Site Discussions

I come from the protected, sanitized suburbs, raised to abhor the killing of anything for any reason (meanwhile virtuously buying my meat in plastic wrap at the supermarket). When we moved to rural Vermont, one of our first social events was the arrival of two deer hunters at our door, politely requesting permission to cross our land to access their regular hunting grounds. The next spring, another one arrived to request same for hunting turkey.

Predictably, I was appalled, but, as a stranger in a strange land, I bowed to their courtesy and returned it. (After all, these were armed men and we live in a remote location. Who knows what could happen if we angered them?)

But these hunters have returned every year for more than a decade to politely repeat their request, in the process becoming friendly acquaintances and teaching us much about the land and animals surrounding us. They have also brought us meat.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have seen jerks in pickup trucks swilling beer, shooting out the windows, and trespassing without qualm. We have found deer carcasses and body parts lying discarded in back corners of other people’s property. I suspect that these folks have formed many non-hunters’ notion of hunting.

While I, personally, find the idea of shooting and dressing an animal revolting, I’ve learned to accommodate it in others. After all, that’s how our forebears survived. And it seems that serious hunters are not only respectful—if not reverential—toward animals and the natural world, they also are honorable toward people and clean up after themselves. They hunt for the challenge of tracking; the intimate experience with the wilderness; and to put food on the table.

Given that the human population has seriously squeezed the animal population into smaller and smaller habitats, overpopulation is definitely a problem “out there” where predators no longer cull the herd. The state agencies responsible for wildlife management carefully monitor and calculate a species’ status and adjust hunting allotments accordingly. In the suburbs, where hunting is impossible, wildlife have become nuisances and disease carriers. Population management is vastly more difficult, and serious accidents on roadways vastly more common.

So I no longer sympathize with townies who romanticize wildlife and blanketly condemn hunting. My ongoing ties with the suburbs and city have shown me over and over that the average resident is clueless about the natural world and cannot speak from direct experience. I wonder if their opinions would change if they were hungry… or if a wild animal took out their pet, or ravaged their garden. Or if they couldn’t call an exterminating service to make squirrels, mice, skunks, and raccoons go away…

I was in the Allegheny National Forest, North West Pennsylvania back in the mid 80’s. We found this plant in abundance in the forest. We used it to mark trails at night because of it slight glowing effect.

I can’t find recipes anywhere for butternuts. Can you help me find at least one recipe if not more? Thank You

There are people out there who will not be happy till we are once again rolling in our own filth like animals.

Don’t try and reason with that type. Theirs is a faith based religion, not logic.

I have a tree farm.  Need to know how much white pine is now.

I am pleased to find a word that describes the feeling Dave describes, which I know so well.

But . . . how do you pronounce it? “Swuh-DA-day”?

I think I have some serious infestation of a Norway maple tree in my yard. Small, perfectly round holes on one third of the bark/trunk from knee level up to 9 ft. I think today I see a small, reddish-looking insect (beetle) in one of the holes. Lots of sawdust on the ground and lots of bark peeling away. How do I know what kind of infestation I have and what to do. Whom to call? Help!  Jenny

Mr. Mance has done it again to me. No one can make me “feel” the written word like he can. This story makes me feel “saudade.” I wish he would publish a book of his short stories. I’m sure it would be my favorite book. Thanks Dave.

Thanks for the behind the scenes glimpse of what goes on in the editors room. Sorting out passionate opinion from crackpot observation isn’t always easy. In the example given, I think you made the correct decision not to publish. Northern Woodlands is a fine publication and I for one would not like to see it turn into an editorial free-for-all.

I finally identified this plant in our restored prairie and wetland.  The unusual thing is that it is in a heavily disturbed area that was completely replanted with prairie plants and was upland and fairly dry.  It had no trees associated with it, but perhaps there was dead wood that it was growing on.  It was June when I saw it, and then it was lost as the larger plants grew around it.

More years ago than I like to admit, I grew up on a farm in central Maine. We heated exclusively with hardwood that we cut from our woodlot. Being that it was an old, uninsulated farmhouse it took around 14 cords to make it through the winter. I’ve got to tell you, I never laid an eye on a splitting maul until after I left to go out on my own. My father preferred,what he called,a pole axe. The trick was to always split the wood when it was frozen and not to strike the wood straight on(that results in the axe being stuck in the wood). A slight twist of the wrists resulted in the blade hitting at a slight angle and popped the wood apart. After many, many years of using a splitting machine, I helped a friend hand split a pile of wood a couple of years ago. He was using a maul and I used an axe as my father taught me. He was amazed that I was twice as fast as he was with the maul. To be fair,we were both fifty something and that axe was a lot easier to swing!

I will have containers of “enviro” wood chips beetle killed spruce at Seattle port later in 2009/10; looking for a home for them.

Sighted 4 September 2009.  Have photo I can e-mail if you need it.

We grow milkweed for the monarchs every year. We find if we cut down the first crop the new plants are usually covered with caterpillars every year. Unfortunately this year we haven’t seen a single caterpillar or butterfly. Is anyone else experiencing this?

Not only would Ruby and people like the crab apple blossoms, but so would the bees, the grouse, myriad songbirds, and other critters. Good choice!

Specialize in Black Walnut in Central KY.

How about something with red (ruby) blossoms? Actually, one of those maple-leaved viburnums, or high-bush cranberry as they call it locally (at least I think they’re the same thing), that gets beautiful white clusters of flowers in June, then gorgeous red berries in the fall. The birds love them, too. Planted in a protected place, they can be very shapely, not too big, but stately and elegant.

I also have always loved the idea of planting something in memory of departed friends and family. Have a great time with that!

Marian

What a wonderful tribute to Ruby, a gentle and loving fur person. We miss her, too.  We recently planted a row of flowering crabs along the south side of Ryder Rd.  We hope to still be around in a few years when they put on a beautiful spring display.

Where could I find prices for softwoods?

I live in SE Iowa, and am an avid hunter and outdoorsman; this is the first time I have ever seen this plant, AMAZING.  Smell them, they have an herbal smell.  As soon as it gets dark I will see if they glow. I was hoping they were edible.  Lots of cool mushrooms this year too.  Loving life.