Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[BY Bob]

I don't understand the whole "trophy thing". An animal in magnificent in life. Not so when it is carved up, skinned, or taxidermied, or reduced to just a head/antlers on a wall.
Why aren't "trophy photos," taken with a good camera and long lens- and mounted on the wall just as good? I never had an urge to kill something just to show how skilled or lucky I was to find them.

Here! Here! I second this. Well said.

 

[Kris5902]

When we moved in 50 years ago, the neighbor across the street had us come in to view his home. The living room(second floor) had wild animal heads mounted on every available space on the walls. Too many. It creeped me out and I worried he would have human heads next.

He was a big Paul Bunyan of a man, and his wife was a petite woman, obviously frightened of him.

Neighbors said he moved his mistress into the house, and his wife down the basement.

No one doubted that for a minute. Thank goodness he had no kids that anyone knew about.

Eventually he moved to the wilds of Michigan to hunt . Girlfriend and wife came with. I imagine he wanted the wife to continue cleaning, cooking and maid service. Hope she was able to escape before something truly evil happened to her.

That is a terrifying prospect... I get the back to the land mindset and all, but the rest just sounds like the beginning or a horror story of some sort!

I have to say I have done a little Taxidermy

A pre-deceased Rat I found as a request from my then Boyfriend for a Rat skull for Hot Rod parts, which slightly traumatized my father and added taxidermy to the list of “may not do in my basement suite” I am also currently trying myhand at tanning a cowhide. Fudgeeo was supposed to have been kept, (it was promised before I named her) but the Farm Manager changed her mind... and as I have no valued (by them) opinions on anything since this summer (big family drama thing). Anyway, I may not be able to keep her, but I can try to preserve a part of her and make use of as much of her sacrifice as I can. She had a very soft, huggable coat, with a slight golden tint to the brown.

One of the other residents here is also working on some (4) raccoon skins. They were terrorizing the farm chickens, and even managed to get hold of one through the run. She was shocked, but survived - despite having been left for dead in the cold mud all night, shut out of the coop, which they only bothered to close up at night for about a week after the attack.The senseless killing of animals however, for only decorative/bragging purposes, really pisses me off to. It’s a herbivore and you had a fun? Really where is the “sport” in it. (See... I’m still quite angry about it!)

 

[Kris5902]

On to more happy thoughts, we did fairly well at the Christmas market bringing in about $200. And, if the concrete isn’t coming on Monday, Andrew and I will be making a trip in for feed and groceries. If the concrete is coming that will take precedence

 

[Ribh]

Hoping for concrete. Trophy hunting just distresses me.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I have one more little rant, not chicken related, or house related, or even FIL related. You may want to skip this one, I’m still fuming and it’s been almost a week. Trophy Hunters

Andrew and I were sitting having coffee in the late morning, and we heard gunfire. Ok, FIL taking down a deer? The cold room is full of lambs and cows, so I don’t know where he thinks he’s going to hang it. Maybe a hunter we weren’t told about? We are “bad people” and now out of the info loop. A Second shot... nope goats (they are smarter and harder to hit) Third shot??? WTH? Fourth, fifth, up to seventh and eight rapid shots. Should we go investigate? He’s usually not that bad a shot. Is he trying to take out the whole herd or something? No better to just lie low and wait it out.

There were hikers in the parkland bordering our property, they fled back the way they came and contacted parks. A Parks Officer was also on parks property on the ridge above us, and agrees with our assment that the shots were definitely fired west of our trailer, which is why we thought “FIL apparently can’t hit the broadside of a barn anymore?” They came out the next day and found headless goats dumped out by the bay. It is assumed the criminals came in by boat. They removed the bodies and took DNA samples. All local Taxidermists are being required to submit DNA samples of their clients animals for comparison. It is illegal to hunt on Parkland, or carry a weapon through it, or trespass on private property to hunt/discharge a weapon. If they find them,(and I really HOPE they do!) the people responsible will be prosecuted.

I HATE trophy hunters. This, and uncontrolled dogs, is why I get so upset about trespassing. If you’re going to shoot it, be prepared to eat it... I’m not against hunting (venison pasta sauce for dinner tonight, again!) just the wasteful Disrespectful of the animal, no-good Trophy hunters, and people who don’t wait for a clean shot and just injure rather than kill the animal. Shoot at inanimate targets until you know you’re able to do it right.

I think people who kill for "sport" and gathering trophies are fundamentally insecure

On to more happy thoughts, we did fairly well at the Christmas market bringing in about $200. And, if the concrete isn’t coming on Monday, Andrew and I will be making a trip in for feed and groceries. If the concrete is coming that will take precedence

Ooooh! concrete!

 

[rjohns39]

Morning Kris Hoping for concrete

 

[aart]

Ooooh! concrete!

Ditto Dat!!!^^^

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Ditto Dat!!!^^^

X's 3 - bring on the concrete

 

[BY Bob]

X's 3 - bring on the concrete

Pour baby pour! Let's get that concrete down.

 

[Kris5902]

A Slight hitch... while we were at market FIL and “help” (I was clear I’m not paying for it!) removed the poly and dumped a bunch of dirt. Said “the wind” ripped it all up. I suppose “the wind” also took all the tape off, and as to the boards and rocks that were weighing it down, it removed them from the house area completely? Sure... Then Andrew had probably his worst birthday in the ten years we have been together. I am almost through with this crap. If the concrete comes and he’s destroyed the site then he can pay for it all. Right now the only thing holding us here is the community and 71 chickens. Tomorrow will be a better day, it will start for me in about 5 hours.