Here's a photo of one of two mammoth moose who graced our views the other day not far from where we live. We had seen two others just a few weeks before that on our trip down the river. They seem to be out and about just like all of us.
The little valley that we live in is all hustle and bustle. Children returned to the little country school house, though mine will not resume home school until my mom and dad return home. For now, my kids are enjoying their last week and a half of freedom with their grandparents.
People are also storing and harvesting like crazy, probably just like you. Gardens are bursting with vegetables and many have begun to harvest the readily available wild grouse. Just yesterday, my husband and kids brought in 7 of them. I split them open, dipped them in a seasoned egg mixture, and rolled them in flour and cracker crumbs before frying them. Fueled by the delicious meal, the boys were gung ho to head out and hunt for more.
Even the food shelf seems to be bursting with harvest. They had an opportunity to get an unlimited amount of corn and apples if they could pay for the shipping. The people who use the food shelf didn't have the resources to do that, so they appealed to the community making orders available for $5 per crate as an attempt to offset the shipping cost. It was a great cause and an affordable way for everybody to have a surplus of the bounty. Our household will be very busy after tomorrows shipment comes in.
Shaggy mane mushrooms are beginning to make an appearance, another harvest in themselves. Bow season for elk and deer is just days away. Even wood cutting seems to be causing a craze. Because the forest service has shut down so many roads, people are highly competitive for wood. Everybody seems to have a "secret spot" and some locals seem to be going to crazy antics to get their winter supply in.
My biggest concern seems to be finding space in my bulging freezer.
13 comments:
hi. so cool that you got to see all those moose. I have seen very few this year. Did I tell you that I am going deer hunting this fall? Big bro promises that we only have to go out in the afternoon, not at 5:00 am like he usually goes. I can hardly wait. Do you have any advice for me? -Sal
Yes, it is my favorite time of the year even though it means lots of "work". Best advice for Sal is dress warm enough so you can sit quietly and comfortably. Make sure you are where deer frequent of course. Make sure you are familiar with the workings of your firearm and you can shoot it safely and competently. Most of all, ask for the Lords wisdom. Oh, and I'm proud of you!
The moose are very cool, I've heard that they are sort of dangerous, is that true? How cool is it to live off the land! You must feel like royalty this time of year! Of course you are a princess of the King of Kings!
Love that pic! And I also have storage issues!!
thanks toytrkman! i am thinking maybe five layers would be good? I am letting big bro decide where to hunt (he's done this twice before). and about the gun...i am actually a pretty good shot! yes i surprised everybody. even big bro (he didn't know i was listening) said that I am pretty acurate. i am going to do my best to get a nice deer, but if it gets close to the end of the season and there is a deer i don't think i can hit i can always let big bro get it. I believe that is called party hunting. I appreciate your support in my decision to start hunting. I have been told I am "too nice to go around blasting deer" and by a pastor no less! lol.
Wow, how cool is that?? I think it would scare me tremendously! Enjoy getting prepared and organized!
i'm so proud of you too, Sal! You go girl ;-) Some tips about your clothing : make sure you can comfortably bend your arms and position the rifle with all those layers. Also don't wear "noisy" clothing (plasticy rub sounds) that will warn deer of your presence. Take a deep breath as you line up the shot, then slowly exhale, then shoot (not breathing). Make sure you are aiming at the lung. Getting a good lung shot will prevent your spending hours in the woods tracking it (which sucks for you and the deer). Most good shots I have made drop the deer within feet, not miles. Make that your goal. Don't try for a head shot or a "facing you" shot because you are less likely to deliver a lethal blow. Don't shoot unless you are confident you have a good shot. Use good safety technique. Practice shooting the gun you are going to use the week before hunting season so you have a reasonble level of comfort. Gosh I could write a book with all this!! You go girl!
i hadn't thought about the being able to move part. i was just hoping to be warm enough. I will probably have to put on everything i plan to wear and see if i can actually move. plasticy stuff...got none of that. a lady from church is going to give me some orange stuff since i don't have any so i will watch for the plastic type stuff. I went target practicing a couple weeks ago and grandpa said i could go again soon. hopefully at least two more times before the season starts. i am starting to feel like the 30-30 is an old friend. i love the sound when it goes off! thanks outdoor.mom you have given me a lot to think about!
Lol, Sal! One more tip!
Whatever u do, don't poke a hole in the stomach or intestines when ur gutting it out(I learned that the hard way lol!!!)!!!
what a lovley home you live in.
It is such a good feeling ot have a full pantry, sound slike you have some yummy stuff stored up for the winter, I may sneak over for a snack sometime:-) we are gathering up our firewood too.The farmers almanac is calling for a bittery cold winter this year so we are making sure we are prepared:-)
gutting it? oh please don't say anything about that. I think my big bro is going to do that part. I mean the thought of digging into an animals' insides is not appetizing. I am doing this for the meat because most of my family likes it and in the long run it saves my parents money. Oh and I want to prove to myself that I CAN do this! But I may draw the line at shooting it. I really don't want to gut it out!
I've lived up here now going on 3 years and have not seen a wild Moose yet! I feel cheated! LOL I still have to go to the zoo to see them! Although I have been told that I should see them to/from work...but haven't yet! I'll keep my eyes open for them (as I don't want to hit one with my van)
My husband was just in Montana a couple weeks ago camping and fishing near Missoula with his best friend. He LOVES it and is returning for a solo trip in Oct. He finds his peace there. I've been once and now from reading your blog, I can see how it's easy to fall in love with such beauty and adventure.
Maybe we'll cross paths some day. And shake a Moose's hand.
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