Observer-Reporter forum

Brant · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:07 pm Post subject:

SSSS, the humpback bridge remains in all its glory. Thank goodness, now that the red barn is gone. As for the turkeys, my only guess is that we've cleared so much land that there are now a lot more open areas where the turkeys are more visible. This past summer, I was driving home from town and came up over the last rise before my house when I saw these tiny figures scampering across the road. As I slammed on the brakes and got a closer look, I saw that it was a bunch of very young turkeys following their mama across the road. That was pretty cool. What I remember from my youth was how few red-tailed hawks there were then, as compared to now. DDT damn near wiped them out in the '60s. Now they're everywhere.
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busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

SSSS · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

20 years ago if you hunted around here and heard a turkey you toldeveryone about it. To actually hunt them you had to go north of I-80. They have slowly migrated south to the point where they are like pigeons around here and becoming scarce in the mountains.
I also blame them for the near total lack of grouse around here now. They just cannot compete with the turkeys for food. A grouse could live off a square acre for six months. A flock of turkeys walks thru and there is no food left!
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SSSS · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

I am glad to hear the bridge is still there-I was thinking they took it out. Did they get the steel bridge further down done yet? By Narrigon Run Road?
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busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

Brant · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

Grouse are very scarce these days. As for that steel bridge, I'm not sure. I remember having to detour around it this summer, but I haven't tried to go out that far since then.
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The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

I was hunting a couple of years ago and saw my first grouse ever (and the last)... it must have been sitting in this little tree about 15 feet from me for over an hour before exploding out of the branches at a random moment and scaring the crap out of me...
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

Probably ten years ago now, I was walking my dog behind Twist softball fields. I jumped over this tree that had fallen down, and literally three feet away from me this huge grouse flew up and brushed my leg. It took me a while to gather myself and realize what had just happened.
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Brant · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

I had that sort of experience with a coyote. If it had been wearing pants, both of us would have needed to clean our drawers. Wink

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The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

SSSS · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

A grouse will certainly scare you but nothing compares to walking thru the woods in the dark and having a flock of turkeys come busting out of their roosting trees! I thought the hounds of hell were coming after me!
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

Holy crap! I've seen a few fox here and there, but I've never actually seen a coyote in the woods. Which is a good thing.
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Its okay to eat fish because they don't have any feelings.

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Brant · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:

I had the turkey experience one early morning while deer hunting. You're right. It'll sure make you jump. And my one dog thinks he can catch them.
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The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

The sound of a turkey trying to fly away is enough to scare the crap out of you... let alone a flock of them. I didn't know a bird could make so much noise.
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Its okay to eat fish because they don't have any feelings.

Puff. Puff. Give.

SSSS · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:07 pm Post subject:

yeah they are loud. brandt-if your dog gets to where he can actually catch them, I want to take him to Wheeling racetrack and make some big money!
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