Feeling the Pain

Denny, at Backwoods Drifter ,is sharing with us some intense emotion about the destruction of local flora and fauna with the practice of mountaintop removal for the purpose of coal mining. Now,it is reaching his own backyard, so to speak. It is definitely a hard thing to pass through when EVERY thing familiar is going to be rearranged,scarred, and have no rhyme or reason for years to come, maybe never. Trees,animals,rivers,buildings, and people all take a beating in situations where the practice of dynamiting away huge rock surfaces becomes the norm to reach an end result. Human nature has a way of ignoring the situation when it doesn't want to face the facts. Either on the side of the commercial entity - turning a blind eye to the people's lives that are irrevocably damaged, or the residents of the affected areas that shove it under the rug in the backs of their minds - telling themselves it "won't happen to us." My hope is that big business can start being up-front with the populations in the areas where they plan their next excavation. Or is that EXplosion ? In closing, there are many issues that can lead us to become proactive about the spaces that we live in. I hope that somewhere along the mountain road each group involved can find a solution that will satisfy the needs of both...

Antler on a Tree

Antler on a Tree you say... Now what in the world could that possibly mean?!? Had some fun exploring recently. Took a climb up a huge staircase, behind a mountain, in the back middle of the interior of a store we see spoken of quite frequently on this blogspot. These antlers have long since parted company with the original owners. Imagine they may have been procured from antler auctions like those that took place at Dubuque,IA., at the 7th Annual Whitetail Classic Sport Show & Antler Auction ,this month. Only seeing these creations online or in catalogs didn't have the same effect as getting up close. My imagination went back to the beginning when the antler was still attached to the Whitetail "Big Buck", or in the case of Moose or Elk "Big Bull", sporting it high above his head. Were there some reindeer antler in there too? For some reason my mind wanders to the question"how many dogs would be using an antler table lamp for a chew toy given the opportunity?" Looks like something I wouldn't mind including in a cabin setting - to dream of the future... Do you own antler art, other than the trophy bucks hanging on the wall?

Writings by Linda K. Burch

Last week I met a very vivacious huntress by the name of Linda K. Burch. She began her hunting passion when she was 37 years old, that was 18 years ago. Linda comes across as a positive go getter. Since our introduction I have been reading her writings to gain a more complete picture of who she is and where her articles are published. She has started her own safety supply company with items you might be familiar with - "Firetacks" products for marking trails. A women that lives and breathes hunting, Linda has done some writing for Bowhunting.net. Her range runs from instructional to humorous.

Once again we are reaching a time of year where outside activities are increasing. If you have a minute to bookmark Linda's writings, I believe you will find entertainment, and tips to checkout after those tiring trips to the timber. She is a Christian woman with a positive voice for the proliferation of the art of ethical hunting in the world of women today...

Should We Eat the Fish?

The advisories are beginning to surface here in Iowa about the consumption of fish caught in parts of our rivers and lakes. Largemouth Bass have been found to carry high levels of mercury in their tissue on examination by the tests conducted for the Iowa DNR, click here for more specific information. Predator fish species are being included with some sports fish categories. The Iowa DNR,in association with the Iowa Department of Public Health, have developed a site that will inform the fishermen and women. Letting them know what fish are being effected and what locations to watch for the fish concerned with the consumption limitations can be found. It probably isn't a problem exclusive to Iowa. Checking with your local authorities may point out some fish you should consider eating limited quantities of. That is not to say you should curtail your fishing activities;the terms "Catch and Release" come to mind. The weather is changing and Spring is on the way...Get out there and have a great time!