Wed hike

Yesterday proved to be a busy one as did most of this morning, but I did manage to spend an hour hiking in the woods Wed. On the two track on the way in I crossed over a pair of coyote tracks not wanting to stop I continued on confident that I would find more. The tracks did not end with several more deer, raccoon and squirrel tracks seen.

The temp had been 12 degrees F when I left the house with a steady 15 mph North wind, a certain sign of more cold weather to come. I elected to add a hooded sweat shirt to my flannel shirt and heavy wool shirt. Wool being what it is this almost proved to be too warm and had I walked any longer I would have shed the sweat shirt.

The hike was just over 2.5 miles but with at least a 1.2 miles being off the trail in the snow which makes for a more physical walk. During this time I found a partridge roost with plenty of sign and scant. After further examination it would appear that their diet changes along with other herbivores in the dead of winter. The scant contained mostly bark and pulp wood. There were a few berries (the snow is not yet deep enough to restrict access) but these appeared to be undigested. Some animals digestive systems change to a more “course” diet during the winter that reflects the food that is available, the partridge would seem to be one of them.

Also came across a set of raccoon tracks made by what would look to be a heavy well feed coon. He was heavy enough to break through the crust and drag his belly in the snow, very large feet for a coon as well. I would say he was out for his last walk for a couple days at least they more than often tend to hole up when the temp gets this cold.

Finally I was not able to get a pic of a fresh set of coyote tracks during my hike and when I drove out the one I had crossed coming in had been filled in with snow. Until next time I’ll leave you with a quote from Emerson.

“What is life but the angle of vision? A man is measured by the angle at which he looks at objects. What is life but what a man is thinking of all day? This is his fate and his employer. Knowing is the measure of the man. By how much we know, so we are.”

Pre-hike post.

I will venture out again tomorrow with the camera and I hope to capture some sets of coyote tracks. The weather will be ten degrees colder now around 15 degrees and it should keep the animals on the move. We are also supposed to get at least a trace of snow as well. This time the dog stays home freeing up some time to commit myself to tracking. I'll also try to throw in some fire making and possibly some target practice. But my forcus will be a good set of pics.

Pics of my dog.

Todays hike.

Took the dog and camera out for a hike this morning after a fresh snow. The stretch of woods I usually walk has its own beauty every season but there is just something about the quiet and purity of a forest blanked in new snow. I enjoy a certain amount of satisfaction when I notice that I am the first vehicle our footprint in the snow for that day. In the 3 mile block that I walked the only fresh tracks this morning was squirrel. I did come across some coyote tracks but those had been made just before dawn, judging by how much snow had fallen. This was either a young coyote or a female who was using the well established snowmobile trail (as I was) to cover some distance this morning. After a hundred yards the tracks merge with what looks to be a mid to small size domesticated dog track made at about the same time give or take ten minutes. There is a distinct difference between coyote and most domestic dog tracks. I realize now that I should have photographed them to illustrate the difference. Hopefully I can go again tomorrow and find some more.

Back to the hike… after only a few more yards it became clear that our small coyote had taken an interest in this set of dog tracks following its every step and turn. Given the way the dog marked the small trees with regularity and actually on the tree its self with one leg in the air, size of print and height on the tree my educated guess is that it was a male dog between 15 and 25lbs Although I have seen my female lab/ chow mix lift her leg she still does not make a mark like a male dog. This scenario played out for another 60 yards before the dog left the trail and went into the thick scrub pine, where the coyote followed. There was no sign of hurry in the dogs pace so I would assume that the coyote was not with it at the time. Had I been by myself I might have followed it further to see if an encounter had occurred between them at some point. Hopefully he did not become breakfast.

Some recent pics

Tomorrow's Hike.

The weather conditions are favorable for tomorrows outing: 24 degrees and snow. Which means ideal tracking conditions should I come across a set that sparks my interest. I’ve not decided yet if I’ll take my Lab/Chow mix dog Aubrie, ninety percent of the time she is with me. I expect to travel light and not entirely too far from the truck. I’ll wear my wool coat, hat, gloves; take the hatchet, pocket knife, possibly the camera and a fire starting kit. In the very near future I will be buying a shoulder type bag for use in all my outings.