Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    The "chattering" may or may not spook large game, but it *certainly*
    spooks me!
    
    I have found that after I have settled in at my stand, if I keep
    still, don't cough or make any other sounds, and generally try to
    "blend" into the environment, the "chattering" will stop.  Eventually
    the squirrels and other varmints will go on to their own business.
    
    Chances are any large game in the general vicinity will be alarmed
    by the sudden noise of you approaching your stand, so any chattering
    at that point will be negated by the noise you make yourself. 
    
    Last year I was sitting at the top of an oak ridge overlooking an
    active run when I noticed some squirrels feeding on some acorns.

    Out of nowhere a red-tail hawk dive bombs upon the squirrels and
    snatches up an unsuspecting tree-rat right before my eyes!  I'm
    sure this happens many times a day in these woods, but to be able
    to witness this was both horrifying and amazing.  My point here
    is that by keeping motionless, somewhat concealed, and by diminishing
    your human odor, you will not only be fairly invisible to deer and
    other animals, but you may be in for a show like the one I witnessed
    last season.
    
    Mark.

    The last story reminds me of a time I was on a stand in Maine.  I
    had been sittin for about an hour when I noticed some movement on
    the trail up ahead.  A fox was half walking half running down
    the path.  Every ten steps or so, he would stop an turn around.
     He passed within 15 feet of me and never indicated that he knew
    I was there.  About 5 minutes later a kid came along.  He saw me
    and asked if I had seen the fox.  I lied and said no, even though
    with the snow on the ground it was apparent that it had passed right
    in front of me.  I never did hear a shot, so I assume that the fox
    won that battle.  I though it was kind of neat that the fox would
    stop, look, and listen every so often to try and determine if the
    kid was still on his trail.  I was definitely cheering for the fox.
    Jeff

    Since we are on the topic of wilderness wildlife sights... Perhaps
    a good NOTE topic in itself....
    
    I also was in Maine a few years ago, on a stand for about an hour,
    overlooking a small pond. A pair of otters, (I think that's what
    they were) appeared and were having a grand old time. They started
    chasing each other, climbing up a log which petruded abot 3 feet
    out of the swamp, jumping off, swimming and climbing the log again.
    It was very similar to what you might see at your local zoo, only
    this was in the wild, a sight which not everyone has an opportunity
    to see.
    
    I think these are the reasons why I hunt dear, not only for the
    chance at a trophy, but seeing some of nature's sight's.
    
     anyone else see anything special?
    
     Smitty

    One of my most interesting moments afield was many years ago in
    Mississippi.  We were floating a river jump shooting ducks.  Suddenly
    we heard something racing through the woods.  We turned and saw
    a rabbit bound off a 5 foot bank into the river.  Looking back up
    the bank, we saw a huge bobcat standing on the edge.  That rabbit
    just made it to that bank by a few inches.  
    
    The rabbit swam right by our boat.  We figured he had been through
    enough for one day and let him swim on by.
    
    Mark,
    

    Remember a few years ago when old Jimmy Carter was attacked by a
    swimming rabbit. The new paper picture showed him trying to beat
    it with his paddle. Our fearless leader.

    I'd like to hear his side of that story.
    
    re: .0
    
    I've already told you about those squirrels. To bad they aren't
    worth it to pop, with a 30-06 :-)
    
    We where hunting a ridge a few years back and just sat down to wait
    it out. The local squirrels would start up and every time we looked
    there where deer coming through just below the ridge line.
    
    So they yell at us the same as game animals. I would believe that
    deer or elk would spend a few seconds looking around to see what's
    up when they start up. The deer we spotted paid no attention at
    all, just kept moving on.

    Mark, 

    
      I had a bobcat walk right by me about 25' away. Never saw me sitting
    still on that ridge...
    
      Two years ago I was hunting deer in northern NH. I was coming
    up on some black growth, and just before I got there I heard a tre-
    mendous commotion from the red squirrels. They were chattering and
    carrying on like I've never heard before. I decided to sneak over
    and see what was causing the ruckus. Just before I went over a lit-
    tle hill where the noise was coming from a deer poked her head up
    and looked straight at me. She and probably one or two others had
    caused the squirrels to go nuts...
    
    
      My freezer was full that winter....
    
    
    joe

    I believe that squirrels are very territorial and will put up a
    fuss over anything invading their space.  You can pretty much track
    another hunter (or deer?) as he passes through the woods by listening
    to the chatter.  The way I look at it if a squirrel is chattering
    at me when I take a stand then I am moving around too much.  By
    remaining motionless for a couple of minutes they usually forget
    why they are chattering and leave well enough alone.  However,
    sometimes they will not quit....... 'cause your sitting too close
    to a food cache.
    
    .... defiant little buggers make an awfully tempting target ......