Deer Season

Trophy shot by sportsman and eaten by Envirocapitalist.

It is that time again in East Tennessee, opening day of deer season. Many hunter's will take to the woods with bows in their hands.  If successful a hunter can expect (after processing )at least 40lb plus  of meat to store in the freezer.  I have found that it takes 7 small does to feed my family a year but recently that has been unnecessary.   Not only do not have the time to hunt enough to kill seven deer but I have found so many people willing to just give their deer to me that I could probably never hunt again and have plenty of meat.  It is so odd at times that they act as though I am doing them a favor by removing their "unwanted meat".  I cannot understand since it is the tenderloin that drives me to wake up early and chase these creatures around steep ridges.  It is like buying chicken quarters at the store and not eating them because it is to much trouble to cut them up and cook them.  I will always be careful not to offend my "sportsman friends" who don't eat deer but still hunt them because I am slowly becoming dependent on their kills. I only shot one deer last year and that was a miracle considering how little I hunted.  With that said I will now adjourn to my man cave to pack my bolts and sharpen my butcher knife in anticipation of success in the field, Your pal the Envirocapitalist.

The Eagle

Found this jewel floating around the internet. I do not know who the original author is.

In one of the western states, a man was caught sitting at a make-shift campfire by a forest ranger, and to the ranger's horror, the man was eating a bald eagle. The man of course was put in jail for the crime.

At his trial, the judge asked him, "Do you know that killing and eating a bald eagle is a federal offense?"

The man answered, "Yes I do your honor, but I got lost in the woods and hadn't had anything to eat for two weeks. I was so hungry. Next thing I see is a bald eagle swooping down at the lake for some fish. I knew that if I followed the eagle, I could maybe steal the fish. I caught up with the eagle, which lighted upon a tree stump to eat the fish. I threw a rock toward the eagle, hoping he would drop the fish and fly away. Unfortunately, in my weakened condition, my aim was off, and the rock hit the eagle squarely on his head, and killed him."

The judge was moved by the man's story and gave a fast judgment. He said, "Due to the extreme circumstances you were under, and because you didn't intend to kill the eagle, the court will dismiss the charges."

The judge, being somewhat of an outdoorsman himself, then leaned over the bench and whispered to the man. :If you don't mind my asking, what does a bald eagle taste like?"

Feeling he had made a friend, the man said, "Well your honor, it is hard to explain. The best I can describe it, it is somewhere between a California condor and a spotted owl."

This is funny to me because I enforce environmental laws and I can't count the times someone confessed a crime to me because they were somewhat proud of it. Your Pal the Envirocapitalist

The difference between me and modern hunters

I am a opportunistic Predator. It is fairly simple as to why I come to this conclusion.

1. I keep guns with me at all times
2. I eat what I kill and what other hunters kill.
3. If I see it and it is in season I kill it, skin it, grill it. Even if I wasn't hunting it at the time.
4. I have received a call and dropped what I was doing to drive down the street and shoot a Ground Hog. ( I had it cleaned quartered and vacuum sealed in less than an hour) See Ground Hog recipe here.
5. I never have the time or money to go on far away hunting trips.
6. I somehow fill my freezer every year just by taking advantage of every opportunity.

I am not ashamed that I am not a "sportsman" but a hunter. I'll shoot a doe instead of waiting on a rack buck. I kill, skin, quarter, and grind to eat, no letting a processor do my dirty work for me. I enjoy this ritual because it connects me to my ancestors , the land, the animals, and my innate need to be self sufficient. I am not competing against other men to see who the best hunter is, I am making a living off the land. Your pal the Envirocapitalist.

Puppies are good.

Puppies are good for kids, and puppies are even good for grown ups.  Our new Jack Russell Terriers were intended to help teach my children responsibility and give them some outdoor playmates.  It turns out that the little fellers are good for Mrs. Envirocapitalist as well.  They have already entertained me and stole my wife's heart.  They have played with the children outside and have already proven to not be gun shy.  They have laid on my wife's lap and chased each other around the front porch.  So far they are a hit.

I hope these little dogs build a bond with my kids and bring joy to them for a long time, but I have to admit it brings back memories from my youth of having dogs and has made me very happy.  The squirrels are in trouble next year and family outings such as hikes and camping trips are going to have a whole new dimension.

If you don't have any dogs I would strongly suggest you consider getting one. A well trained dog which serves a purpose brings more joy than any possession.  Any way Brave is sleeping on his back while Rosie chews on his ear so I had better go and oooh and aaaah with the rest of the family. Your pal the Envirocapitalist.