About a week ago John headed out on his snowmobile to pack a longer trail for Joanna on which to train the dogs. It was twenty-five miles from camp and way out in the wilderness on some old logging roads. He gathered together some survival gear and fastened it to the snowmobile, including a chainsaw for downed trees, a pack with extra clothing, gloves, handwarmers, matches, food, etc. snowshoes and an axe.
He knew if he broke down out there, he was on his own and needed to be able to walk to the nearest road for help or camp out till help came.
When he finally came back to camp, covered with snow from breaking trail, he told us the exciting details of his trip. He came to an area where he knew there were some moose hanging out. Suddenly, he looked about 200 feet ahead on the trail and saw a large Timber wolf. He was HUGE in John's estimation, looking to be about 120-140 pounds and in good health. Wanting to move the wolves away from the moose, he kept a steady speed and soon came upon five more wolves. That was a bit unnerving, especially since you can't carry a gun with you anywhere unless you are a trapper or a hunter during the appropriate seasons.
The wolves kept running ahead of him at about 15 -20 miles per hour. After a short time, one by one they hopped off the trail into the deep snow, except for one which continued on for four more miles.
It was starting to get dusk when John turned around to head back. You can imagine what was going through his mind wondering where the wolves were now and if he would again encounter them on his way back. But instead of wolves he came over a knoll and came upon a huge bull moose and a cow!!
Such magnificent mammals they are especially seeing them up close. They soon ambled off the trail and he had a clear shot ahead. I didn't check his pulse when he got home, but I'm sure there was a hefty portion of adrenalin pumping through him with all that excitement. Too bad he didn't have a camera.
No comments:
Post a Comment