Sporting Dog First-Aid Clinic......

I went to a sporting dog first-aid clinic last night and learned some cools stuff; I thought I’d share…

It was put on by our local Versatile Hunting Dog Federation and was held at Region 3 FWP here in Bozeman, Montana. Cost was $25.00 for 3 hour course, but was well worth it; given the great tips for hunting in the west and being prepared for the many hazards that come with it.



If you’re coming out west and haven’t hunted in areas where traps might be set; check on the web for how to get your dog outa one, as there are several types and while some are easy to release and do little more than hold your dogs’ leg.

Others, like conibear (beaver traps) are deadly, and take having a leash or rope on-hand; and ‘some knowhow’ and important-instruction to get it off in time and save your dog’s life.

Since in Central and Eastern parts of the state beaver trapping begins on Sept. 1st, and there’s no law that states BMA’s have to post signs indicating trapping is taking place; running a dog in a river bottom with channels and obvious beaver sign about; could be an issue?

I used to set conibears on the plantation and trapped dozens of beavers in a single week, but we did it in the off-season as damage-control; which means you could run into them anywhere that’s allowed year-round. They’ll kill your dog within seconds I’d imagine as they did beaver, so time is of the essence.



Most other types of trapping begin after Nov. 1st in Montana, and "is still very much a business out here", or so FWP told us; and is quite common; though dog’s being caught and killed not so much. "Still, precautions should be taken and some tools like cable cutters are needed for some traps; as Leatherman’s won’t work."


Now for the Tips...

- I recently dealt with Suzie having that annoying cough and posted about it here too, but have since realized it’s not a big deal and has also gone away. Apparently Vets see this one a lot, so might be nice to avoid a visit if it isn’t needed (an actual Vet was one telling us this). It’s called 'tracheal collapse' and is quite common based on how many YouTube videos are on the subject.

- We were told if your dog gets porcupine quills inside its mouth, it means he attempted to eat it as opposed to the more common occurrence of smelling one. When this happens, it’s advised to bring it to a Vet, as some quills could be further down their throat and might cause illness weeks later.

- Saline solution was advised several times for washing out eyelids as this apparently is a very common problem out west too. We had this issue at the plantation and it was deadly once left untreated, as the grass seeds would eventually work their way down into the pointers’ face and blindness occurred when others (which still had dew claws) would scratch at them. Try as I might to tell the guides this, because I learned it early on in my career; instead they worked day in day out and were never pleased with their pay, and with a sorry redneck factor of 110, they sadly didn’t care.

- It was suggested “the very best thing for a wound is fresh water and soap”; as opposed to any other forms of liquids such as peroxide or alcohol; if your intentions are to take the dog to a Vet anyway. Staying calm and keeping your dog warm in winter or cool in summer on the way; was stressed as well to keep the dog from becoming overly excited in transit.

- We were told dogs can sometimes have an allergic reaction to being sprayed with skunks; though the symptoms might not show for two to three weeks after being sprayed; so if a dog has a mysterious illness and has recently been sprayed within the past few weeks; it’s important you tell your Vet of the incident.

- “He doesn’t appear to be in a lot of pain” is apparently a common thing Vets here, because folks don’t recognize the signs when they should? It’s suggested if your dog, after an obvious injury, doesn’t moan or groan doesn’t mean it’s not in pain. In fact it might be in quite a bit and if it goes and lays down in an odd location, you witness it yawning excessively, or drinking excessive amounts of water or not eating ( or anything out of the ordinary) its advised to bring it in for a checkup.

- Something neat I thought was when they mentioned for sternum cuts or wounds on your dog; it’s advised to use your T-shirt and actually put it on the dog, then tape it over the wound. Another bit of advice was to use a sock for a leg wound and also tape it; before getting them to a Vet for treatment.

- Lots of things should go into a First Aid Field bag that aren’t included in the store-bought ones; and its suggested to take what you have to your Vet; for advice on other items that might be of use (staplers, short-runs of certain Vet meds., etc.). “Vet Wrap with Johnson and Johnson porous tape” got high marks too FYI.

...And from my own experience, I’ll throw in 'a western rookie mistake' and that is DON’T LEAVE YOUR FIRST-AID KIT IN YOUR TRUCK ALL SEASON (or even overnight when visiting); as all the fluid-contents will be frozen solid and useless when you need them the most!?


…………

Initially, I was going to add a few more things from last night, but think I best not since I’m no Vet and don’t want to get the technical info wrong.
I will say though, if your local hunting dog org. wanted to put something on that would really be beneficial to guys in your chapter and the general public; this would be the thing to do during the off-season. It was 3 hours of intense hands-on instruction and I learned so much more than what I’ve written here; and regret not going to something similar years ago?

I also regret driving into the %#@* ditch out in front of FWP while trying to find a place to park and ripping my bumper off, but such is life…

Moe

.Versatile Hunting Dog Federation

Pheasant Surrogator... The Project Begins....

Ultimately the above image is 'the goal', but for now its more or less a gamble it seems?
...

Since many of you who visit this site originated from 'Upland Journal' this weblog will be familair; as I've also begun a thread on there with as much if not more details than here.

...The reasons for posting it twice are simple, 1) I promised this blog would be 'about hunting and fishing' and it hasn't been lately, and instead more about my inability to find a %#@* damned job and 2) Its for the 50 odd folks visiting who have no idea what UJ is...and to prove I've met at least two people in Montana who can stand being around me, and am not a complete physcopath...?!

Note: I've changed their names, as I do with all my stories, in case I one day end up in a fight with one or the other and want to bash them on here..(quite possible).?

...

Today my friend Jim and Donnie went out on his parents' ranch to set up a 'pheasant Surrogator'.
Its a pretty cool project and should be interesting to see how it goes...?

- First, Donnie had picked out a great spot to set the Surrogator as it was a bottom and had two natural springs within close proximity; the bird should easily find later in life.
The bottom leads to an a 1-mile long stretch of the Musselshell River that is also included in the 1,000 acre private ranch.


Once the area was cleared and leveled, the surrogator was put in place..


Then we connected the propane heater, and had already filled the 15 gallon waterer, but had to make sure it was operational and checked for leaks...


First thing 'to-do' as per instructions; was make sure heater worked and get it lighted (took a few tries, but evetually lit)..


Next we filled the feeder and placed the ceramic dome over the heater (center of frame) and then readied it for the chicks..


Next we mixed in the provided "chick aid", which is designed to gel up and encourage the chicks to begin pecking right away (which worked, as they were on it before we left)...


The "chick aid" was placed on one of four paper plates placed in all four corners and on top of a handful of feed; as indicated in instructions...


Then came the chicks themselves, which were a day-old and were picked up in Townsend from a bird-grower on the way to the ranch....(60 total)...


There were 30 on each side of crate and all were alive when placed inside the Surrogator...


It was tought to tell which ones were roosters or hens, but was guessed to be 50/50.
Once all were inside we made a quick hand-check to make sure heater was working, the prepared to close them in...(object being to limit thier exposure to us to mere minutes)


Then we put 6 stakes in the ground to suspend the provided cover above the Surrogator to keep it shaded...


Lastly, we rechecked the heater and waterer were working then left them be...

That is probably the biggest concern is whether both would remain operational for the 5 week duration the chicks are inside? They will stay hidden completely inside the section with the heater and water, then the screened section is available to hem by simply raising a divider; so they can aclimate themsleves to weather and their surroundings.
Its said 'only a bear could get to them inside' and is probably accurate as its quite well made and fully self-supporting for the 5 week duration, without need to refill water or propane. Though it is recommended to check on them once a week.

There is considerable habitat and food-plot work being done yearround on the ranch to benefit the birds once released; and they are sparing no expense in that regard... So 'it will not be lack of feed or cover' that determines whether they make it or not?
There is also a trapping-progarm being started as well, so should work..?

Another release is scheduled between now and September, of additional 63 pheasant using same surrogator, and both groups are being leg-banded with seperate dates; too determine if and how many survived into the upcoming hunting-season; when pursued afield.

I'll keep you posted on how things go here...

Moe

Further Proof I’m Crap when it comes to Conservation….

…’Ol Blue defied me this year?!

When it comes to supporting conservation organizations I have an infamous record of involvement that has many organizers’ wishing I’d never do so again.

Besides my multiple Quail Unlimited disasters, and another with DU I cant even refer to anymore without feeling like shit; there’s my history of just all around stupidity when it comes to auctions and banquets, that still has many who attended them with me refusing to do so ever again?!

Hell, my mother still brings up my brother's wedding and 'the garter belt incident', even though it took place over 20 years ago and I've appologized 5,000 times?!

...

Yes, if there’s a stage involved and liqour I was on both within minutes, and it never turned out as entertaining as I thought (especially on video)?
Now, even though I’ve elimintated the booze from the equation as best I can, it doesn’t mean I’m any brighter; or so last week’s Hatchopedia Party was a perfect example?

Each year they team-up with Greater Gallatin Watershed Council and hold an event where they auction off all sorts of things and throw a big shin dig in downtown Bozeman; culminating in giving away a beater truck:”ol Blue”, hauling a used drift-boat too.

I only know this because I was applying for work at a fly shop once and instead of giving me a job the assholes suckered me into buying a little blue raffle ticket, taking my last $10.00 bucks; so I’d obsess over winning the damned truck and boat for a whole unemployed month and ultimately not win a @*& damned thing?!

...

It was a quarter till 8 ‘o clock when I finally said “the hell with it, lets go!” and gathered up the girls in the truck and raced 100 miles per hour toward a destination unknown..?
I’d been putting it off, considering it wisely 'an utter waste of my time' all month, but wavered here and there and dreamt of floating down rivers in my very own boat.
Then that Thursday evening my OCD kicked in in a bad way' and with only seconds till the well advertised deadline and announcement: “of drawing at 8 o’clock sharp”; I exited onto Main Street determined to be there for my prize...?!

I would be pushing it as my watch said 7:59 and the gal on the phone moments ago assured me they were on-schedule and I “better hurry”; when giving me directions to what turned out to be the most popular building in town.
Never fully confident I’d win, I never bothered to determine where the party was being held, so when I was on I-90 I called information and was connected to a gal who told me: "the Baxter Ballroom was inside the Baxter Hotel" and when I asked where the hell that was; she nearly hung up on me saying:..“it’s the one with the huge sign dominating the Bozeman sky-line”, ...and I instantly recalled seeing it at least fifty times..duh.?


I parked two blocks behind it and could hear the crowd roar as I sprinted toward the hotel now 8:05. As I raced up toward the mezanine I heard another roar and was certain I’d missed the boat litterally?!

“Shit”!

...

The whole way there I’d rehearsed what I’d say when they called my number and how I’d confidently walk up to the stage and gracefully accept their applause and whisper to the announcer “I only wanted the boat, and to call another number for the truck”?

I’d been told something like this had happened the year before, true or not, I thought it’d be a neat thing to do; though incredibly stupid given I have no job nor money and wavered back and forth whether I would or wouldn’t; knowing the glove-box also was advertised as “stuffed with cash”?

I didn’t know how it would sound to say:”I just want the boat and trailer and cash in the glove box,..?” surely something would get lost in the translation over the cheering crowd, and I’d get pissed when they announced I’d redonated the whole thing!?

So I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d say, but was still ready and mentally prepared to win,...or argue with them if they didn’t wait for me to draw the damned thing if they hadn’t!

...

Good thing for them they hadn’t.

Instead I stood around like a jackass waiting for over 45 minutes as they stalled and the band played “one more song”; and squeezed the life outa the party of their own doing and pretty much pissed off the majority of the people that I could see?

It was a damned good thing I hadn’t arrived at 6 o’clock as many had apparently, only to be delayed over and over again with total BS from the young nieve announcers’ who thought it funny to keep pushing the crowds’ buttons and likely did themselves few favors for ‘the build-up’, that was even delayed once more when a young gal began the bidding for two fly fishing trips…?

I’ll say this she was hot and blonde, two key features I like in a woman (even if she was young enough to be my daughter), but when she began running her bloody mouth a million miles a minute; “an amatuer auctioneer” as she said she were; all dudes in the room rolled their eyes back in their heads in unison as any amount of hot ass or tits qualities were wasted once she reached her pitch and barely scrounged up ‘$375.00 for the trip’, which cost much more than that?

Thankfully a dude took over who nailed the next trip and it sold for a little over, but the mood was so that even the oraganizers’ were getting restless as folks in the crowd began cursing aloud (me) and someone even began a chant of “what the f**k”…”what the f**k” over and over (me again).

Even completely sober I’d broken my self-imposed motto before entering; and had even told myself aloud:”don’t make a fool of yourself in here”, but the gal auctioneer, combined with my racing there and risking a speeding ticket (which by the way would have been physically devastating to the organization if I’d gotten one), combined with my having to restrain myself from bidding on the guided trips and then pissed I had no money to do so. Nor another 10 bucks to my name to buy another opportunity (which I would have, had I’d found a job); I instead stood there mumbling profanities to myself at the entrance and unnerving several young attendees of what might happen if that really big guy by the door didn’t win?

Finally the basterds announced the winning number and by then any ‘build up’ was sure to be followed immediately by mass-evacuation, no matter how many beers folks had in them, or songs the shitty band continued playing…And so when they called a number that wasn’t mine I joined in the audible groan of loserdome of the hundred others’ there; excpet mine was a little more genuine, given I still don’t have a job, and was wishing I’d kept that ten bucks too!

…………

So I went home in the Montana Spring rain and patted my girls on their heads and began conversing with them as usual till all was forgotten. Once there I began mowing my lawn as my landlord insisted I do (with a nasty note on my door saying so); and then went about doing my part to drain the Lower Gallatin by leaving my sprinklers on all night in a torential thunderstorm.


Yes I suck at conservation, and think it best I for one never spend another minute or nickel on the damned things; and check that off my list of things I’ve done and failed to do... Still hoping someone out there continues though; with more money and a clearer head too perhaps...?





Moe

I’ve just bout givin up on bears….

If one doesn’t come down soon, whose just decided to commit suicide anyway, then wakes me and the girls by ‘tapping his claws on the window’; I think its safe to say - I wont be punching by bear-tag this season?

Especially considering I pretty much said %#&%* it a long time ago...

...

When the season was starting out I was excited and had even told numerous interviewers if they cant reach me:”Its probably because I’m bear hunting..?” I even left this on my answering-machine for a while, till it became apparent I’d likely never kill a bear, much less get a job using that line of thought.

“Ya cant eat em, can you..?” A guy asked, and I had to stand there and wonder if you could or couldn’t?

Maybe he’s right:”Why would anyone wanna kill a silly bear if ya cant even eat em..”
“…Besides, I don’t even have the $300.00 deposit it’d take to get a rug made..?”

- I always like to rationalise things this way, when it appears I’ll not get what I want. Same goes for working at fly shops or ever getting married…
”I don’t want no bitch tellin me what ta do anyway!?” I’ve said damned near evertime someone asked.

It works, though only till the next day when your applying for work at a stupid carwash or wishing someone would make you dinner for once, or wondering what it would be like to shoot a damned bear?

...

Yes, this is one that will keep nagging at me until I do it I guess. I did drive up to a couple places a friend told me about that “has huge bears” last week, but when I got there I realised this area was in fact one, like the gal at the Ranger Station had told me about; where ‘all the gates are locked’ and you have to walk near 2 miles across private porperty just to get into the public-zones, and then on from there if you wanna see a bear?

Once that was quickly nixed without even contemplating such a nuisance, I ventured toward the second ‘road-hunting possibility’ on my list, and couldn’t find where the damned thing started!?

“Shit”!

Before I knew it I was in Livingston and driving south along the Yellowstone and looking for the back-way in? I finally spotted it as the road seemed to go back toward Bozeman along Divide Hwy. A two-lane dirt road that stretches between the mountains and is considered ‘a short-cut’ by some when coming to the Yellowstone, but I’m thinking only for the scenery; as it was washboard in some areas and not any shorter than taking the highway I don’t think.



Still, it was beautiful and it had hillsides that probably held bears, but now that green-up is here; the bastards could be anywhere I suppose? At least none showed themselves on that trip either. I did spy some elk and lots of mule deer too, along with some way out lodges and cabins that were posted obnoxiously of course. So I drove onto the few entrances into NWR’s along the 50 mile stretch and once there realised of course, like most other places unless I hiked my butt up some steep shit, I wasn’t likely to find one raiding an empty trashcan, as I’d begun hoping for.

“A bear..? who gives a shit bout a bear anyway?” I told myself on the ride home, as I had every ride home for the past 2 weeks.

...

But of course, this line of thought only works until I log-in to another bloody hunting forum and see where soem jackass went out and shot one in his backyard and I wanna go all over again. So I’ve still got a few spots to checkout before this season wraps up and just maybe...I'll 'at least see one of the critters' if nothing else.


...

In the meantime I’ve ridden my bicycle almost everynight since I bought it, and have all totaled likely ridden at least a dozen miles? I’m pacing myself on anything longer than a 2 mile ride per day, as I really am putting a lot of pressure on that back rim, and the bikes putting equal pressure in areas of male anatomy that are never good.

I’ve gone on a diet that consists mostly of salad, tuna, and vegetables; with the occasional huge portion of BBQ or pizza when I’m so hungry I have to get out of bed in the middle of night and make a sandwich.

The diet, like the bike riding, are areas I kinda knew would be difficult to maintain, but I aim to do it for the sake of living another day. Also if I can shed a few pounds I might be more inclined to take up another trail here into a mountain range; though at this rate its looking more like I’ll be fit about a month after bear-season ends,...but should be good-to-go for elk and bird come next October…?

Moe

A GIANT for a giant……(idiot)…

I told myself: Buy a bicycle and maybe get laid someday…or a rocking-chair and sit on my porch for the rest of my life and just get fatter?

I’ve been wanting both, and heavily leaning toward the rocking chair simply because it would require a lot less effort and be cheaper. Plus there’s no guarantee of me getting laid, even if I do get a bicycle - but it would certainly help since I have no money.
____

My front porch is bare, yet offers amazing 180 degree views of the Bridger Mountains and one of my favorite pastimes is sitting on my fat ass …so a rocking chair would be nice to have? As then I could sit out there daily and stare at the mountains I’m unable to climb during elk-season, because I’m too fat and out of shape; …which is why I might be better off with a bicycle…?

Such are the childish dilemmas when you’re flat broke and feeling kinda stupid lately…
______

I shopped for a rocking chair at Murdoch’s, but they’re not in stock yet- it not being considered ‘Spring’ here in Bozeman; as there’s still threats of snow near every night of the week in the middle of bloody May?!


So I went to look at bicycles at the pawn shop, but found none to fit my girth and the one closest was “way too expensive for the piece of shit it is”; and I wasn’t shy about telling the pawn shop idiot either. Of course by doing so he ignored me shortly thereafter when I asked him 'how much the elk shoulder-mount went for?'

I found a nice bicycle at a store down near Main Street, but it was very expensive and the cost of about 4 rocking chairs, so I dilly dallied and just generally wasted the young fella’s time anyway; since I’d bothered to come in at all.
He didn't seem bothered even when I asked him to show me their largest version; a GIANT XL, which required him to climb up stairs and bring it down; and took about 15 minutes.

Once down he insisted I give it a spin out in the alley and I felt obliged.
The thing was huge even by my standards, though I’m 6’3”…“and weigh about 300” I told the kid; …I don’t think he bought the latter figure, as he had this look on his face that said he ‘was guessing much higher?’

He was probably right and it’s possible I’m about 330ish, but since I hadn’t weighed myself wisely (as it would be depressing) in well over 4 years; I stuck to my old favorite of 300. While I was likely off on my weight, there was little question I was off by much on “how long it’d been since I’d ridden a bicycle…?” which he asked hesitantly trying to get me to wear a helmet.

I guessed 10, but still scoffed at donning the silly thing for just a short ride, though could tell he was nervous about a lawsuit?
_______

‘Twelve years to be exact’, now thinking back, and this explained why I almost didn’t even mount the bloody thing the first time without taking a spill. I was embarrassed beyond belief by my lack of coordination and spun quickly to be sure no one saw what I’d just done. I can’t be sure if he did or didn’t, but was kind enough not to show it even if he had.

I got my balance after a few wavering feet and remarked to myself the truism:”you really do ‘never forget’?” I pedaled down the alleyway and thought “my God I’m actually riding a bicycle…look at me?”…and began thinking I might just buy the damned thing?

Then I caught my reflection in the bank window and my heart sank; that along with my girth visbly flattening the tires with each stroke; it was clear I’m much too large to be on ‘any bike’ other than a stationary one.

Wearing saggy denim jeans and a red and white flannel redneck shirt didn’t help one bit, as it was forever clear I’d gone far too long without exercise; and might be beyond the point of turning back…?

I was seriously bummed.

______

I quickly returned and remarked to the young fella how “the tires seemed to be riding rather low” and suggested “it might be lack of pressure?” ….He thankfully said “it was possible since it’d been in the attic so long” and kindly filled them up a bit more to capacity.

Looking for valid excuses not to buy and get the Hell outa there, I asked:…”What’s the weight-limit on these things?”

“Oh they don’t tell us that.”

Now the BS was almost insulting; he was being too kind; and obviously wanted to make a sale.

“Do you have one with fatter tires maybe; like on a beach cruiser?”

“I don’t think that’s the problem” he finally cracked- it was too much for him to hold back

He recovered quickly though, realizing what he’d just said and continued:”...but, but I’ve sold bikes to bigger guys before and they never complained?”

I just smiled knowing he was full of shit, but didn’t feel like proving I was certainly the fattest. Instead I inquired once more about ‘how many gears it has’ and he said “21” and I stood shaking my head? Much as I’d done when he’d said it earlier and foolishly showed my ignorance by asking if it “came with an instruction manual?” He had laughed at that, but quickly realized he was dealing the genuine article - a total fat dude loser who was being entirely serious, and hadn’t been on a bike in forever.

As I finally wimped out on the deal and said weakly I’d “think about it and be back tomorrow”.

…If there was one thing I was certain I’d accomplished on this rather fruitless adventure into the town of Bozeman, was several jokes would be circulating that evening in the local pub at my expense, but felt I’d at least bridged the gap of actually entering a fitness-store;…so that was a start?

______

On the way home I did stop at Wal-Mart and went directly to the fat men’s department, grabbed a pair of fitness looking pants - dark blue with the white double-stripe down the length and a matching jacket just the same; and went to the changing room with determination “I’d at the very least go home looking healthier, if not a pound lighter for my effort.”

I asked if they’d mind me wearing the items out to my truck, and they obliged - though sent an embarrassed looking skinny teenager with me to make sure the fat ass paid for his $30.00 Al Sharpton costume…?

Once in the truck it became apparent, I’d just blown another afternoon NOT looking for a job, and NOT feeling any better about myself, and worst of all Now had nowhere to keep my wallet, nor car keys; not bothering to get one with #@x% pockets..!?

____

This was about 2 weeks ago when all of the above occurred…, but since I just spent two full days without getting outa bed following my total-bust bear hunt; where I almost died from heart palpitations twice; I went to town this morning with the determination to buy the damned thing, ride the damned thing, and maybe even survive another season here in Montana!?

Of course five minutes later me and the girls found ourselves in the Arby’s drive-thru, but I aim to begin a diet of sorts as well (tomorrow).

…And if by some stroke of luck and timing, along with my new found physique, I get laid in the next 6 months; I’ll consider that a bonus…!?

_____

I can already see there’s at least one problem with it, after my little two-mile spin this evening…and that is “I’m gonna need a bigger seat until my ass gets a lot smaller”; else my underwear might have to be surgically removed if I ever try that again.

That and I might take my bicycle for a ride to a neighborhood not my own (in back of truck), until I lose about fifty pounds..? As besides the bumpy gravel-road and being dusted every 60 seconds by passing trucks, I attracted quite a lot of unnecessary attention this evening from folks who don’t know me but have seen me around; and even had a few cows and horses stop what they were doing and stare at the fat ass on the bicycle?


Moe

Day 3

It’s a mystery to me and many of my friends (and former employers) “what exactly goes on inside that head I carry around on my shoulders..”(and many have said as much over the years)?!

At last post it was midnight Ennis time, and I was whooped! …I said I was gonna ‘hit it hard this morning’ and well; I did except for whatever reason I cannot explain; I drove out of the motel and went 5 miles toward where I hunted yesterday, then turned-around abruptly and headed toward a destination-unknown..?

“Wait what..?”
_________

There’s at least three reasons why I did it; take your pick…

I’m “an idiot” is the easiest, but lets skip that one and explain that while I’d said “the Utah guys’ report wasn’t discouraging” – in fact it was, once I slept on it.
…That they’d said they’d ‘been there all week and hadn’t seen a black bear (but two griz)’; ..this made me think this was not the place to revisit?

With the exception of one small bear track I came across yesterday, I really didn’t see much sign otherwise; and when they said “they hadn’t either” - again, my ‘dreams of killing a bear’ were interupted by common-sense telling me to go elsewhere?
…The problem with ‘my version of common sense’ is its’ often without using the proper map, nor any reamaining brain cells I have left.
__________

Not only was the Utah guys’ poor report of bear-sightings a factor, but as I was leaving last night and heading toward Ennis, no less than a dozen campers with ATV’s on the backs of them were pulling into the area I’d just left; so this too played a key role in my spontaneous decision to try elsewhere.

…And finally, it was one of the Utah guys themselves who asked me:”You know where the tobacco range is; ‘we heard that was good’..?” and my hesitance at what the hell he was talking about, that stuck in my head and didn’t appear until much later…

However, after a sleepless night of tossing and turning and awaking to more pain in my lower body than I’ve felt since elk-season; I grabbed a map and took it to the shitter. Once there I thought “you know that’s not very far from here actually, but in the other direction..?” - As on my map at least it, was in big bold letters: “Tobacco Range”; how the other guys missed it is beyong me?

So before I knew what was happening I was cruising thru Virginia City and looking for the Granite Creek turnoff (ended up being just past Nevada City actually)..and turned down a one-way road without a clue where it lead, or if it even went all the way to the big green glob that indicated a National Forest’ was somewhere north of there? It didn’t help I was using the very basic of BLM maps and roads seemed to almost vanish into themselves for whatever reason..?
________

And this is where things turned bad. The roads actually vanished into themselves.

“Shit”!

Finally I came to a handdrawn sign indicating ‘forest this way..’ and that I wasn’t the only dumbshit to have gone down the wrong road apparently?!

Well I put her in 4x4, having made that mistake before, and fore long I was on top of the world and looking down on what I said to myslef was “pure bear country”, but instead didn’t see butkus for over 3 hours.


“Shit”!?

_____

It seemed I’d somehow gotten myself into a desert, rather than a mountain-range with forested trees or streams like before. I recognized the area for great elk hunting and amybe mule deer up there, but not so great anything else...?

So not seeing any 'spring bears' as I was hunting them; I just did what came natural and went in even further up the slippery slope…(idiot).

...Ten more miles by the odometer, "road-hunting" at a snails pace, and I found myself at a complete deadend of muddy snow-pack, up to my bumper, and nowhere else to go but back...?!

“Shit”! (…was not what I said)


...So I did, at a snails pace again, as the incline I’d traversed up was making my bad brakes squeal their last breath; …all the way down.

“…Total bust!”
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Next on my list of stupid things to do, I instead of turning back toward Ennis, and toward the way I knew home; I took a right and drove blindly toward that “Ruby River” the biologist had confused me about..? And before I knew it I was passing thru Alder (had never been there before or even heard of it) and headed toward “the Ruby Dam” where I didn’t see a dam thing, but was quite pretty none the less..?



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Backtracking thru Alder I surmised “there must be more National Forest accesses somewhere up this way…”; so turned and headed north. Since even parts of my state BLM map had vanished, I went to my State Farm Altas, but this only told me I was taking ‘a really long way home’ if I decided to, at the end of this bloody day..?

I don’t know why I passed the first three exits into the forest, but maybe it was just the names that didn’t sit well – hell they were so forgettable I don’t even know them now? Still when I saw “Wisconsin Creek” I just turned not having a clue where it lead, but did seem like thick-woods might be in my future, judging by the snow capped horizon…

I drove first by some amazing homes and the kind of cabins I’ve always dreamed of, and tried not to grow bitter at seeing them, but as is my nature I quit waving to their lederly owners’ after the first few. Within 5 miles I was in a National Forest and one not to shabby looking either..?

Except for one thing. Unless you had an ATV you weren’t going any further than I did without hiking and since my balls…well lets forget about my balls for a second, but my calves were not doing much better; …I maybe hoofed it a few hundred yards before returning to my truck and vowing to get a job as soon as possible; then get a god damned ATV as soon after that..?!

“Fuck it”!
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“If ya cant beat em join em I always say..?” (…actually I haven’t in the past, but do now..)

Yup, this is my new motto and I aim to live by it, same goes for shooting hundred pound bears; first one I see next time out is dead meat!

If there were one plus-side to this adventure, besides the best day I ever had in Montana, it was a further appreciation for what this great state has to offer…as apposed to others I’ve lived or visited before. In the lower forty-eight there simply is no other comparison as far as places you can just 'go on a whim' or enter if you can reach them...and I’m really happy I moved to Montana, and cant wait to go after spring bear again next week…

….Stay tuned...


Moe

Day 2

Either the lady at the Ranger Station had her info wrong, or I dont know where I'm hunting? I got to the area behind West Fork Cabins and the roads looked fine and open? Lots of tire tracks all the way up the mountain?

I couldn't figure it out...?

...Being mister 'follow the rules' though, I parked and began walking up the mountain.

It didnt take long though before I began experiencing those familiar fat guy hiking issues all over again; shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and discomfort from having parts of my body rub together that haven't in a while? As I stood to hyperventilate for the first of many times today, I glanced back and realised I hadn't even gone two hundred yards?

"Shit"!

I struggled on and eventually was convinced I'd gone "at least a mile"; when I heard something coming from behind and looked to see some old dude cruising along in an blue beater four-door Plymouth, and casually waved looking at me like the fool I was for walking?!

"you bastard"!

I went right back to my down to truck and said the hell with it, if he can I can too!

On the way back I was suprised too see 3 nice bulls with their horns in velevet, not huge yet of course antler-wise, but big bodied!? I hadnt brought camera on my little walk, so missed a shot; but was a neat encounter as they were less than fifty yards away; wind perfect and they never knew I was there.

The group of cows pictured above was in exact same place as bulls were earlier, but 8hours later on way out. Where ANY of them were hiding during season is the real mystery??



I found my 'meadows' as I remembered them, but after a two mile (very slow) walkabout on the logging road around it, and glassing them it from all sides; I headed back to look for greener pastures?

It seemed the higher I went the more brown it got and the lower was much lusher, so headed back down.

I walked up on this young moose and he let me take a dozen shots of him. It was very cool as he's the first one I've seen this year and only the second ever in Montana. While other folks see them quite regular I almost never do; so it was another neat encounter for the day!




I made mental note of the presence of several of these beeuties and while this one startled me a bit walking up beind me while I glassed the opposing slope; I didnt mind the visit.




Didnt see any bears this day, but whata gorgeous afternoon! Probably the nicest day I can recall in Montana? Not sure what it was, but I just felt great out there all alone and damn near was most of the afternoon, excpet a couple other guys hunting too.




I'm gonna hit it hard tomorrow too, even though after talking with two guys from Utah who have been there all week and seen no blacks, but two griz; I'm not discouraged...though am keeping my eyes peeled for the brown type?

I'm staying in Ennis tonight, here at cheap motel. I'll check back in tomorrow night and hopefully have had better luck on the bear hunt...as far as a better day though; its gonna be tough to beat!

Gorgeous...

Moe

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