This year the weather cooperated to make an excellent first day of rifle season: there was a sudden cold snap with high winds and snow on Friday evening and Saturday dawned cold and clear. Friend Ken came up to try his luck and got a small cow by mid-morning. Gary heard the shot and soon got a call from Ken (cell reception is available on upper part of the property). He hiked up with Rosie to find Ken. Rosie was not sure what to think of all this excitement and was a little cautious about approaching one of the animals she has only barked at from afar. Gary then hiked back down to get Ken's game sled and move his truck to a place near the trail. By the time he got the game sled up to the kill, more help had arrived and the kill was soon in the back of Ken's truck.

Starting November 1 we got a lot of snow. The elk started hanging out below the Main House; some even bedded down on our lawn, which distressed the dogs. They seem to know Pumpkin is getting too old to chase them and Rosie is too timid, so they just stand and stare the dogs down. On November 11, Ken got his second elk not far from the house; it was a lot easier to get that one into the truck.

Montana still thinks there are too many elk in our area and have asked again that we allow hunting during an extended “shoulder season” that lasts until January 1, 2018. Marcus and Kendal are hoping the elk stick around so they can get one (each) when they come up for Christmas; stay tuned for results.

When the elk are here, we get coyotes as well. Pumpkin is not happy about coyotes on her territory and tries to chase them. At the end of November, she chased one and wound up surrounded by three. She got a nasty nip on her hindquarters before Gary got out his air rifle (which makes a very convincing sound) to scare them away.