Lesson Learned Options

[Dusty Moonrise]

As an avid squirrel hunter (sorry, PETA!) I had the brilliant idea of training my Jack Russell to tree squirrels. This is not as far fetched as it sounds, as JR's are born hunters. I tied a squirrel tail to a string, and pulled it across the yard, where I pulled it up into a tree. Fancy was all for it, jumping and trying to climb the tree.

Now, the first day in the woods. Fancy ran, nose to the ground, so I thought "success!". Yes, until she discovered some small animal's burrow! It was then that her heritage came into play. Jack Russell Terriers were bred to go after foxes in their dens! JR's are VERY single-minded when it comes to digging in holes! I repeat, VERY SINGLE-MINDED! After several hours of unsuccessful hunting, I pulled a very resistant Fancy out of the now extremely excavated burrow, and literally had to carry her back to the house. Right back out the pet door she went, straight into the woods, directly back to her diggings! Have I mentioned that Jack Russells, despite their small size, can move at a rate that far exceeds that of a 46 yr. old Redneck? I finally had to close her up long enough for her attention to be distracted by her chew toys.

Thank heavens that fox hunting is not popular in Mississippi!

Attached image(s)

 

[Dusty Moonrise]

Sorry I haven't replied in a while, Madi. We may have more types of predators in Mississippi, but thank heavens no man-eaters that I am aware of, although the bobcat that let loose with a god-awful scream behind my deer stand last week certainly did its fair share to deprive me of a couple of years of my life! I was sitting very still, as one must do while hunting, when I heard "YOOOOWWWAAAWWWWLLL!" from somewhere just behind me! After the first split second of paralysis, during which every hair that I have on the back of my neck stood up, I whirled around just in time to see a full-grown bobcat streak away. I later found its burrow very close to that spot. I hope that I spooked it as bad as it did me, and that it will find another vicinity to live in, as my stand is very close to my house. Bobcats will kill housecats and small dogs, and as fierce as Fancy is, she would certainly not be a match for said bobcat! I would hate to have to shoot the lynx, because I do not believe in shooting any animal that I do not intend to eat, with the exception of any animal that may be a danger to my family or pets! I do not have any kind of furred, finned, or feathered trophy mounted anywhere in my home!

Good to hear from you too, Madi. I thoroughly enjoy hearing from far away places, and hope one day to be able to travel "down under"!

Andy