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.