DATE: 01/10/2008 08:40:20 / MOOD: Neutral

tonite iam up late as normal .I had gone back to reread all my journal entery's.It wasnt till i opened them up did i find comments that i never answered  too .Iam sorry that I never answered .With not reopening my journal entery's. I dont know who has wrote to me .I want to thank every one for so much interest in my stories all of my life .all the laughs ,tears and misses ,hits and maybe a couple tall tales for laughs .Stories of freinds .some still with me and kept close .stories of freinds that have pasted before me waiting for me aound some camp fire .Many stories of family,happy or sad .

As ive said in many stories .These stories do hold true! Hold your family closer .frends just as close .Watch your back side if needed. Most of all --I do notice that time does fly faster than any arrow ive ever shot

Any one reading these stories please write me if theres any information you need about hunting in alaska. Ask questions.I may not have all the answers --but who does ?  

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DATE: 01/07/2008 19:08:52 / MOOD: Neutral

Well i know that winter blues have set in and its only january .Winter here can be a slow time trying to find things to do .Snowmobling is good for a break .trapping can be great way to get outside to be in touch with the world .

For christmas i recieved two more trail cameras .It was bad enough they just set on my desk waiting for winter to break up.i cant wait to  be able to set the cameras again .

So out of boredom i set cameras up in the house {dont do this at home --can cause bodily harm --if caught }I put two in living room to see what movies my boys were watching at the time and how many times they raided the kitchen .very good information on the eating ,tv viewing and fighting betwen to brothers .

I set one camera up in kitchen .My dogs would come to food dish /water bowl .my cats could be seen catching mice .very good information about my pets to see they were eating right .plus to see if cats were worth their keep

Now this is where i got in trouble --set two cameras comeing and going in hall way to bed rooms and bath room .This let me know if boys were raiding kitchen late at nite --like i do !What i didnt want to know is the bathing times of my wife .Little did i know that while my boys are sleep and iam in my den reading .My wife takes a shower and walks out of bathroom to bed room ---NUDE! Of course she looks both ways up and down hall way.I can only tell every one here that if yopu get caught as i did --the dog house isnt big enought or warm enough for winter usage.

So bottom line is dont set up trail cameras in house without telling your wife. Oh yes ! If you do get bored with lack of winter things to do.find a good book ,built a model airplane go to aa meeting BUT!---Dont take pictures of your wife in the --L natural state --It may take me a week to recover from the yelling /bump on my head --my bad !    

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DATE: 01/01/2008 03:29:39 / MOOD: Excited

Happy new year to all the gang at deer 101 .it has been a great year .Lots of new freinds .From my family to you ..Enjoy this year with all the blessing we can recieve from each other

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DATE: 12/22/2007 05:23:32 / MOOD: Neutral

This story starts long ago. Christmas 1951 .As you read this you can see the truth of my story in the words .For they are there under all the wrapping papers,wrapping bows and empty boxes. we see each Christmas morning under the tree .

1951 my {before i married his daughter }  late father-n-law ,Melvin was given a lantern .More as a camping tool.Each of his children would be with my late mother-n-law, Anita at tongass Narrows Hardware Store Ketchican,Alaska to order it .Each of the seven childlren  was making sure that it would arrive in time for this special day Christmas ! The third youngest daughter  of the children was my wife for 25 years.

The lantern was used and reused on many hunting trips .It shows its wear , tear ,chips and scatches The red paint is faded the green paint has see many a long nite of staying lite all nite . Dressing out a deer or used as a beacon in the nite for late hunters

This lantern came to me in the fall of 1970 as a gift .It had been in the family many years .Just sitting in a shelf in a back room the dust was as thick as the memories it held deep in its mantle. 

I kept this lantern in its box always remembering my father-n-law ,melvin.The same way ill always remember him in kindness,love and spirit

It wasnt till 1980 i was given my homestead and used this lantern many late nite walking to the road in the dark .late nite weekends building my families new home .

If this lantern could speak it would tell of useage, broken mantels ,globes and faulty generators .This lantern lite up our new 2 bedroom cabin for many tasks .early morning breakfast .late nite coffee around the wood stove .Used to light up area at nite to chop wood . I used it one winter to help dress out a moose i pooched to feed my family in the lean times of winter .Used the same  lantern to guide in the game warden to our home for dinner of fresh moose {He knew very well what hard times were for us}. He even brought the vegtables  and potatos. A very large pot of coffee around a wood stove burning warmly.The storys that were told . His parting words were in the effect of "please dont do that again "! 

I shed a tear now to tell of the times i used this lantern to deliever 3 of my 9 children,7 are still alive  .Home birth was common for people that lived out of town .The little tiny lantern lite up the cabin so brightly the neighbors used it  as a guiding light to our cabin to see the new child . Used in many moose and caribou camps each season with freinds that have long since gone .Truly remembered also . 

This year i was at my cabin After seeing this lantern hanging in the back room it was  dirty,misused ,soiled and broken globe .I brought it back home to keep in safety .

AS i sit cleaning and replaceing parts i thought of a friend that collects these lanterns .I thought he would enjoy this for his gift for christmas.

Now you set there and read this story you wonder why i would keep this lantern for so many years .It having a large history.

We look at the real meaning of Christmas . We are not judged by how many people we love --Only by how many people love us .Christmas is a time of giveing .Give your best and love to your families Merry Christmas to all and Happy new year

  

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DATE: 12/06/2007 02:53:13 / MOOD: Neutral

Winter is here in alaska ,what snow we had for Thanks giving has melted and winds from south {chinook winds } warm winds have melted all our snow around the house here in wasilla  .In the mountains/higher elevations the snow is getting deeper.

Iam getting all my snowmobliles ready for useage .With all this warm weather i can work out side . Do hope for more snow after x-mas .

Hunting season has come to end here tags are turned in to fish and game for reports of game useage in areas .This year again fish and game has opened up areas for cow moose harvest Ill apply for one of these permits and go out these next few weekends before x-mas .

My bows are ready and new arrows .Ive been practicing around my yard . I have 6 targets around yard at diffrent yardages ,angles and difficultly .I can open up my shop for indoor shooting range of 20 yds when weather is to bad outside .I do shoot in bad weather just to keep my shooting skills kean .Wearing heavy cloths for cold weather effect your shooting in more ways than you may think .So it is good to practice in all diffrent shooting posititions as possible .

As some of you all know ive had heath issues over the last 2 years . Now iam feeling better .I found that my teeth were an issue .so ---I had them all pulled out now i sing a new song --"All i want for x-mas is my 2 front teeth" ---If it is polite to say this here on deer 101 --Merry x-mas to all .Happy new years. May all your wishes come true   

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DATE: 11/18/2007 16:22:58 / MOOD: Neutral

Winter time sets the stage for arm chair guides ,hunters ,pilots and good story tellers .Sit back and relax .

A number of years ago the state of alaska pulled money out of its a---ss and let Forest service repair trails and build more .long over due . 

Where you have people--- you have bears ! no way around it ! As much as people try to clean up after them selves there are a few bad apples . A few dumb sh---ts to keep news papers in print .This story takes place in seward alaska 1985 I was working with my cousin as carpet and flooring service .After work at nite we would walk the forsest service trails looking for bears .Bears will travel path of least resisdince

Week before there was cook at one of the remote forrest service  camps attacked by black bear .lady was ok ! had to change pants --she would wipe her hands off on her pants while cooking..Ha ha --got you ! you thought the bear scared her so bad she had to change her pants --lol

As normal the bear was found and shot for the bad habits of man !

As weeks worked into months the bears were getting braver and forrest service put up sign at trail head --sign in here before useing this trail ! "leave your name .address and phone number of next to kin!" bottom line--- too many bears had heard the dinner bells of all the camps in area .

 

One week end we rode horses into are about 15 miles to helocopoter pad .this would be good area to stake out horses and be able to watch them while hunting the landing pad was about 300yds round .nice grass ,flat land .

In order to cut down on bears and garbage they would tag bad bears and move them and haul out trash --good idea ! We would camp here for three days to hunt bears .

We rode into camp beautiful fall day .I stepped out of saddle to walk into area to see eye level lay of land . Watch out ! Was yell behind me .I drew rifle from saddle scabber .all in one quick movement .I carry a 348 model 71 winchester .First bear was comeing in fast shot 3 times shooting a moveing target is hard in bushy areas .I just turned the horses lose !I was on one knee with bear 30 yds dead .My cousin -was loaded and ready another bear busted out of bushes to run other way .one shot from  Bobs 06 this bear was down .

Still jumpy from shooting trying to calm horses .all Hell cut lose .One bear was in 55 gal drum looking at us ,2 others were in garbage pit about 20yds to right moveing in for closer look at all the nosie and horses .

I shot the 1 bear in 55 gal drum Then turned to shot one of the other 2 comeing in to close Bob busted the first one it stopped dead at his feet mine bear ran off 50 yds and balled and yelled so loud  --you would think there were 5 bears dieing .

Both of us still standing hard back to back .Reloaded horses were used to shooting --but bears now that was another story!2 horses where off and running back down trail .My rider and Bobs horse were pretty good about standing and not running off .I rode off to catch the other horses before they ran all the way home .2 miles down trail i hear two more shots from Bobs rifle. I had the run away horses now and needed to be back to help Bob.

I rode back into area where we started the battle .Bob had one more bear down .As we where shooting .This one bear climbed up a tree thinking he was safe ---i rode off and bear decided to climb back down .Bob was still jumpy from shooting and 5 bears down and now 6 bears with in area of 50 yds .I would have been on edge also ---Hell --I was also !.

Not all bear hunting in alaska is this way .This was a case of people not cleaning up food or waste while working in our great state .

As we left area we wondered if we had buried the remains of theses bear deep enough? All gut piles where burned and buried so some one wouldnt walk into this area and be surprized as we were .I have taken many bears from this area over the years from bait stands .Its been 25 year since any reports of a bear mauling .So maybe after the gun fight at Martin Creek . 6 of the Bruin brothers dead .Maybe there was a new sheriff in town.

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DATE: 10/14/2007 02:29:12 / MOOD: Neutral

I think back in time of all my pets ive had in my life .My first pet was a monkey from cuba .My dad was stationed in key west florida .Bonnie was her name ,For a 2 year old this was the best pet ever .

My mother gave me pictures of my youth .I noticed that in all pictures there is a black and white dog .His name was skip .He was with me always. A guardian ,A real meaning of mans best freind.

 Ive had a half wolf named Yukon .His girlfreind was Sitka ,They had kenai in one litter. All three of these dogs were not house pets .Weighting over 150lbs. Liveing in bush was easier to keep these dogs . All these dogs are gone now .Too many good memories of each .

I have 3 pomerainians now gizmo ,jasmine and bonnie .each with personallies. that will win your hearts .Gizmo is my best buddy.We took him sheep hunting with me once under my coat .Shot a sheep while he was with me. Again when i shot a moose also .We go every where together . Under 2 lbs he fits in my pocket nicely. They still dont ask me what is under my coat when i leave wal-mart Gizmo turns into big mean dog if any one come to close .We have a singing duet .We named "The eat and bark " Gizmo love to sing .

Over the years ive had other pets. At my cabin are ermines .They act like cats . A family lived in cabin one year .Being night time animals they would rustle behind the walls all nite .I would wake up to hit the wall yelling for them to stop the noise .Next morning i would take hammer and hit floor to wake them up for my loss of sleep the night before .Standing in front of stove cooking breakfast. This family of ermines would come out and sit on carpet .Looking at me as if to say i"If you keep up the noise we are going to move out !" 

I would sit in front of wood stove reading at night .while reading i would sence theat someone or something was watching me --errie feelings ,I would look over my shouldler On stair case was the ermines .At night i would have to look under my pillows --ermines will leave you gifts !Just like cats they catch mice . 

One day a freind skied into the cabin with his dog .Being cold outside .I let dog run the house sticking his nose into every spot there was . I walked my freind down the trail .when i got back to cabin the ermine family was on floor looking at me as to say "you bring that dog in the house one more time --were moving for good !"

The ermines are still at cabin. I enjoy their company .When i have guests. t-They have hard time thinking that i have theses ermines for pets .They come out at night and walk over the bed ,Play at foot of bed .They run thru the cupboards .Acrossed the table knocking things down . 

No matter what kind of pets i have had they always find humor in every thing .May be we should take heed to this form of nature .We can learn so much from our pets .

Did i tell you i had a mother moose and twins calves for pets one spring .--Thats another story

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DATE: 10/06/2007 07:14:09 / MOOD: Neutral

As the seasons changes .I have chance to look back .No ! i didnt shoot a white dall ram this year .It would only just take up more space in my den .Instead the only white i see is. I have a few more white hairs on my head and winter snows are becomeing more bolder each year .

Moose season has come and gone leaving me with many thoughts and pictures .Many memories to share with one and all. No moose shoot by me .Not that i didnt have an honest  chance .The chance to see my son hunt with me again. To follow me through the at stalk 35 yds .Only to lay my hand on his shoulder to stop him .The look in his eyes knowing that i was right .late night ,distance from camp ,bears in area ,I knew that my son had followed my thoughts ever so careful as to read my mind --A true son .

Season's changes gives us all time to reflect on freinds ,family .

Besides hunting i fish .My love is fly fishing,My best times are teaching my fanily to fly fish .I taught my wife to fly fish .It was  easy to teach her to drive my truck ! I taught her to build a fly rod ,tie flies That was the simple part .Now to take her to remote pond some where she would have no problems with back cast  .Form her loop and forward cast .Open beaver pond ,standing on dam was good place .Plenty of open areas .{beating a bee with a broom handle } My wife picked up the cast very well .And with time she will practice to become a very good fisherperson.

I taught my wife to fish for the big king salmon .Loaned her my rod and reel .Notice i said loaned ! I build my own rods .my reels are of best you can buy . My wife caught her first king salmon 39 lbs .A very proud lady .Turning to me saying that i should give her my rod and reel ! I dont think so ! telling her --you can give a man a fish and feed him for life ! Teach him to fish and he will feed himself ... Meaning you buy your own fishing rod and reel --lesson learned . Iam not cold hearted.get it the same way i did --work for it !

My thoughts go back in time .My freind called and said his family was in town and they had great time in alaska .Even though they tried to catch a king salmon .their time was becoming short  their flight to salt lake was a red eye .Could i help them to catch at least one king ?

Off we drive to a place i love to fish for kings .A place really to many people know about this place for me taste .After casting a few lines i caught a nice king.only allowed one king per day .My day was finished ,I sit along side the river bank with a few hooks i had found tying salmon rigs .With spare line found along bank was to be found easily .After tying a few lines i would hang them in the alders behind me .People would come by to see these asking if they could buy one or two .Iam not one to upset any one by turning down a 1$ each.

My freinds son tried ever so hard to catch a king. I  could only talk to him telling him what he needed to do right . after a few hours ,No one there remembered that i had filled my tag for the day .Oh ! what would it hurt to cast a line and try to hook a nice king ?

Third cast i had a nice fish .Heavy fighter. Handing my rod and reel to him saying dont break it please !He fought this fish for almost an hour .when he did get to shore close enought i could net it .I could see that this fish was big .Not as big as the smile on a young mans face to catch the great alaskan king salmon .

I had made his day ,we drove back to town and to a scale for pictures .75# what a catch for a young man that had never seen any thing this big in his life . After pictures they loaded up for trip to the airport to finish long journey home after one week enjoying what i take for granted at times .

One week later i recived an phone call from my freind ,late night .The kind of call we all dont like to answer in fear of the worst .My freind told me The worst had happened .My freinds son had come home from work late one night. kneeled at his bed side for evening prayers and died . Sad of the the loss. Feeling for my freinds loss .I was given a picture of his son in his greatest moment holding a king salmon high above the ground. A to be in a moment of glory .The picture is a treasure to me. I keep it close .

I may be a hipocrite at times or maybe just like to think to i am ? My wife has bought her own fishing gear and has become a good fisherperson. All my children have been taught the same way .Maybe i was right to hand my friends son my rod and reel .We never know what moment . All i know i was there at the right moment ....To see the changes of the seasons.

   

  

& nbsp;

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DATE: 09/26/2007 03:49:07 / MOOD: Neutral

Today i was asked the age old question .Do bears poop in the woods ? After many years of studying bear droppings i have see them all .

One time i left dog food in back of my truck after a long trip to town .Next morning after bears eat their fill they pulled rear truck  window out of my truck for donuts i had left there ---my bad ! Their thank you for the free dog food and donuts was a large pile of bear poopin my front seat  ---Bears dont poop in the woods-- 1st study results .

One early morning at my cabin after a quick breakfast ,We left to watch for moose .We came back to cabin to find bear or bears had broken the window of cabin. Cleaning out cupboard of all goodies and sampling every thing good .what wasnt good they pee'd on .I think the adkins diet fad was in full swing at this time. after the free breakfast. It was time to see where there was a good place to sleep .up stairs they found all my down bags ripped them up in center of floor slept till they hear us comeing back {i asume }their thank you was a number of big piles in middle of the beds --2nd study of bear bowel movements in wild alaskan bear.

Walking out of mtns after long hike for dall sheep. It was to dark to get back to trail head. so i put up my tent .Next morning iam up with the sun and down to lake for well needed bath /skinny dipp {after 4 days hikeing after sheep you can be real ripe } when finished i walked back to tent for fresh cloths .Too late! a bear torn down my tent and pooped in my clean cloths. 3rd bear poop study __oh ! The bear is a rug now ,That will  teach him to mess with me .it may be to much for some who read this .i shot this bear while nude --new meaning of bare hunting

So after many other studies of bear poop and bowel movements .I found that bear dont use charmin toilet paper as seen on tv  .They will eat any thing and what they dont eat they ---poop on ! When they have a sleep over at your cabin .They feel to home by haveing a pillow fight .after sleeping a while, they awake poop all over and leave [I Never caught these guys --i have seen their poop many times on trail } these guys are baiting me for another raid on the cabin .

In the height of my studies others were becomeing interested in my studies .Many started thier own studies.One thing we all had in common was same experiances .so studies couldnt be scienific .I wrote a theasus on this subject .Only to be question by many other so called experts of mammal biology .

One day i was reading anchorage news paper ,Head lines read ."Do bears do it the woods "No they dont ! One of the so called bear experts{fish and game officer } to prove to the world what i had tried to do for years .One thing i didnt have was pictures to show proof .The officer had taken a picture of a black bear cub that had fell into out house hole .Two beady eyes and a sh--it eating grin proved that it was a bear .

Now when we read news paper we asume the reporters are right and tell the truth at all times --Ya right ! believe what you may --I still belive that bears dont poop in the woods.Well! when is the last time you stepped into a fresh pile .If so. I dare you to prove me wrong.

 The names of the bears have been changed to protect from  the extinction of species  and help solve  global warming  issues. I want to personaly thank goldilocks and her freinds for help with this study .

Dont go out in the woods tonite ...... 

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