yet.  DP

[dpe.ahoy]

That just re-enforces the fact you are entitled to all the justice you can afford to buy.   DP

[canon6]

Amen, my brother      Doug

[Mt_Sourdough]

well, so much for my elk herds being disbanded theory as I saw them all back together tonight.   About 30 in the same place I have been seeing them for a two or three weeks now.
   Funny thing, land owner came and talked to us and she said that she has been watching us on camera the last few weeks .  According to her, she installed cameras on her ranch because of past poaching problems.  She was very nice, but she found a pleasant way to explain that her whole family is in law enforcement (just a word to the wise, I suppose).  It makes me happy to have a clear conscience because I always show utmost respect for others property.  She even said that she can tell that I show great deal of appreciation for the wildlife.  This encounter can prove to be a good thing down the road because she knows who I am now.  Maybe even a future gopher hunting prospect.