Jericho Wildlife

As I mentioned in a recent post, I've been trying out a Bushnell® HD Trophy Cam game camera, provided courtesy of Bushnell®. This is the first game camera I have used and I am very impressed with the quality of the pictures over varying conditions. I am also impressed with how sensitive the camera is to movement. A small Red Squirrel climbing a tree triggers the camera, as does a dove landing under the feeder. Snow and wind doesn't seem to set off the camera, which is a good thing in Vermont.

Startled Deer

The camera records the camera name (useful if you are using multiple cameras), the temperature, the moon phase, the date, and the time the picture was taken. After viewing dozens of pictures, a certain repeated sequence of events has started to emerge: animals feeding around the bird feeder; startled animals flee; Cabot (the wonder dog) appears in the next picture frame. Needless to say, I have at least as many pictures of Cabot as I do of any "real" wildlife. Cal (the Brittany) is also in a couple pictures, but, at 13, he's a bit slower out of the gate.

I've also learned a thing or two playing with Bushnell® HD Trophy Cam game camera. First, if you don't push the camera on switch all the up, the camera stays in the set-up mode. If the camera is in the set-up mode, you get no pictures. Second, you can tell a lot from the sequence shots - where the animals come from, how long the feed or stay in the area, and how frequently they return. I've also learned that the dogs will chase anything off that little hill.

The infrared flash also works great. The benefit of an infrared flash is that you can take night photos without scaring off game.  Early this month I woke up to the smell of skunk. It smelled like it was in the house...just terrible. My wife didn't smell anything since she could sleep through Armageddon (or my snoring). I went up to the game camera a couple days later, took out the memory card, plugged it into my computer, and, sure enough, the camera caught the skunk heading off after its odoriferous ruination of my sleep.

So far the camera has taken pictures of an English Setter named Cabot, deer (lots of does), Red Squirrels, an English Setter named Cabot, Grey Squirrels, an English Setter named Cabot, Karen going to the compost bin, Karen returning from the compost bin, birds of all sort, and an English Setter named Cabot. I can't wait for spring and the possibility of getting photos of more game. I'm hoping to catch a bear when the weather improves. We've also seen Fisher and Barred Owls around the house.

Cabot, center of picture, stalking his shadow

I was talking with my friend Leo the other day about the game camera and he told me of all the wildlife he has seen over the years. Leo travels Brown's Trace Road four days a week to work and, as one would expect, Leo has seen quite a few critters. He has seen a great number of deer and several moose.  In one month period a few years ago, Leo saw a Fisher cross the road six times at the same spot and at almost the exact same time of day.  Just a couple weeks ago, Leo saw a bobcat about a mile past Clark's Truck Center, an animal he has only seen twice before, despite having been a hunter for over 60 years.  The last bobcat Leo saw was over 40 years ago.

I have to admit I absolutely love the Bushnell® HD Trophy Cam game camera.  However, I am wondering if maybe I shouldn't just strap a camera to Leo and send him on his daily commute!

Bob Howe and the Pine Grove Program for those who served

Mountain Gazette, March 7, 2013 edition, p. 10.
click here for the Mountain Gazette

Bob Howe (right) at Yankee Sportsman's Classic

One of the seminar speakers I was fortunate enough to hear speak at the 2013 Yankee Sportsman’s Classic in Essex Junction back in January was Bob Howe. Bob is a Registered Maine Master Guide with a lodge in Pleasant Ridge Plantation, Maine, who started hunting and trapping at age 10. Bob spoke about hunting coyotes and snowshoe hare, the latter with beagles from his pack of 27. Bob comes across as a quintessential Maine Guide – tall, bearded, self-deprecating, dry sense of humor, and exuding competence.

Bob has been guiding professionally for almost 40 years. He said he goes to about 14 sportsmen and trade shows a year where he sells his snowshoes and snowshoe furniture to raise funds for his Pine Grove Program (more about that below). Most of Bob’s guiding business is generated by word of mouth. Bob guides about 250 times a year – hunting and fishing for just about all legal game in the State of Maine.

In 1998, Bob and his wife, Andrea, bought Pine Grove Lodge (http://www.pinegrovelodge.com/). The lodge is a four-season sporting camp with room for up to 45 people. They offer guide service, cabin rentals, bed & breakfast stays, and many activities.

Back when Bob was just 18 he started taking military Veterans on fishing trips. He’d go to the local VFW and offer older Veterans rides to the lake and fishing tackle to use. Once Bob and Andrea bought their lodge, Bob began offering free sporting trips to Veterans and members of the armed services he would meet at trade shows. This was the beginning of the “Pine Grove Program.” After 9/11, they started inviting first responders to 9/11 and other disasters to participate in the wilderness adventures. The program has grown into a plan of action, with many helping hands, fundraisers, and organized events for groups, as well as private trips for the American hero and his or her family. Bob is a big believer in the natural therapeutic benefits of the Maine outdoors. The mission of the Pine Grove Program is to provide free outdoor experiences to Service members, Veterans, Gold Star Families, and first responders to major man-made and natural disasters. You don’t have to hunt or fish to enjoy the program. It provides an opportunity for participants to enjoy the outdoors and relax and reconnect. If you or someone you know could benefit from the program, you can obtain more information at www.pinegroveprogram.com/. The program is also wonderful at accommodating people with disabilities.

Bob and Andrea are truly generous people. Bob loves the outdoors and it shows. He can tell a good story, especially about hunting with his beagles. How could stories about 27 beagles not be entertaining? Even without the generosity of running the Pine Grove Program, it would be tough not like a guy who is so devoted to his dogs.

If you are interested in the Pine Grove Program, please give Bob and Andrea a call, they are expecting you. If you’re simply a humble sportsman or woman, too old to enlist in the military, but otherwise interested in some great hunting and fishing opportunities, you can also give Bob and Andrea a call. I’m hoping to get up to the Pine Grove Lodge next March for snowshoe hare and coyotes.

Upcoming Local Events:

-Ruffed Grouse Society Banquet, March 9, 2013, for more information please contact Jay Pierce at 802-425-3329 or bcjtpierce@gmavt.net.

-Trout Unlimited Banquet, March 23, 2013, for more information please contact chapter president, Gary West at dewey2475@me.com.

-Duck’s Unlimited Banquet, April 6, 2013, for more information please contact Art Bristol at 802-899-2460 or awbrist@myfairpoint.com or Christy Incerpi at 802-598-6279 or cincerpi@hotmail.com.

Please visit www.sportingafield.blogspot.com for more news, musings, and interviews or to leave questions or comments.

Bird Dogs are more expensive than planned, Part 2 of 3

Katie and me riding in the car.
Katie:  "Daddy, we thought that Mommy would be really happy with the puppy, but she wasn't.  She was really mad.  But it isn't my fault right?  Because I'm just a kid.  You're big and you should have known better.  Right?"
Me:  "That's right honey.  It is Daddy's fault.  He should have known better."

Katie loves the new puppy

Burdock was a good puppy.  He was very sweet and easy to house train.  I took a week or so from work to start his training.  Coworkers commented that I took more time off after getting the puppy than I had taken off when my girls were born.  That may be true, but my mother-in-law didn't offer to come over to help out when I brought the puppy home like she did when the girls came home.  And while Karen had no interest in anything puppy-related, she had stopped working (outside of the home) and reluctantly picked up with puppy care when I was at work.

Burdock's arrival put a distinct chill in my relationship with my children's mother.  In fact, for the better part of a month Karen and I hardly spoke.  It was a time of quiet reflection.  One day, while I was at work, Karen was bringing Burdock back into the house after he took care of his puppy business and she found Maddie "choking" on a Barbie shoe.  At least that is the story.  Karen seemed to think it was rather thoughtless of me to expect her to watch both a two-year old and a puppy.  I found it somewhat ironic that I'd get in trouble because the two-year old was chewing on things and not the puppy.

Something had to give.  I really liked that puppy, but I new the children were very fond of their mother.  Would it be the puppy or the wife.  I considered my options.  There weren't many.  I told Karen I'd get rid of the puppy.  The Soviets won the Cold War.

Brother Kirk gets a new pal

I didn't feel right advertising or trying to sell Burdock.  He was a very good puppy and I hated to see him go.  Katie wasn't too happy about it either.  She kept reminding me, "but Daddy, I really love that puppy."  It was a fun time, really.  Then I got an idea.  I wondered if my brother Kirk would like a puppy.

So I called up Kirk, who lived in Connecticut at the time, to see if he'd like a great little puppy.  He said he'd have to ask his wife Anita.  I told him that I thought it was a good idea to ask his wife before bringing home a puppy.  (I may be slow, but I can be taught.)  Kirk got back on the phone and said he could have the puppy, but he had to promise Anita she could have another baby.  I don't know whether that is true or not, but they did have another daughter after Kirk got Burdock.  I used to tell my niece Jessica that she needed to be very nice to Burdock because she owed him a lot!

We drove up to Connecticut to visit my parents and to meet Kirk to give him Burdock.  Kirk said he was getting dagger eyes from Katie as he led Burdock away.  Katie was certainly sad to see her puppy go, but I'm sure she never gave Kirk dagger eyes.  She didn't learn how to do that until she was a teenager.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger

Frozen pond off the Long Trail

One of my New Year's resolutions was to get outside more during the off season, both to scout and to get some exercise.  The last couple of weekends I've headed out snowshoeing up to Vermont's Long Trail on Mount Mansfield.

Yesterday I snowshoed up the Nebraska Notch trail to its intersection with the Long Trail, then took the Long Trail south.  It was mid-twenties with wind gusts up to almost 5 mph (thanks to WeatherHawk for the WindMate 350).

One or two snowshoers had gone up the Nebraska Notch trail before me, but I was the first snowshoer to head south on the Long Trail.  My destination was Taylor Lodge.

View from Taylor Lodge

It is just over two miles up to Taylor Lodge.  As you'd expect, most of the climb is up.  Lots of up. However, there are many relatively flat areas and some descents as well.  Total ascents for the round-trip hike are over 7,800 feet.

I took a short break upon reaching the lodge, after doing a brief "Rocky" dance.  I was packing up to head back when a group of three middle-aged ladies arrived.  (If they read this, I just assume they were middle-aged based on their wit and maturity.  They all look much younger.)  The ladies thanked me for breaking trail for them - which I thought was kind.  If nothing else, I am a superb trail-breaker.  I have fairly large snowshoes and that snow ends up pretty well packed down.

Another view from Taylor Lodge

On my way back from the lodge I met quite a few snowshoers heading up the mountain and one back-country skier.  Almost everyone I met on the  trail was accompanied by a dog or two.  Whenever I couldn't find a blue or white blaze I could always locate a yellow "blaze" left by a four-legged hiker.

It was great to get outside and it was great to get such good exercise.  Snowshoeing up a mountain is pretty exhausting and is difficult enough that you don't need to be carrying extra weight.  I'll add this to my growing list of arguments to lose some pounds.  Good thing I gave up donuts for Lent.  Maybe I'll get a lighter pack.

Porch of Taylor Lodge

Now that I'm inserting photos in this post it has dawned on me that perhaps I should have taken a picture as I approached the lodge.  I'll have to go back and do that, but not today!

Bird Dogs are more expensive than planned, Part 3 of 3

Burdock was gone and my fragile marriage was restored.  I asked Karen that since I had gotten rid of the puppy was she going to return her new shoes?  To paraphrase, her response was, "no!"

The Cold War was over, but was I happy?  I really enjoyed Burdock and I was now bird dog-less.  How could I ever grow up to have an outdoor blog without having a bird dog?  What to do?

Maddie helping to pick out a new puppy

They say that money can't buy love.  That may be true, but money did buy me a second chance at a bird dog.  As part of my contrition, I agreed to several home improvements Karen wanted.  We installed hardwood floors upstairs and put in a full bath in the finished basement for guests - both significant investments at the time.

In the months following Burdock's relocation to Connecticut, Maddie learned to play with toys rather than trying to eat them and I had been a very good renovating husband.  I thought the time might be right to ask Karen if we could get another bird dog.  She said sure, like nothing had ever happened.

Katie with Tupper on our way home

I called Del Rossi and told him that my brother had been taking care of Burdock and had become very attached to him so we decided Kirk could keep Burdock and we'd get another puppy.  That seemed to be a better story than I had to give the dog away, but six months later I was in the market for another puppy.

Karen was a good sport and the whole family drove back to Cap May, New Jersey to pick out a puppy.  The girls played with about 5 puppies for quite a while.  Finally, one puppy just walked up into Katie's lap and fell asleep.  Katie looked up at me and said, "Daddy, I want this one."  And that is the one we got.  We named him Tupper, after Tupper Lake, where both my parents are from.

Karen learns to love again

For me, Tupper was a great dog.  He was easy to train and was a solid hunting companion.  He also developed into a tremendous office dog, joining me each day, without fail, in my home office.  He didn't work overtime, but was solid throughout the day.  He is gone now, but he is remembered fondly and is still missed.  I never would have gotten Tupper if I hadn't given Burdock to Kirk...and without Burdock...Jessica?  Who knows?  Things seem to have worked out fine.

Bird Dogs are more expensive than planned, Part 1 of 3

Back in our days in Virginia, when I was just a budding sportsman wannabe, I had a dream of having my own bird dog.  I researched breeds and research breeders.  Occasionally, the anticipation of an event ends up being far different than the eventual reality of it.  This is especially true if you don't share your puppy plans with your wife.  Trust me; this I know.

First, some background.  My wife Karen had decided that she'd like to leave work and stay home to raise our daughters.  Katie was 5 and Maddie was 2 by the time this was economically viable.  I figured that with Karen staying home, there couldn't be a better time to get that Brittany puppy I had always wanted (since I talked myself into it).  While we hadn't discussed it, I was certain Karen would warm up to the idea of a puppy once she met the little fella.  I mean, who doesn't love a puppy.  Heck, I'd even take some vacation time to house train the pup Karen's last week of work.

I found a good breeder up in Cape May, New Jersey - only about 3 hours from where we lived.  Katie was in on the plan.  No 5-year old ever kept a secret better than Katie and boy was she excited.  I told Karen I was taking Katie "fishing" for the day.  (Note to new fathers, if you lie to your wife don't involve the children.)  We had to swing by my office in DC on our way out because my coworkers had held a puppy shower for me and all the new dog stuff was in the office.  Katie thought this was a great adventure.

Where was Maddie you might ask.  Maddie was at daycare oblivious to my evil plans and trying to ingest small toys.  This would also play a part in my inevitable downfall.

Katie and I arrive at Quail Hollow Kennels and it is time to pick a puppy.  Steve Del Rossi brings out the litter I was interested in and Katie and I pick out a nice puppy.  He is a cute little orange and white Brittany.  We name him Burdock.  We are pretty certain Karen will be surprised and delighted.  She was certainly surprised.

Burdock's arrival.  Katie is happy, Bentley is not impressed

When we arrived home at the townhouse all the neighbors came out to see the new puppy.  I am sure all the neighborhood wives were wishing they had such a spontaneous and thoughtful husband.  Boy, wasn't Karen the lucky woman?!

Katie and I bring Burdock in the house to get him used to his surroundings so he will feel comfortable peeing all over the floor.  The phone rings and it is Karen.  Everything was going great until I answered the phone.  I'm talking with Karen and Burdock decides that he should say hello, so he starts to bark...just a little.  All of a sudden my sweet bride is silent.  "That better not be a puppy," she says.  "What?  That noise, I'm not sure what that is," I lie (again).  "Huh," I think.  "She doesn't seem to be too pleased with this yet."

Now the neighbors know that this puppy is a surprise to Karen, so they decide to wait outside for Karen to come home from work to see her reaction to my thoughtfulness.  Karen arrives, looks at the puppy, looks at me, drops off her work bag and leaves the house.  Katie picked up on Karen's mood right away.  She was a very perceptive child.  "Daddy, Mommy didn't seem happy to see the puppy."  I fed the girls dinner and waited for Karen to come back home.  She eventually did, with new shoes, the result of some shopping therapy.