Will went out our driveway to take some work to our local machine shop. When he returned, he told me there were the tracks of a big bull moose on our driveway! Wow! I went out with the camera, hoping to see the big guy, but no dice. He did leave huge tracks for a mile down our driveway to where he turned off to the north through the woods. That’s only the second time I’ve seen moose tracks here. David saw a cow and twin calves twice a year ago and my late husband, Bob, saw two moose nearby, at night several years ago. They’re around, but not common here.

Moose-tracks
Our snow is nearly all gone. Our low last night was 37 degrees, above! But we’ve sure made good use of our warm spell as it’s not “normal.” Will cut barn siding all day yesterday and now has enough lumber to frame the upper wall on the whole barn plus enough siding to do at least the whole west side and more. I’m getting real excited! The siding is wide; both 8″ and 12,” with beautiful grain.

Pine-cant

Headed-to-the-barn
I got another chicken canned up and had plans to do another but our carpenter friend, Tom, stopped by for a visit. We hadn’t seen him for awhile as he has been busy totally remodeling an old farm house for our veterinarian friends, Robin and John. We had a great visit and got caught up on what all we’ve both been doing. Tom had also built a huge storage barn on his homestead this summer, so we know he’s been as busy as we have been. Progress is such a nice thing.

My diverticulitis is just about gone and I’m just starting to eat “normal” food again. I’ll admit I was getting sick of broth, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. Roasted chicken tasted real good! — Jackie

7 COMMENTS

  1. Dave,

    Yep, I know rutting bulls can be dangerous. We walked a couple miles back into a very remote homestead in B.C. that we tried to move onto. (long sad story!) during rut. We carried a shotgun with slugs and the realtor’s husband a rifle. (He had a tag to fill.) We did see a big bull but he was okay. The hunter didn’t shoot him because he only had a yearling tag! That boy was huge. Two of us could have easily sat on each antler!!! We heard them rumble and roar all night and one bull came in the night and “tunked” the corner of the little log cabin several times.
    I still love moose.
    As per the fence; we had a lot of moose on our homestead way up in the mountains in Montana. We kept them out of the garden with a six foot high pole fence. You could also add a hot wire, standing off from the center and on the top, just to be sure. Folks told us we couldn’t garden because the moose and elk would soon clean us out. The pole fence did the trick real well. I’m sure they could have either jumped or shoved through, but they didn’t.

  2. Hi Jackie,

    Your blog post reminded me I have been meaning to ask you about the best way to protect a garden from Moose. We have 20 acres in North Idaho and the “moose freeway” seems to run right across our property. Great to watch all the moose traffic. All our “neighbors” who have lived on our hillside for years tell us not to waste our time trying to plant a garden. The moose will destroy it and there is no fence a moose will not walk right though, knocking it down if they have to. Should we newbies ignore those with years of experience living up here, or do you know a sure way to keep moose out of our garden?

    Yes, moose can be dangerous. Last year during the rutting season a bull moose horned and kicked the heck out of a pickup truck parked at our local general store….”just because”. We figure he must have just been rejected by a lady moose and decided to take out his frustration on the poor guy’s truck, while he was inside the store for simple cup of coffee.

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas
    -Dave

  3. Miss Iris,

    I sure wish he’d hang around. I’d feed him lots of goodies! In Montana, the moose ate right out of the same feed tubs as our horses. I was worried at first; would the horses bite the moose or would the moose hurt the horses. Neither happened. They shared very well! We also put out hay for the moose every day. We really enjoyed them! (Yes, I know. Moose can be dangerous but we always were careful and never had an incident.)
    I’m so glad to be feeling better and I’ll sure keep your tip in mind if I have further attacks. At least now I have an idea of what it is from the start and can head it off at the pass.

  4. ken,

    We are thinking about doing an article on milling your own lumber. It’s definitely one of our best purchases of all time. I’d say the marriage license was the best…..

  5. That was some big moose footprint! Bet he might be hanging around somewhere…probably knows good folks live at your house. Glad you are feeling better – I have diverticulosis and drink liquid warm jello in strawberry flavor to soothe the tummy till it feels better. Hang in there and Merry Christmas!

  6. Glad you are feeling better.
    The mill photos are good to see. I can’t beleive how easily he is turning that cant. I would love to hear more about how you chose that one, or any tips and ideas for those of us who are looking. I bet you could do a book on milling alone.
    Thank You

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