I get a kick out of the encounters that folks have with wildlife.  If you remember a few days back i referenced a jogger who was run over by a bear.  Well this week, a Colorado Cyclist seems to have tried to even the score, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Tim Egan, 53, was riding on Old Stage Road Tuesday afternoon when suddenly a bear appeared in front of him. Egan hit the bear and ended up skidding across the road….

…Egan estimated he was going about 45 miles per hour at impact. He said the bear was about 6 feet tall and probably weighed 500 pounds.

That is a pretty incredible accident.  Luckily he was able to pedal himself to the hospital. What amazes me is that it is the second bike/bear collision in two years.  There must be a heck of a bear population there or one dumb, slow bear!

You can read the rest of the story here. 

The grass on the hills is all a golden tan, and only the faintest traces of green grass remains around hillside springs and low lying valleys, in the North Bay Area.  Deer are being concentrated in the evening and mornings on the few places where green feed is still abundant.  In the rural/suburban interface, these are usually lawns and golf courses that are kept green with sprinklers.  Since the Blacktail bucks are still grouped up in bachelor bands, it can make for some great wildlife watching.

At first glance, you might think that the high fence is part of a deer farm, but that is NOT THE CASE.  One of my friends was kind enough to send me these photos of some bucks who were in the city limits at a manufacturing facility.  Goes to show what kind of blacktail genetics are in Sonoma and Marin County. 

I didn’t want to bring this up before the Anchorage Alaska Mayors Marathon, but now that it has passed, I can bring it to all my readers attention.  (I didn’t want to scare off the Team in Training folks I trained with.) It just serves as a reminder that there are still places in the West that wildlife is part of the landscape that we have to take into account in our daily activities.  There are cities in all of the 12 Western States where urban wildlife is a reality. 

From the Anchorage Daily News on June 18th 2008

On Saturday, the 50-year-old competitive skier and triathlete was run over by a grizzly as he and a running buddy were finishing a three-hour workout that took them from Hillside Park up to the base of Flattop Mountain and back.

Rogers happened to be wearing a heart-rate monitor for training at the time. He thought his maximum heart rate was 180. He later looked at the monitor and realized he’d hit 193.

“You hear about people dying of fright,” he said. “Well, this was scary, and I’ve the data to prove it. I think it aged me about five years.”

Rogers suffered no injuries, though

Read the rest of the story HERE

The National Interagency Fire Center has issued the following report:

June 24, 2008

A critical wildland fire situation continues to develop in northern California. Firefighters are battling 32 large fires in California that have burned more than 180,000 acres. New large fires were also reported in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Here in California, the Weekend of June 21/22 had a large number of lightning strike fires. At one time on Sunday it was reported that there were over 600 fires burning in Northern California. Here in the North Bay area, the smell of smoke permeates everything, and visibility is severely limited.

The summer wildfire season certainly affects Western hunters. While periodic wildfire is a good thing for many big game species habitat, it may affect access to historic hunting areas. That is why part of my pre season “remote scouting’ involves monitoring wild fire reports such as the NIFC, (for large incidents) and state wild fire agencies such as CAL FIRE

The Cal Fire northern California Status Report as of Tuesday morning, was:

Northern California

The Wild Fire incident, located in the Green Valley area of Napa-Solano Counties, has burned 3,750 acres and is 40 percent contained. There is one residence and one outbuilding destroyed.
The Walker Fire is located near Indian Valley Reservoir in Lake County. This fire is 3,500 acres and zero percent contained with 35 residences threatened.
The Lime Complex Fire is located in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Trinity County-five miles south of Hyampom. The fire is currently at 4,000 acres and is zero percent contained. There are 1,200 residences, two commercial buildings and 300 outbuildings threatened. One commercial property has been destroyed.
In the Shasta-Trinity counties, over 130 fires are burning at a total of 5,000 acres, threatening 13 communities. Eastbound Highway 299 may be impacted by these fires.
The Quarry Fire is located near the base of San Bruno Mountain in Brisbane, San Mateo County. This fire is 300 acres and 100 percent contained.
Fires are burning in various locations throughout Humboldt County. The fires are currently at over 900 acres, including four new fires that started today. Five residences are threatened.
In Butte County, fires burning near the communities of Concow, Magalia and Paradise total 1,397 acres and are five percent contained. 200 residences are threatened.
110 fires, including 20 new fires discovered yesterday, are burning in Mendocino County, totaling 7,625 acres. 17 of these fires are contained. Four of the fires are greater than 1,000 acres. Over 525 homes are threatened

This will affect my scouting trip into the Wilderness on the 4th of July weekend, I’m sure.  The wilderness area I frequent had 12 active fires as of Monday.  It will be interesting to see how many continue to burn, since there are fires that threaten homes, and property in other areas. 

California Hunt applicants, your draw results are available.  My results were not what I had hoped,but I have a B zone Deer Tag coming so you may see me in the wilderness. 

The following results were found:

ANTELOPE: Not Drawn random # .907588 
DEER: Drawn for B On App 50803309 
ELK: Not Drawn random # .802760 
SHEEP: Not Drawn random # .813241 

You may find out YOUR Results at : https://biggame.dfg.ca.gov/biggame/

The American Sporting Dog Alliance has brought to my attention a California Assembly bill which will severely impact owners of dogs, especially those of us with hunting or working dogs.  Since this revised bill has removed the previous mandatory spay-neuter wording, it gives any citizen the ability to report a violation of any local ordinance.  The accused offender would have no right to appeal or review, but the choice between paying a high fine or spaying or neutering their dog.  That’s EXTORTION in my book.

I’ve included the ASDA release and contact info below.  Please help California’s responsible dog owners avoid another attempt by Animal Rights organizations to infringe on the rights of thousands of hunting dog and working dog owners.

Revised California AB1634 Unleashes
Animal Rights Vigilantes On Dog Owners

A Complaint Does Not Require Proof In Court

by JOHN YATES
American Sporting Dog Alliance
http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org
asda@csonline.net

SACRAMENTO, CA – Animal rights extremists would be given unchecked vigilante powers to attack dog owners under a revision to AB1634, which is now before the legislature.

Read the rest of this entry »

At the conclusion of the morning service we had another hearty breakfast and saddled our mounts for the Playday/Rodeo. After a short ride over the hill we assembled at the portable arena that the capable crew had disced up and surrounded with portable panels. Complete with roping chute and cattle pens the days activities consisted of a seemingly endless list of activities that nearly all the members participated in.

Since I’m always eager to take part, I entered nearly every class available. it wasn’t until the Rescue race after lunch though that I was able to win a ribbon. In the rescue race the object is:

• to race out of the arena with half a dozen other riders,
• up a side hill (after dodging the pickup trucks and culverts in the way) to a pickup point 300-500 yards away
• pick up the “passenger” on behind the saddle, race down off the hill (and back through the obstacles)
• cross the finish line with both riders, horse and saddle intact.

My partner John Ponts and I crossed the finish line a close second. Yeah he is a professional skateboarder…and a closet Cowboy.

My next event was “Steer Undecorating”. In this event a roper ropes the steer while the “mugger” (that’s me) grabs the ribbon off of the steer’s tail, and runs it back to the flagger for a time. Shortest time wins. Who is my roper? Why it’s Mike Persico, my wrestling opponent from Monday. Sure enough he caught the steer quick and then it was my turn to go to work..

Jimmy Sweigert captured the action. Unfortunately, my time was not quick enough to place.

Going down the rope, when the steer decides to get aerial on me.

Going for the ribbon on the tail.

Here I have the ribbon in hand,

With the ribbon in hand, I’m off to the flagger.

Now that I was good and warmed up, the next event was “Double Mugging”.  in this event 3 cowboys have a hold of a lariat around a steers neck. The steer is given a 15 foot head start out of the chute, and then it is the object of the three cowboys to wrestle the steer to the ground with all four legs pointing in the same direction.  Then the rope is removed from the steer and is run to the Flagger for a time.  Fastest time wins. 

I partnered with Brandon Pintane, (a PG&E employee and former Marine who is just as big as me), and Dan O’Donnell, both from our Richardson Camp. We threw our steer and posted a time of just over 25 seconds, beating the next closest team by more than 15 seconds.  I paid the price though when I turned the steer, went to the nose, and as we hit the dirt, I heard something “POP” and felt the pain shoot through my ribs…As I write this, six days later, I still cough and sneeze gingerly…

But as soon as I got my breath back it was time to enter in the Team Penning Event.  On the SCTB Trek, Team penning is a 4 man team, so my uncle Colby, Bert Owens, Peter Boice and I combined to take third place as we penned three steers in just over one minute. 

At the end of the day I had won  First, Second and Third place ribbons.   As I nursed my sore ribs with 800 mg of “Vitamin I” (Ibuprofen), I felt a feeling of accomplishmentas the sun began to set.  With a drink in my hand I enjoyed the sounds of the “Trailblazers band” as they played on the Stage into the night. 

Another morning with the typical roosters crow and serenade.  Today was a special morning as we gathered for a somber occasion and a tradition that goes back to the earliest days of the Trailblazers.  On Wednesday morning an “Empty Saddles” memorial service is held to remember the members who have passed away since our last Trek.  Whether you are an “Old Guard”, or a first year guest, it is an emotional moment.  The Words to the chorus “Empty Saddles” by Bing Crosby have new meaning since I heard it sung by Dan Steadman for the first time in 2001.

Empty saddles in the old corral,
Where do ya ride tonight?
Are ya roundin’ up the dogies,
The strays of long ago,
Are ya on the trail of buffalo?
Empty saddles in the old corral,
Where do ya ride tonight?
Are there rustlers on the border,
Or a band of Navajo
Are ya headin’ for the Alamo?
Empty guns covered with rust
Where do ya talk tonight?
Empty boots covered with dust
Where do ya walk tonight?
Empty saddles in the old corral,
My tears would be dried tonight
If you’ll only say I’m lonely,
As ya carry my old pal
Empty saddles in the old corral

This year we remembered eight SCTB members including Richardson Camp’s own Bill Sweigert.  I wrote about his passing in a January in a column titled Farewell Old Friend.  We were extremely honored that two of his sons, James and Bill III, were able to join us and take part in this special ceremony.  In fact James created a web page with pictures that really portrays the true feelings of the morning. 

Tuesday morning dawned as did Monday in Trailblazer fashion.  At 9:00 we rode North out of camp to the old Kelly Barn where there was a trail class set up for those of us who wanted to show off out mounts trail savvy and control.  The obstacles in order were:

1. Drag a log on the end of a lariat while dallied to the horn.  Turn and face the log and drag it back to the starting point.
2. Teeter totter.  A bridge that has a pivot point in the center that tips when your horse steps over the balance point.  The obstacle was 4 ft wide by  8 ft. long, with about a 12 inch high fulcrum.
3. Bag of cans.  Pick up a Hefty bag of aluminum cans from the ground and set in front of the saddle then lower the cans back to the ground.
4. Gate.  Open, pass through and close a gate on horseback.
5. Back though L.  Back your horse through an L shaped path on a side hill with out stepping on the branches laid on the ground that made the L.
6. Dismount and Re-Mount ON THE RIGHT SIDE. 
7. Barrel and Hide pull.  Drag a barrel covered with a cowhide withthe rope dallied to the saddle horn.
8. Hanging tarp.  Ride horse to the doorway of a barn with a blue plastic tarp hanging in it.  Stand quietly in front of the tarp for 10 seconds before riding through the tarp.  Turn around once int he barn and ride back through the tarp.
9. Side pass.  Step horse over a log and sidestep to the right the entire length of the log without steppin on or over the log.
10. Slicker.  Ride up to a slicker hanging from the rafter of the barn.  put on the slicker while mounted.  Ride in a circle then remove the slicker and hang back on the rafter.
11. Wagon wheel.  Holding a 1×4 approximately 10 feet long with one end on an upright barrel. Ride horse in a circle while keeping the end of the board in the middle of the barrel top.
12. Roping dummy.  Swing a rope and rope a steer head on a bale of hay, pull slack and dally.  Take 2 steps back. 

From the discussions later I heard I was in the top echelon at the end of the obstacles.  Wednesday at the playday, the arena portion of the trail horse title will be decided.

Dawn arrived with the crow of the rooster and the melody of “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” (from the musical Oklahoma) at 6:00 am.  I awoke to a layer of dew condensed on my bivy sack from the foggy night. I was sure glad that I had brought it!  After feeding the horses, and a cup of coffee by the campfire we headed down to main camp for breakfast buffet  of hash browns, cereal, fruit, yogurt, sausage, ham, bacon eggs cooked to order, coffee, milk and orange juice.  Bloody Mary’s and gin fizzes were available to those who needed an eye-opener. 

As I saddled my horse “Shorty”, I noticed that the activity around camp had elevated his alertness and he was pretty wired from the hustle and bustle as 300 horses and riders prepared for the first day’s ride.  I spent a good 30 minutes lunging him in a circle to try to get his antics and mischevious ways out of his system before we hit the trail. 

We rode South out of camp a mixture of wagons and riders.  I let Shorty find his pace and we weaved our way through traffic on our way to lunch camp.  His ground eating walk was preferable to the “jigging” that he would do if I tried to check his pace.

Lunch camp was a small opening with the remains of a loading chute and corral.  The portable bar arrived shortly after we did, and the rough and tumble festivities commenced.  A common first day occurance is for the rowdies to grab ahold of the unsuspecting victims pocket and rip it off.  Usually a good natured wrestling match ensues until one of the combatants “taps out”.  Ah, the games cowboys play.

As I made my way to the bar for a gin and tonic, I could see the sharks circling, eyeing my Cinch shirt.  It’s pocket had been mended from year’s prior activities.  Finally a Willits cowboy by the name of Mike Persico (remember his name folks) couldn’t stand the suspense and grabbed ahold of it.  I immediately latched on to his wrist and the dust began to rise.  Shortly I had Mike on the ground shouting “Enough!” Laughing, I gave him a hand up and he slapped me on the back as we bellied up to the bar.  My wrestling skills weren’t enough to save my pocket though as the previous repair held so well, the material around the pocket all ripped rendering it into a rag.  Remember folks, this is all in good sport.  I knew what I was getting into.

After a lunch of cold fried chicken, beans and coleslaw, we rode back to camp along the shady tree covered logging roads.  I enjoyed the sights and sounds of trace chains jingling, wagon wheels creaking and the rythmic sounds of hoofbeats on the well packed road.

That Night we enjoyed Hor d’oevres prepared by the outlying camps including grilled duck breast, Venison, and Rocky Mountain Oysters.  I barely had room for dinner that night including clam chowder, Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, and vegetables.  One thing is for sure, the food was fantastic!

I drifted off to sleep dreaming of the meals to come, as the fog rolled in.