Hard Winter

[Plumbob]

Here in N. Idaho the winter has been brutal this year. I have about 6 feet of snow on the level and it is dumping another foot tonight.Fortunatly the deer migrate from here but they are getting pounded on their winter range as well. I am afraid this year will take one heck of a toll on the game. The last big winter was 96' and the game rebounded well but this time we have  more wolves for them to contend with.

This evening I had a backhoe, a skidder and my tractor all working to open my driveway up. It was  dark as the wind and snow were pounding us. I jumped off the tractor to run down the hill and get some chain, I was gone a few minuets. I returned to find Moose tracks around my tractor which was running. I followed them to the road and I could see a small cow in the faint light 30 yards away. She was bawling for her calf. {I have seen the pair around}

It made me sick, I have spent more than a few years wandering the mountains I know how nature works. But her bawling in the driving storm knowing one or both will die of starvation sits hard in my gut.

I am a tender hearted hunter who won't sleep very well tonight.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Mother Nature is a real (Female Dog). She knows what she is doing, this is her way of population control. We as hunters see this and many other things in the heart of our sport... I feel for all the wild life out Your way, but just think about this.... They will feed others and the Earth, They are here to help complete the cycle of Life.

 Just be Happy You seen what You saw... There is others, like myself that doesn't get the chance to see stuff like that....

[jon]

Plumbob,

I am in the same boat. Can't stand to see an animal suffer.
My non hunting friends can't understand that side of me. They think that all who hunt are blood thirsty killers who live to see animals suffer. I've changed the hearts of a few but there are so many.
For me, having compassion for an animal is just as natural as the need to hunt.
Remember Fred Bear's famous quote? I believe he said "any death I deal out to an animal is far less cruel than the death that nature will deal out". I hope that I gog that right.
Anyway, your compassion is honorable.
I hope that you sleep better my friend.

[Plumbob]

Thanks jon, I had forgotten that quote.

Well she is camped in my yard and looking real poor. She is bedded in the snow blowed path to my woodshed. Hate to cause her stress but I will need firewood within a day or so. The snow is about chin deep on her,she is either a small cow or a big calf.

Good chance that coyote's find her in my yard, that will be tough to take.

[highcountry]

A month ago there were eight big bulls that should of moved off the mountain BUT some people were letting them feed with their horses.  Those elk are paying the price now since all this snow up here now.  Sad.

[LKH]

In Northern Mn we seem to get hammered about every 8-10 years.  Loose nearly 100% of the fawn crop and a large number or the adults.  Even with that, they are up to numbers where you are allowed two deer, one of which must be a doe, within 4-5 years.  60% of doe fawns are pregnant in the fall and after that first one they have 2 or 3 per year.  

Winters like this are why its so important to keep the herd in check and that means killing does.  Something that a lot of guys refuse to do.

[San Juan Slim]

Plumbob,

Does this look familiar?

 

We had 79" on the level after the last storm ended yesterday morning here in SW Colorado.  Fortunately most of our elk and deer have headed south into New Mexico where the snow is much lighter.  We do seem to have alot of turkeys still around and I wonder how they will fare.  We usually have some breaks allowing the south faces to melt off so the birds have somwhere to feed.  But not this year!  It just keeps on coming.

Mike

[brettlandon]

Plumbob, we as outdoorsmen understand better than most how most things come to an end.  We see the things around us: the beasts and the fauna; the wind the snow and the rain, and the real struggle that every living thing endures to survive.  We applaud their determination and revel in their tenacity.  So, of course, we weep at their demise.  Losing something you are close to is supposed to make you sad.  And that's how we know you are an outdoorsman.

-Brett

[HardcoreHarry]

Originally posted by Plumbob:
Here in N. Idaho the winter has been brutal this year. I have about 6 feet of snow on the level and it is dumping another foot tonight.Fortunatly the deer migrate from here but they are getting pounded on their winter range as well. I am afraid this year will take one heck of a toll on the game. The last big winter was 96' and the game rebounded well but this time we have  more wolves for them to contend with.

This evening I had a backhoe, a skidder and my tractor all working to open my driveway up. It was  dark as the wind and snow were pounding us. I jumped off the tractor to run down the hill and get some chain, I was gone a few minuets. I returned to find Moose tracks around my tractor which was running. I followed them to the road and I could see a small cow in the faint light 30 yards away. She was bawling for her calf. {I have seen the pair around}

It made me sick, I have spent more than a few years wandering the mountains I know how nature works. But her bawling in the driving storm knowing one or both will die of starvation sits hard in my gut.

I am a tender hearted hunter who won't sleep very well tonight.

Here it was in the 60's today and I was thinking I might have to dig my jacket out!

Yeah...I know I will be paying for that statement come July and August when it gets 110+!!

=ducks=

Hardcore Harry