tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post4306258194771141003..comments2023-06-14T09:43:48.543-05:00Comments on Nature Knitter: Come to the woods with me!RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-66101957294577602842009-01-17T07:23:00.000-06:002009-01-17T07:23:00.000-06:00Hi Shelley,Thanks for coming along....glad you enj...Hi Shelley,<BR/>Thanks for coming along....glad you enjoyed the walk!<BR/><BR/>Thanks MamaPea, I did send this photo to the MN DNR also and received the ambiguous reply of "maybe so, maybe no." The Rochester DNR guy did admit that wolves have been spotted in SE MN, but usually north and east of Rochester. I guess I'll just have to continue investigating and try to spend more time in this area in 2009 to see if I can find out who left these pawprints.<BR/><BR/>Hi Lynne,<BR/>I guess with the DNR's non-committal response, it's up to me to try and find out if these are really wolf prints after all.<BR/><BR/>Hi Heather,<BR/>I'm really behind on my blogging and will try to catch up this weekend. I think we have 2 portable stands to remove yet, so a total of probably 8 or 9 stands (2 permanent, 1 ladder that we leave out year-round and 5 or 6 portable that we can move as the deer change their seasonal habits). My husband is like yours, he puts up with my dawdling because he knows it makes me happy to be out in the woods: "Happy Wife, Happy Life!"<BR/><BR/>Hi Robin,<BR/>Thanks for stopping by, it was really nice to hear from you. I don't know about your area, but in MN, it's illegal to hunt private property without permission--whether you've posted No Trespassing signs or not. It's the hunter's responsibility to find out who the landowner is and ask for permission to hunt there. As a landowner, I believe you have the right to remove any stands you find on your property. Take them down and sell them on eBay--if they're on your property, they're yours!<BR/><BR/>I only heard coyotes once last fall. There used to be more here, but maybe the "wolf" got them! ;-)<BR/><BR/>Thanks Meggie, I'm glad you could come along!<BR/><BR/>Hi Troutbirder,<BR/>Someone at work sent me those cougar photos also (shot near Caledonia). I checked the Google map and could find no such road names near Caledonia! I believe the guy in the photo probably shot that cougar, but the Caledonia location is totally bogus!!<BR/><BR/>Aw Mare, 4 degrees -- that's awful! Do you have a heater in your pond? I would worry about what that's going to do to all your plantings that can't survive those cold temps.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by Mon@rch, glad you could come along on my hike to the woods.RuthieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-59524671157470052502009-01-16T21:01:00.000-06:002009-01-16T21:01:00.000-06:00Love these guys! :)Love these guys! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-62320618484159412432009-01-16T10:38:00.000-06:002009-01-16T10:38:00.000-06:00I had a blast! Thank you, Ruthie! Oh, if I had s...I had a blast! Thank you, Ruthie! Oh, if I had snow... I was track watcher all my life and loved it. I was never sure who the tracks belonged to, but I had fun.<BR/><BR/>Stay warm! Is this perhaps the coldest weekend of the winter thus far? We expect 4 above tomorrow :o)<BR/><BR/>MaryMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040099513110890878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-69320467633646993542009-01-15T18:30:00.000-06:002009-01-15T18:30:00.000-06:00I got 3 emails last week with a picture of a bowhu...I got 3 emails last week with a picture of a bowhunter with a 200+ lb. "cougar" shot near Caledonia.... and earlier in Wisc., Iowa, North Dakota, Kansas, Montana and Alabama. Maybe he moved on to Roch!troutbirderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087811292280881959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-2019994622447635112009-01-14T22:50:00.000-06:002009-01-14T22:50:00.000-06:00Thanks for the walk in the woods, Ruthie! I didn'...Thanks for the walk in the woods, Ruthie! I didn't even have to put on my boots. Those tracks are most interesting.Meggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06757567456934248035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-51983358017415763372009-01-14T18:41:00.000-06:002009-01-14T18:41:00.000-06:00What a great walk in the woods with you, Ruthie. I...What a great walk in the woods with you, Ruthie. I have missed you.<BR/><BR/>I wish that the hunters who--illegally--erect the deer stands on our property would remove them as conscientiously as you do where you hunt. It's so frustrating to go into the woods and have to tear them down, without even knowing who was there. (Hello! Knock on my door!)<BR/><BR/>Are the coyotes encroaching up there yet? Probably not. But there have been sightings here in Maryland. They're headed your way!<BR/><BR/>Robin Wedewer<BR/>National Gardening ExaminerRobin Ripleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07620026400198513864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-2605051744941351972009-01-13T18:30:00.000-06:002009-01-13T18:30:00.000-06:00Thanks for taking us along on your walk Ruthie. I...Thanks for taking us along on your walk Ruthie. I'll be sharing a walk of my own sometime in the next couple of days (maybe even tonight, if I can figure out which pictures I want to post). Just how many tree stands do you guys have up? As far as being a dawdler, you sound like me. Very rarely can I go on a walk without stopping to look at or listen to something. It must drive my husband crazy, but he's super patient and never says a peep about all my stopping.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15791185232391134319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-23037017603403022372009-01-13T08:37:00.000-06:002009-01-13T08:37:00.000-06:00I had to come back to see if you id'd that huge tr...I had to come back to see if you id'd that huge track. You should ask Julie Z. She knows tracks really well. Maybe she'd id it. I think the MN DNR range maps show a pretty big migratory range.Lynne at Hasty Brookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09187035706322695138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-66889004454401953222009-01-12T17:18:00.000-06:002009-01-12T17:18:00.000-06:00Every now and then I'll talk to someone who swears...Every now and then I'll talk to someone who swears they've seen a wolf...nothing that can be confirmed, however. There's no reason why they couldn't be in the woods. There are wolves over in WI and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't cross the river and get established in the woods over here. There's certainly plenty of deer for them to chase!! If it wasn't a wolf, it would have to be a REALLY big dog!<BR/>Your sissy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-1015029048176469422009-01-12T15:25:00.000-06:002009-01-12T15:25:00.000-06:00Great post, Ruthie. And I didn't feel cold at all...Great post, Ruthie. And I didn't feel cold at all! ;o) Are these woods private property? If so, are there any homes around? And if so, would the residents possibly know if they've seen any wolves around? Just curious.Mary Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077077785157768787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-27889939994932012662009-01-12T13:29:00.000-06:002009-01-12T13:29:00.000-06:00Ruthie - I just asked my husband if he thought the...Ruthie - I just asked my husband if he thought there could be timber wolves in southern MN and he said coyotes, but no wolves. Then I showed him your post and told him how big the prints were that you saw and he said, "Oh! That looks like a wolf to me!" So . . . ???Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-38837759708834228372009-01-12T12:57:00.000-06:002009-01-12T12:57:00.000-06:00Such a beautiful walk and love seeing all the "evi...Such a beautiful walk and love seeing all the "evidence" that the animal friends have left in the snow!Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17534904024320623895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-63242111606831734902009-01-12T11:05:00.000-06:002009-01-12T11:05:00.000-06:00Hi Donna,Thanks for coming along--glad you enjoyed...Hi Donna,<BR/>Thanks for coming along--glad you enjoyed the trip!<BR/><BR/>Hi MamaPea,<BR/>It was a fun afternoon, but my knees aren't too happy about it today!<BR/>You've seen wolf tracks up there--any thoughts on that huge pawprint I found? Do they ever leave individual prints like that?<BR/><BR/>Hi Lisa,<BR/>That treestand looks so much different covered with snow than it did last summer and fall! Glad you enjoyed it.<BR/><BR/>Hi Red,<BR/>We always hear rumors and then finding a pawprint like this really makes me wonder!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for coming along Mom. What do you think about that pawprint? Have you heard any "wolf rumors" lately?<BR/>Sorry to hear about your car battery--you definitely will need a good one with our cold forecast ahead.<BR/><BR/>Glad you could come along Mel. I think Mr. Johnson gave me the easy assignments because he knows how easily I get distracted once I'm in the woods!<BR/><BR/>Hi Susan,<BR/>My cheeks were the only thing that got cold--it was a little windy but I'm glad I've got plenty of warm clothes.<BR/><BR/>You're right Richard, I did think about that.....<BR/><BR/>Oh Jayne, in the time it took me to accomplish me 3 tasks, Mr. Johnson took down 5 stands and made another trip back to the car. He's a machine and I'm such a diddler!<BR/><BR/>Hi Ruth,<BR/>I was wishing I had brought my snow shoes or at least a walking stick. They've gotten a few more significant snowfalls than we had in Rochester. I don't know how the turkeys and other wildlife find enough to eat to survive a Minnesota winter.<BR/><BR/>Hi Dana,<BR/>I agree with you....I'm sure that's information the authorities don't want people to know about--especially based upon the fear it might cause. We had our trail cameras in this area last fall too and I was hoping something might show up on the camera, but no sightings there either.<BR/><BR/>Thanks Marsha!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for doing the homework for me Richard. I was hoping Troutbirder might have some information to share too--this is closer to his neck of the woods.<BR/><BR/>Hi Leedra,<BR/>I did get quite a few good photos of birds and deer from these deer stands last fall. It's a good wildlife area.RuthieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-29385081046679706222009-01-12T09:19:00.000-06:002009-01-12T09:19:00.000-06:00Should leave one up and use as a photographer's bl...Should leave one up and use as a photographer's blind. You can hide to make photos of the animals.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://leedrasphotosforfun.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Leedra’s Photos For Fun</A><BR/><A HREF="http://photographybyleedra.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Photography By Leedra</A>Leedrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04914177127665868671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-32766392609847245312009-01-12T09:01:00.000-06:002009-01-12T09:01:00.000-06:00Was reading up on wolves in MN. and it is quite po...Was reading up on wolves in MN. and it is quite possible those tracks do belong to a wolf. While they tend to be in the northern part of the state, they do cover a large area in their wanderings. You should contact DNR with a wolf sign sighting.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06875150610109193368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-42384557523879641162009-01-12T08:10:00.001-06:002009-01-12T08:10:00.001-06:00I too enjoyed this walk with you through the woods...I too enjoyed this walk with you through the woods...great post!Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06653985303549953889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-70272898348313804012009-01-12T08:10:00.000-06:002009-01-12T08:10:00.000-06:00I once saw a very large dog-looking print when I w...I once saw a very large dog-looking print when I was backpacking and I later asked a ranger if there could be wolves in the area and he said no. But it wasn't a coyote and it'd have to be a very large dog to make that mark, and in an area without trails and no other prints around? hmm?<BR/><BR/>Also the area where our cabin is supposedly no longer has mountain lions, and any "official" person will tell you they are not there. But I have a friend who has seen one and another friend who found a deer carcass on her property that looked like it had been eaten by one. We all think the word is mum by the officials.Dana and Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14006886855600007312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-63228898265984888792009-01-12T07:03:00.000-06:002009-01-12T07:03:00.000-06:00What an interesting hike. That deep snow would be ...What an interesting hike. That deep snow would be challenging to walk in for sure. I have seen a lot of turkeys about this winter and think of you when I spot them. They are hanging around corn fields as they look for food.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15892804871759397018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-58575972105023883022009-01-12T05:56:00.000-06:002009-01-12T05:56:00.000-06:00So you got one down to Mr. Johnson's ten? LOLOLOL...So you got one down to Mr. Johnson's ten? LOLOLOL! I'd be the same way Ruthie! Love all the mystery tracks!Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14057094040409159429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-88759731285765159832009-01-11T22:36:00.000-06:002009-01-11T22:36:00.000-06:00Ruthie...You forgot that Minn. is the home of the ...Ruthie...You forgot that Minn. is the home of the "Timberwolves"..:-)Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06875150610109193368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-35779023139823814452009-01-11T21:32:00.000-06:002009-01-11T21:32:00.000-06:00My feet are cold just reading that.My feet are cold just reading that.Susan Gets Nativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00216170589750418861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-22386634769875185372009-01-11T21:22:00.000-06:002009-01-11T21:22:00.000-06:00Hi Ruthie!It was fun to join you on your 'removing...Hi Ruthie!<BR/>It was fun to join you on your 'removing seats mision'... I also wonder what are those prints...<BR/>Besos,<BR/>MelMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04550692601943778577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-70876279101530910662009-01-11T20:38:00.000-06:002009-01-11T20:38:00.000-06:00Thanks for taking us along to the woods, what a ni...Thanks for taking us along to the woods, what a nice hike in the fresh snow [we had 1/2 in last nite]. The pics are so cute especially the mouse one and the little hole. I laughed out loud at the commentaries, Dad wondered what I was laughting at, he'll find out soon enuf when he reads this blog. Thanks for taking us along on this trip. We spent the afternoon waiting for the battery charger to charge the car battery, it never did so it looks like we will be buying a new battery, oh well. Dad took down the Christmas tree while he was waiting, good job.<BR/><BR/>MOMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-61957702353925191842009-01-11T20:32:00.000-06:002009-01-11T20:32:00.000-06:00I've heard wolves are making a comeback... maybe t...I've heard wolves are making a comeback... maybe there are some out your way! It's either that, or a good sized dog.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302493174417839271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-20738564120764333552009-01-11T20:12:00.000-06:002009-01-11T20:12:00.000-06:00This was a blast Ruthie. Thanks for taking us alo...This was a blast Ruthie. Thanks for taking us along. I wouldn't get anything accomplished out there with all those tracks to follow and cipher over. Good thing you have those pink arrows on those stands. ;) I about fell out of my chair laughing at that.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.com