Return Of The Elk

Day 159: As far as I know, there has been no decision as yet in regard to the appeal filed by the developer to reverse the county's decision to revoke their permit to build a mega-resort on this property based on the fact that they (the developers) have made no progress toward meeting construction deadlines in twenty years' time. That, however, is another page in history, and one best laid aside for the moment. Today, we can rejoice in the sight of at least fifty Roosevelt elk pasturing on new grass, an increase in their numbers over the last decade (at least in my observations). Once numbering at least 108 (by actual count), members of three different herds once came here to dine, but they were discouraged from gathering by having shots fired over their heads and being pursued by tractors and other vehicles until only a brave 30 or so remained. The population had stagnated at that level over the last decade, but this year, the census has swelled by at least fifty percent. Whether this is due to reproductive success or the merger of one herd with another, I do not know. I'm just glad to see them out there, keeping the thistles cropped.

Roosevelt Elk

Day 181: The Roosevelt Elk have been out almost every day for the last two weeks (32 in this morning's count), and as of this writing, they haven't ventured over to my side of the road. For now, they seem to be content to eat the new grass shoots, but sooner or later, they'll get a whiff of the assorted tasty shrubs in my yard and Spring War 2019 hostilities will have begun. I have my slingshot handy, but they generally launch their assaults on the garden under cover of darkness and unless I sleep with one eye open, they'll crop plants right down to the ground. The horse chestnuts survived despite last year's onslaught and I will be putting chicken-wire or plastic mesh over most everything else. Oddly, even plastic bird-netting is effective as a deterrent. Far be it from me to tell them they should floss after (or during!) meals.