Michigan

[Juise]

I'm trying to learn how to crochet, what helped you the most? I've known the basic stitch since I was little, but it would be nice to be able to make something that wasn't square or rectangular.

I got the one book on it our library had, but it wasn't very helpful to me.

 

[Olive Hill]

Thank you again Olive!
In Hawaii the people (mostly men) shot all the wild pig they could shoot and we were all glad as the pigs quickly repopulated and tore up the island terrain. Plus those pigs were used for luau. The people there also shot a lot of Mongoose. That way, on the island we were on, we did not have a problem with the wildlife.
Common sense, common sense..........

Feral/Wild Hogs are shoot on sight in MI, too. It will be basically impossible to eradicate what has already escaped though, and for that very reason, they repopulate quickly. And then depopulate livestock and native wildlife.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Hmmm. don't know how to feel on the hog issue. Don't want them running all over (never seen one or had anyone i know see one), but then again they have to exist SOMEwhere, so they don't be extinct, so.......... but i know there are the escapees, so..... Puts them in the same place as coyotes bobcats and bears, for me. Don't necessarily want to see one, but don't like that we took their land either. Are these pigs native to MI, or are they imported? If non native, then i don't feel so bad.

He he he. spamming you all with my crashed-out chickies! Been busy trying to keep pearl happy, she's just not as hardy as the others. Wants a momma to show her the food and water, wants insane heat, VERY loud. I hope she gets strong/a little bigger soon, she's driving me nuts...

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
Originally Posted by fuzzybutt love
Are these pigs native to MI, or are they imported? If non native, then i don't feel so bad.

They had not "caught" anything and raised it, they had imported wild boar long ago and had been charging people to hunt them for years.

There is zero risk of these hogs going extinct both in and outside their native habitat.

 

[1muttsfan]

There are no native pig species in Michigan. There are also very few natural predators, especially in the lower peninsula. So there is nothing that prevents them from breeding indescrimenantly, and they are extremely destructive to not only farmlands but wild areas and native animal populations - frogs, snakes, and others due to habitat loss. Ask Farmerboy how long it took those pigs of his to eliminate all growing things in their pen. Once they get loose, the chances of elimitating them is almost zero, as they breed like crazy and are very wily and intelligent animals. As Olive said, those pigs were going to be shot on the ranches - at least the DNR used experienced sharpshooters, and ensured a quick kill, instead of relying on amatures to kill them.

 

[Elliemae 77]

Juise...Lol. boy does that sound familiar! 4yr old and a 8 month old here. I'm with you, its not like you get to do much but wrangle the kids. I can do that much easier from Home.

Sarah... I didn't mean to sound prickly, if I came off that way I apologize...its just a lot of people seem to think the cops are out to get them and speaking from the other side I know that's not true, at least not with the folks that I know. Now I'm not denying that there are some jerks out there on a power trip, its so sad that those are.the ones that grab the headlines....ok, I'm off my soap box now.

 

[Olive Hill]

frogs, snakes, and others due to habitat loss.

And not even just habitat loss, hogs are omnivores. They eat frogs, snakes, mice, rats, rabbits... whatever they can catch. Where there are established populations they are proven predators of lambs, goats, newborn cattle, etc.

 

[Opa]

I taught myself how to crochet last summer, and I really like it but it takes some time. I made my family each something for Christmas, hats I think are my quickest thing to make! I made my dad a pair of thick fishing socks that took FOREVER but were so cool. I started a comforter for our bed but I haven't worked on it much...such a big project feels very daunting to me.

I'm trying to learn how to crochet, what helped you the most? I've known the basic stitch since I was little, but it would be nice to be able to make something that wasn't square or rectangular.

I got the one book on it our library had, but it wasn't very helpful to me.

Granny crochets constantly and has been doing so for over 60 years. She is not the least intimidated by huge projects. I've lost count of the number of table clothes, doilies, christening gowns, and even queen sized bed spreads she has made. Yet inspite of all that experience she was thrilled to learn different way of initiating a project. When I was trying to find a pattern for her on line I found something called a "magic ring". It's a method that's used when you make your first few stitches and it allows the item to lie flat while eliminating the hole in the center. Granny has called several of her friends to tell them about it,how useful it is, and great is is to still be learning new things. You may already be aware of the "magic ring" but if not taking the time to do a web search would be time well spent.

 

[Stacykins]

All this talk of wild boars reminds me of a local rancher who does those canned boar hunts on his land. He was outraged that he'd have to cull his boars because he wasn't one of those irresponsible boar ranchers that had escapees. Maybe not, but all it takes is a pregnant sow eventually escaping and OH LOOK! we have a feral boar problem here in the UP. Do you know how disastrous that would be? And it would be nearly impossible to track down and irradiate them once they escaped due to the highly rural nature of the UP. Exceptions can't be made.

Here is one of the news stories. Pretty much covers only his side on the issue with only a tiny blurb about the problem this invasive species can and will eventually cause.

 

[Opa]

I never have been able to get my head around the idea of a vegan lifestyle. I have a nephew who advocates no meat no dairy and claims we'd all be much healthier if we'd become exclusively plant chewers. Maybe if I'd never experienced real food it might be possible. The taste of a thick steak just off the grill, the aroma of bacon frying, chicken and ribs just out of the smoker are just a few of the things that would make changing my diet impossible. Since God didn't give me teeth like a cow I guess I was meant to be an omnivore.