The Show

One thing I really like about hunting in general, besides the hunt itself is what I call "the rest of the show". I always see something real interesting while hunting. Whether it is a new plant I never saw before or animal behavior. It is always so cool. Those new discoveries make for real great memories.

Sunday I had one of those firsts. While in my stand in the morning I heard the approach of a lot of chickadees. Not unusual. The I heard a bang and looked down at the bottom of my tree and saw what I thought was a white squirrel. That is until it stopped and looked up at me. Then the chickadees were all around, swarming and carrying on so!

The white animal was an ermine, a weasle in it's winter pelage. It was so intent on what I was in the tree that it forgot about the chickadee tormentors all around. Those little birds were very upset and trying to drive the ermine away. Anyway, the little bugger loped around for a bit scoping ME out and decided it had enough of the birds hasseling it. It then vanished in its floating gait through the swamp taking the chickadees with it.

Better than going to the movies.

Made my day.

------------------
Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

[trout]

Redtoads thats a cool story. I have seen two weasels in the daylight while hunting. Sometimes seeing a non hunted specie can be as rewarding as seeind a big ol deer.

[Ladykiller]

Yeah, I had a good wknd like that too. I was fortunate enough to see a black squirrel with the last two inches of his tail all white. I have only seen this once before about 3 years ago in another area, and I have never seen another piebald one, but I have seen an albino. I think these squirrels look really neat, like a skunk, or a matchstick in a way.

[Neapolis]

Redtoads - Nice story. :cool:
Thanks for sharing it.


------------------
Neapolis
---------

[born2hunt65]

Nice story. Firsts are always kool and memories to cheerish,born

[Hope]

On my first hunting trip, I had a porkypine try to attack me! LOL! That was a show! :D

------------------
The most wild, crazy, shootin' gal in Mid-Michigan! :)

[ag2053]

Redtoads

That's another reason I hunt. Always an oportunity to learn and be awed. Can;'t wait to get out there again. These sidewalks are killing me!!!!

[Huntress]

Redtoads,
Thanks for sharing the wonderful story. I have always loved being in the woods and seeing the different animals. Now that I have taken up hunting, hopefully I will see and experience more than ever.

Best Regards,
Huntress

[StrutnSpur]

Great post, Thats what is all about. Please read the qoute from Teddy Roosevelt below, it says it all.

------------------
"the finding and killing of the game is after all but part of the whole. The free,self-reliant,adventurous life,with its rugged and stalwart democracy;the wild surroundings,the grand beauty of the scenery,the chance to study the ways and habits of the woodland creatures-all these unite to give to...the hunter...peculiar charm.The chase is among the best of all national pastimes;it culivates that vigorous manliness for the lack of which in a nation,as in an individual,the possession of no other qualities can possibly atone."...Theodore Roosevelt