tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post5634157935527128783..comments2018-11-29T21:54:37.049-06:00Comments on Watch Out For The Bull: Moving Cows, "What The Heck Are You Doing On That Field?", and PheasantsRichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-66064637493443170182014-12-11T22:27:25.009-06:002014-12-11T22:27:25.009-06:00I'm not sure how fast they are spreading, but ...I'm not sure how fast they are spreading, but it was this year that they opened up a statewide elk season with a quota system for different zones in the state. Last year there were news stories about the crop damage the elk were causing in the panhandle and southwestern parts of the state, so it looks almost like they are trying to slow down the spread of the elk herd with these hunts. <br /><br />I've been trying to imagine where exactly elk would live around here, and the closest sort of habitat I can imagine an elk would hide in are pastures that are overgrown with cedars. The big cedar thickets I've been in sort of remind me of some of the dark timber areas where I've seen elk in Colorado, besides that I'm not sure where elk would make their homes around here.Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-54325803718210811522014-12-11T22:11:34.843-06:002014-12-11T22:11:34.843-06:00One of the areas in OK that's had elk in the p...One of the areas in OK that's had elk in the past is the Cookson Hills area in NE OK which looks like it's connected to the Ozarks part of Arkansas. Even though the Ozark Mountains in AR are probably better suited to elk than most of OK, I never would have guessed that there were elk in Arkansas. <br /><br /><br /><br />Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-56492218104135053682014-12-11T21:30:57.686-06:002014-12-11T21:30:57.686-06:00Wow, I had no idea elk were spreading like that in...Wow, I had no idea elk were spreading like that in Oklahoma. Back when I was at Ft. Sill, I recall elk being there (I never saw them), but I thought at that time that's the only place they were.<br /><br />Mountain lions, wolves and bears are spreading here.Pat, Marcus & Alexishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13097254988446524947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-58912501880999533752014-12-11T14:40:11.503-06:002014-12-11T14:40:11.503-06:00My parents own a cabin and some land down in NW Ar...My parents own a cabin and some land down in NW Arkansas near the Buffalo River National Park where they have re-established elk in my lifetime. It was sometime in my mid-20's that they brought in the first load of elk and I remember it took several years before I saw my first elk. Now, they have populated enough I almost always see elk when down there and they even have a hunting season now. I still haven't lost the thrill of seeing one though especially when I'm sitting somewhere on a mountain and one goes crashing through the brush nearby. Unlike deer, elk seem incapable of walking quietly through the woods.<br /><br />I've only seen one wild grizzly in Yellowstone many many years ago along with some piles of still steaming grizzly scat. The time I saw one was along the road in a traffic jam caused by tourists who were creeping from their cars to take closer pictures of the grizzly and her cub! I kept my camera ready to capture the mauling which never happened. I would like to see a grizzly in the wild in more natural circumstances... just as long as I'm not dinner or a threat! I would most definitely tell that story until the day I died.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-299243348123051642014-12-11T13:25:20.312-06:002014-12-11T13:25:20.312-06:00I hate to admit it, but if I had to load some pigs...I hate to admit it, but if I had to load some pigs onto a trailer I don't know if I'd know where to start. I know what to do to load a 2000 lb. bull, but loading a 250 lb. pig seems like a pretty difficult task (Seems strange doesn't it?).<br /><br />Mountain lions are supposed to be in OK, so Mountain Lion Day is a real possibility, but I'd guess that it would be a little less festive than Elk Day with celebrations including fireworks and feasting, but definitely no parades. <br /><br />Although as much as I like elk, Grizzly Bear Day might trump Elk Day.Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-57636496414192454242014-12-11T09:49:43.064-06:002014-12-11T09:49:43.064-06:00I know your pain of loading cattle. Loading hogs i...I know your pain of loading cattle. Loading hogs is similar. Back when I was loading hogs for my father, they were raising a lean variety which garnered a premium price but were very susceptible to stress and thus shockers like cattle prods. We learned that the hard way when a few died in transit from the stress of being shocked. From then on, whenever they were being stubborn, we had to push and pull those 240 pound creatures up the shoot and onto the truck. Eventually we learned to put a gate at the end of the shoot and turn them out in the aisles of the building and the shoot several hours before the truck got there to acclimatize themselves. That worked for the most part but you still got the occasional stubborn one to drag in by hand.<br /><br />Since we live among some of the best pheasant hunting in the country, I can't get too excited for you. But I suspect that your excitement is similar to the time I saw my first (and only) mountain lion on our farm. I didn't note the day but I should make a mountain lion day just to celebrate the fact.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-73964894575784066442014-12-11T05:51:24.209-06:002014-12-11T05:51:24.209-06:00So far, Pheasant Day is a relatively reserved day ...So far, Pheasant Day is a relatively reserved day of celebration, but Elk Day would be a day of fireworks, parades, and feasting. <br /><br />Elk are supposed to be spreading across Oklahoma from both the panhandle and the Wichita Mountains area, so it's entirely possible that there might be an Elk Day sometime soon. I'm half-worried that if I see an elk that it might not even register that I'm looking at an elk and then Elk Day wouldn't be observed on the true Elk Day. Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012091795932325815.post-19256463779486610202014-12-10T22:37:05.054-06:002014-12-10T22:37:05.054-06:00Indeed, Elk Day would truly be momentous.Indeed, Elk Day would truly be momentous.Pat, Marcus & Alexishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13097254988446524947noreply@blogger.com