Not the only predator in the forest

Sitting under the tree watching the bucks play is a great way to pass the morning. I wasn't hunting deer, but rather hogs. They had been tearing up the place. Literally. A hog wallow under the deer feeder, a spot 30 feet across near the road. Pasture land that is needed to sustain cattle looks like someone went after it with a tiller.

This particular hunt I didn't see any hogs, but I had settled into a nice spot and didn't feel like heading back to the house yet. The sun was warm, cutting the chill from early morning. I had setup downwind of the feeder, and watched with no small interest as first the does and then several bucks headed from their bedding area out to a corn feeder. As they approached a particular area, they would also flash the white tail and get skittish. Circling almost all the way around to my side. Nearly getting my scent, but at the last second heading back towards the feeder. A bachelor group of bucks comes crashing through the woods from the East without a care in the world. Making enough noise to spook the button buck and doe eating on the far south side of the feeder.

Oblivious to my presence, they head up to the feeder. One particular clump of brush has their attention. The Alpha in the group refuses to give ground. A stomp then a loud chuff show his displeasure. Several more steps then another chuff. Finally, a lanky bobcat struts from the brush. He isn't in a hurry, and like me, he isn't after venison. He trots off to the East, like only a cat can do. No rabbits or coons today, but he has other spots to hunt.

It's good to remember, that you aren't the only predator at the feeder.

Huh, What?!?

Been away awhile. No good excuses, or fantastic stories of Smelly Pirate Hookers, just didn't feel like writing. It happens. As should be expected, life continues to roll. This one is a story of caution.

At the ripe old age of 34, I was told I am a candidate for hearing aids. Joy! Well, not really joy, but there is good news (at the end of the post). Apparently years of Shooting, Rock & Roll, and a bit o' time working in loud plants can hurt your hearing. Especially if you don't wear hearing protection. Like most kids/teenagers, I was convinced I was bullet proof. As I grew older, I saw the error of my ways. More specifically I heard the error of my ways in the form of Tinnitus.

People hear Tinnitus differently, mine is an always present high pitched ring that sounds like feedback from a microphone, while others associate it with crickets, or even a low hum. There isn't a cure for it. It's always present. Most times I can tune it out, but night is the worst. I have to sleep with a fan or some other white noise to drown out the ring. In reality it sounds worse then it really is (no pun intended).

Now, the good news. I'm not a lost cause. I don't need the hearing aids just yet. As I age, and my hearing goes into the expected decline I most likely will need them all the time, but the loss I currently suffer mainly impacts speech with background noise. I can recognize that something has been said, but the words don't register (women's voices particularly - because of the frequency). One on one it doesn't have much impact, but in an area with background noise, I will probably have to request something be repeated, especially if I'm not looking at you.

So, what can you do to protect your hearing? Easy! wear hearing protection! When I shoot indoors I wear both plugs and muffs. I picked up a cool set of Peltor hearing muffs, that allow you to hear regularly, but cut out at higher decibel levels. If I go to a concert (rare, but it does happen on occasion), I picked up a set of in ear plugs. They are almost invisible, and allow you to hear regular conversation but block harmful noise. Next on my list is to replace the custom plugs I lost (should be $60 or so at the gun show). $60 custom molded plugs, and $100 Peltors are cheap when you consider the hearing aids I'm looking at run about $3000 an ear.

West bound windshield time.

Back from Midland, TX. Once again, I made a small section of the world safe from the wicked mourning dove. Not as many as I would have prefered, but I was doing a little teaching also.

A buddy of mine wanted to learn to dove hunt, and while he had been one other time, the guy he went with was a relative newcomer also. We got into the field later then I would have liked, but only because I brought along some other toys that go boom to play with. I wanted to field test a couple new (or new to me) shotguns & ARs, and he had fun blasting away at cheap generic sodas (which make a great target).

A couple doves and one beautiful sunset later, and we packed it in. Next time, I think we should hit the skeet range first, as I think he was taking shots that were too far, but we can fix that. One thing I always forget, is that even though the land is flat and dry, I do love it out there. Heck, I have been keeping my eye out for some land. Unfortunately, anything for sale is still way out of my range, or is too far away.