A Successful Shed Hunt

Small Moose antler, missing three points.

First, this morning 6:30 a.m.  the march of the white tails.  For the last couple of weeks, two small herds of deer have graced the hill across the road from my house.  They first emerged when the hillside was clear of snow.  Ever since then, they have come in the evening just before dusk.  Now they are coming out after dawn.  In the morning, they move from north to south.  In the evening, just the opposite.  All the deer (10-12) appear vigorous, and quite lively.  I have to attribute their good health to a neighbor on Cochrane Rd., who feeds the deer through the    winter.

Yesterday, Evvy and I drove up to Lempster.  We had it on good authority, that we might find some Moose sheds in the vicinity of a "certain undisclosed" road.   So I chose a random spot to park beside the road near a snowmobile trail.  By the way, still plenty of snow up there to snowmobile on.  I put the snowshoes on, and we were off.  I took a reading on my compass, and headed east along the trail.  I looked for Moose tracks crossing the trail, but saw only a few. Evvy of course was content running down the trail, and off the trail.   Suddenly, she appeared from the woods, carrying this shed!  I threw my hands up in the air, and shouted, "yes!".  Evvy was not eager to give up her prize.  She would have been happy as a clam, to gnaw on that antler.  But I grabbed it, and tied up on my back.  I asked Evvy where the other antler was.  She headed down to where she found the first.  I followed, and tried to find the other, or any antlers.  We didn't find the it.  So we continued on down the trail, up hill, and down.  I decided to walk a large square area, and return to the trail later on.   I was limited on time, so I covered only a few square acres.   Occasionally, I would pop out near a house.  I had hoped to be deeper in the woods.  The antler we found was relatively near a road, and a house, along a sunny slope with stands of young Beeches.  On the opposite side of the trail, thicker woods of Spruce, White Pine, and some oaks.  We came upon a bog where it was easy to walk with snowshoes.  I was sure this would be a gold mine.  But it wasn't to be.  Evvy continued to forage for Snowshoe hare, which seem to be plentiful in that area.  Evidently, she was less interested in antlers.  I think the snow is still pretty deep, maybe too deep to find the big sheds.  I will continue the search nevertheless.

Sullivan Bushwhack II

Sunday Evvy and I headed back to the Sullivan/Stoddard boundary near Woods Mill.  There a substantial wetland there, so I thought it would be prime Moose territory.  Quite a bit of snow has melted, but there is still over a foot in many places.  So I put the snowshoes on.  We were out there around 11:00 a.m.   I didn't see any other hiking tracks, so I was hopeful that I might be the first to look for Moose sheds.....any sheds for that matter.  There was a rumor that this area is a hot spot for sheds.  Well.....not

today.  I found a place full of recent activity, but I determined that it was two Moose.  A cow, and her yearling.  There were hanging out in the spruces, and mucky spots.  Plenty of sign, but no rubs, so I was disappointed.  So I shifted my thought to just exploring the wetland, and all it offered.  It was a perfect "sunny 16" (f16) day.  

Mallard drake

I was drawn to the water, as was Evvy.  She walked right into the reeds and laid right down.   A shiver ran down my spine.  But she is a water rat for sure.  We stopped at a clearing, and I sat on a large boulder at the edge of the river that passes through the wetland.  I just sucked the marrow out of the day.  Evvy discovered a chipmunk under the boulder.  She spend some time trying to get that chippy out.  At one point, I could see only her tail from atop that rock.   In the "end" she never did get the chipmunk.

We worked our way around half the area, not concentrating on Moose sheds so much as enjoying the scenery.   I saw a lone Mallard drake floating around.  I wondered if he had been in a flock.  Just what was his story?  The brilliant green of his head and neck was a beautiful flash of color amongst the browns, grays, and blue of the sky.  I'm so thankful spring is breaking out in bits and pieces like this.

Sullivan Bushwhack, etc.

Yesterday, inspired by my recent introduction to "Shed Hunting", I went to an undisclosed location in Sullivan.....must be kept on a "need to know" basis. But seriously, the location was off Bowler Rd.

Climbing stand left hanging til next time

I knew Moose frequented this area, so it seemed likely I might an antler.....or something. I parked near a Nature Conservancy boundary marker, donned snowshoes, and headed off to the northeast with my faithful companion, Evster. We walked around a large wetland area with some open water already showing. I dared not cross it as I had crossed Chandler Meadow last weekend.

At first, the lack of sign of any kind was disappointing and discouraging. Not a single track, or skat. Sure there were signs from months, and years ago, but nothing recent. I thought the environment here was perfect for moose and deer. I still think this to be true.

Ground hunting blind, not far from the climber

We walked endlessly, in large circles, taking extra time to look for the most minute of indications. I came upon some Fisher tracks and followed them for a bit. Then there lying on the snow was a leg. A rear lower leg of a young Moose. The leg was the result of a successful hunt. Killed by a person, the Moose was quartered and hauled away. Evvy decided, promptly the leg would be hers. She dragged the leg around for miles. She would frequently stopped to chew on the hooves, which are apparently her favorite. As she chomped on the prize, I reminded her that she would
not be bringing it home with her. I let Evvy carry this leg with her for some time before I finally took it away, and hung it in a tree. Thank goodness, dogs can quickly move on from disappointment. Otherwise, we might still be there trying to strike a compromise.

It's my opinion that you find more neat things out there, when you leave the trail, so bushwhacking yesterday made sense. Though I'm not familiar with the terrain, I was armed with my GPS, compass, and Topo map of the area. My plan was to walk around the wetland, and return to Bowler Rd. There are several trailheads into the conservancy easement, at least two on Bowler Rd. alone. As we made our way through the woods, I eventually popped out onto one of the conservancy trails. I took the opportunity to walk on the trail for a bit as a break. Previously, the walking wasn't bad, but there were still deep spots in the snow. Deep and soaking wet spots, over the boots wet.

So we walked along until I found a Moose track, very melted but followable nevertheless. Back into the woods once more. Not moments in, I found the climber stand hanging near the ground, probably to be used each year. Nearby, a ground stand had been creating by piling up fallen limbs, and placing a discarded lawn chair inside. A bit farther away, a "Sullivan standard" awaiting its next customer. The door was good construction. I opened the box, out of curiosity. I like to imagine all the potential surprises that might be inside. A corpse? Half a box of Dunkin Donuts munchkins? Who knows? This time, I found only a huge pile of pine cone shells, not even any "TP". But the construction was excellent, and will stand the test of time I'm sure.

Evvy and I walked for hours. I found evidence of only one Moose in the area. Occasional piles of skat of different ages, and no recent tracks. This Moose would be a young one, not much bigger than the hunting victim. I had eaten a Clif Bar, and finished most of my water, so I decided to head back to the truck. The hike was a success even without a shed.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.......

A Barred Owl sits at the base of a White Pine

For the last couple of weeks, I've had a Barred Owl on my property, very close to my shed. I had seen it fly through the trees at first. Then I saw it perched no higher than about 3' off the snow. The owl had successfully caught a Grey Squirrel, and I hoped he would continue to lower the squirrel population. The tree rats have made pigs of themselves at my birdfeeder, so they would not be missed. I thought it strange the owl would be so dangerously close the ground each day.

I continued to watch. Then Friday morning, as I took Evvy out for her "constitutional". She yanked me down the steps, on to the glare ice. I landed on my ~!@#. I wasn't impressed, as she pulled me through the bird seed and bird crap. Then I looked up at what Evvy was trying desparately to catch. The owl! I could not yell at Evvy enough, I was so mad. I reeled her in, and dragged her back into the house. The owl was now tangled in a briar patch. With thick leather gloves on, I went to the owl and removed it from it entanglement. It barely tried to bite me. I carefully, folded its wings back onto it's sides, and lifted it away. I looked him over carefully, noting that he was blind in the right eye. Not merely blind, he had no iris! How in the world had he survived this long? In addition to his vision issue, one of his talons wasn't working right. I attempted to place him on a perch, but the talon wouldn't hold. So I sat him on top of my generator which wasn't running at the time. He was able to stand at last.


Later that day, when I came home from work, I returned to find him sitting on a bare spot near the brook. I resolved to catch him and bring him to Deb Gode a wildlife rehabilatator in Winchester. I called her and told her what I had. She would meet me in Keene, and check the owl out. It took no more than ten minutes to catch the owl without incident, or injury. I called Deb back and told her I'd be in Keene in a bit. We met at an agreed upon spot. Deb, who is a vet tech in addition to being a rehabilitator, checked the owl for serious injury. She took a look at the blind eye, and was quite astonished by what seemed to be a natural handicap. Otherwise the bird was malnourished, and undersize. His wings were fine, but weak. Deb said she would take the owl to Dr. Rich Righter, who specializes in birds. Then Deb would place the owl in a wild bird refuge. She was hopeful that this owl would survive, and thrive with help. I was so glad. I was checking on him every day while he lived in my yard. I feared he would die soon without help. Now he will live another day, perhaps many more.

Beyond Center Pond

On wednesday, I decided to explore the back side of Center Pond to search for Moose, and/or Deer sign. I didn't bring Evvy because I knew there would be a fairly thick icy crust, and I didn't want her legs to get cut up. The snow out there is four feet deep, more in the drifts.

I thought for sure I'd find deer yards near the end of Center Pond where there is open, running water leading to Chandler Meadows. 

At the bridge on this woods road, I beared off to the right to get closer to the thick brush. Thank god I had snow shoes on. I would never have been able to navigate through this deep snow. I worked my way in to the brush, and out the other side to mostly upland hardwoods, and also spruce. I didn't see a single sign. 

This old Farmall tractor sits awaiting summer, when it will/maybe start and drag felled trees back to camp.

I kept moving north and west along the slope, and came across two rustic camps with no conveniences. I imagined these hangouts would be great get-a-ways in the summer. At the second camp, I followed a trail made with nylon rope, cut in 10" lengths and fashioned into pigtails. Each pigtail was tied to a branch along the way. Soon the wind picked up, and skies grew dark, and squalls of snow blew in. One squall after another came through for about fifteen minutes each time.

I followed the pigtail trail to the "main" woods road that leads eventually toward Robinson Hill.  There are a few trails that break away from the main trail.  I chose to turn left and return to the bridge, where I would go down to Chandler Meadow.   I made my way down to the relief of flatness on the meadow/swamp.   I snowshoed along the snow covered ice, as the wind blew stink.  The wind nearly blew me over.  If the ice had been clear of snow, I would have enjoyed sliding along with the wind.  The snow squalls continued, but I was determined to find some sign of life out there.   I got on to one of the small islands, where I found a moose trail.  A single moose trail.  Nothing recent, but some good rubs on the shrubby spruce trees.   I left the island and headed for an area of thick blueberry bushes and alders.   Lots of places where antlers had been thrashing the plants, but no tracks.  No deer tracks either.   I think chances of finding sheds in this area will be better once some of the snow melts.  Still, I need to focus on habitat, and terrain to locate the moose and deer yards.  I'm getting closer.  I do fear though, that the winter kill this year will be far-reaching.