News From the Front

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It is windy and raining today so I’ll confine my efforts to indoor chores. This means I didn’t go out with my camera this morning, so I’ll give you a few images from previous excursions I don’t think I’ve used before.

As I write this post there is a 17 pound cat lying on my arm. He thinks that, if he makes things as difficult as possible for me, I’ll give him more treats. He doesn’t care that I’m trying to get something done – he wants what he wants when he wants it. The good news is that he’s in no position to kill the dog if he’s focused on me. 🙂

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We all know that animals rarely give a damn about our priorities. Everything is always all about them. Fishermen complained all summer about the seals interfering with their ability to catch herring. I’m not speaking here about the cute little harbor seals but about the enormous, ravenous ones. Shutting off the fish, or spending many hours and dollars to build a weir, only to have your catch decimated by giant sea mammals can make people a bit testy.

Cue late October and those same fisherman head to the mainland to spend the Deer Season in camps built in forests which are home to their prey.

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I mentioned last time that apples are spread on the ground around hunters’ blinds – the better to attract deer within rifle range. As part of their preparation the hunters also attach motion sensor cameras to their blinds. This way they can tell what time of day is best for planting themselves up a tree in wait. Images from the cameras are examined and compared and the hunters share their results.

This year’s reconnaissance has been disturbing. Oh there are some deer and also moose (which they can’t hunt right now) but the largest population in the area appears to be bears. It’s not one bear visiting all the blinds – it’s a lot of different bears. Big ones. Last month one of the hunters had his new truck destroyed because he left some bags of apples in it. These animals really don’t care about what obstacles are put in their paths – they’re going to take what they want.

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Now, if they have the right license the men/women out there can hunt bears. Still, imagine you have spent weeks preparing your blind, your cameras, your area for deer and they’ve seemingly been chased away by big hairy beasts. Being a caring, supportive, friend I pointed out that this is just the dry land version of what they’ve been dealing with all summer. Think of them as furry seals with really sharp claws. This wasn’t considered helpful – apt but not welcome.

I further suggested that they remember my favourite Eddie Izzard bit – Do You Have A Flag? If they come across a territorial marker they should just assume the bears have claimed the forest for themselves. I also (helpfully) said they should keep an eye out for the Black Bear Border Patrol. I don’t think the passports which get us into Maine will be sufficient. Apparently they don’t think I’m taking this situation seriously. 🙂

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