Quick update since last week's post-
I'm certain that we have at least 3 Great Horned Owls in the backwoods, two of which I was able to put glass on (thank you Vortex Razor UHD's)
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Within the past two nights, I'm now also hearing at least one Eastern Screech Owl.
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These birds are just so freaking cool... I'm up to 2 species of Owls, at least 4 owls total and also a "battle toad" of which species is still to be determined. A part of me mourns the death of the younger version of me that'd kick my current butt for being as enamored with this type of stuff now but it's starting to feel like I've got my own "Bear Pit" in my own backyard.
Our local municipality apparently releases a quarterly newsletter of sorts which we just got our first one for Fall 2024 today, and they're warning about Bear prevention strategies since the human/bear interaction is likely to go up moving forward. I'm showed this to my wife and tried to convince her that I need to purchase a Marlin 1895 SBL in 45-70 to "protect us" and the house but as of tonight, even with the newsletter, she seems awfully suspicious that I'm using it as an "excuse" to buy a "bear gun" that I don't need (allegedly at least).
I, as the self-appointed protector of my family and head of household, take this responsibility VERY seriously so will continue to work on this familial discussion to ensure we've got the appropriate amount of insurance for the winter this year and moving forward.
-LD