"Rule of Gun"

Here is the proof that I'm not losing my mind thinking that a fox or a few are out to steal my birds... Its rather interesting that his tracks are everywhere I find bear tracks... so one is following the other, which is leading is still unknown. I speculate that I am watching the birds, the fox is watching me watch the birds and the bear is watching the fox to find me....
Just a theory.

The Grouse are easier to spot with snow on the ground, and easier to track, since they prefer running on foot rather than flying. A good day out the other morning and afternoon, four birds in hand thanks to snow and patience. I am creeping along more slowly and more quiet than before, which is contrary to the idea of making as much noise as possible to keep the bears aware of your location....so you don't sneak up on them. Either way, I have my bird gun and my bear gun. I have established an idea that it is a good idea to carry a weapon larger than the tracks of what is out there.... "rule of gun" ,not "rule of thumb".

So learning what I did this summer about tracking, I was able to successfully determine the size, and approximate speed the bear was moving, direction and what he was doing.... At first bolt, he was moving pretty fast with about a 12 foot gap every time his right front hit the dirt and quickly slowed to a humble walk within 100 yards of initial contact. He stopped and turned to the right as if to glance back and then continued walking into the woods.... all in all, about 197 yards I was able to track him and figured that the weight might be around 550 pounds give or take some. On the flip side of things, there are at least two and possibly three bears that are roaming around the lodge buildings...  I found sow and cub tracks that lead  into the woods but investigating further meant I would have to get "hatchet Jack" images out of my head that someone would find me froze to a tree grasping my gun and a note that read something about "I killed the bear that killed me". I left them alone.

Cooking has been enjoyable and challenging in such a confined space and being extremely limited with ingredients.... sort of. So these are Baked Apple Turnovers and this batch made about a dozen. After sampling a few, I put the rest in the freezer to store for Christmas morning or any other occasion I feel warrants some pastries. It was nothing more than a simple apple pie recipe, just cut into different shapes and baked on a cookie sheet. I may try cookies next, but the best cookies seem to be when someone else makes them and you just sit down and eat ...

For dinner I have been digging around in my freezer, examining the inventory for new idea's and for the sake of not eating salmon every day. I've had it a few times so far, each time is amazing but even that tends to wear on your taste buds a bit. So for this meal it was Blackened sauteed Sea Scallops with an Onion Couscous and a little flare for the pictures.

Time out here has been slow. It seems longer because there is not much to accomplish and yet it seems like just the other day I was in civilization because again, I haven't done very much. Hard to explain, but either way a few weeks have gone by and the month of October is slowly becoming the past. I'm looking forward to November being over. I'm told that it is the worst month to be here, due to the rain and transition to snow. However it has to be, I'll watch a few more movies, read a few more things, eat, sleep and of course have my routine workouts. I am still waiting to see some moose. They too have been more a night creature around here, leaving tracks and offering no sightings. Perhaps soon.

To everyone who has referred my experience to the Shining with Jack Nicholson, I felt a "shining" moment yesterday as I was taking a look through of our main cabin.... curtains shut and dark rooms, hallways with no end in sight, mirrors and creaking floors, I found myself looking over my shoulder a few times and often checking my pistols for their readiness. It was slightly odd but okay.

The moon has been getting full and more visible between the storms... and last night was a good night to see it, before the rain started again.  Another day done, and laundry today, should be fun. I miss washing machines.