Feathered Friend

[ctom]

Since my teen years, I have read different accounts similar to mine (in sporting magazines or newspapers) where a grouse bonded with other humans, and I can always remember thinking: "How cool would that be?" 

Well, this little fella has spent hours together with me this fall doing chores and/or hunting, and he's getting ever more comfortable around me (and the wife).  Although he won't let me pet him or feed him (yet), when I go into the woods behind the barn he comes running to me like a puppy and stays by my side (about a foot away) until I go in the house.  I talk to him like a pet (telling him what I am doing out there) and he talks back to me (making cooing noises); obviously these are not Dr Doolittle type communications, but I think this limited communication is what has given him his ever increasing confidence around me.

Les commented with the single word "cool"... Tom and Mike also used "cool" within their posts... and let me say firsthand, this experience is undoubtedly VERY "cool".

Maybe 30 years ago I found a pair of bobwhite quail in the cabin yard, obviously someone's release from pen raised birds since the cabin is about 400 miles north of bobwhite's natural range. They were pretty comfortable around us but disappeared between cabin visits later in the summer. They were interesting to have around as they'd sit in an elevated [12 feet up] tray feeder and eat plain old bird food with the other birds.

Three or four times we've had year and a half old bear cubs that had been kicked away by Mom bear that spring do the same exact thing as your grouse E. We've named them and had them sit on the cabin steps with us. They've taken walks with us on the trails in the woods. They'd come to call if they were not in the yard.

The only difference between wild animals and domestic ones is the degree of interaction with humans. When a person has the opportunity to share time with a wild creature its truly something special.

[efishnc]

Tom-

Did you named your bear cubs?... (I'm guessing you did). 

We named our wild pet Chucky because he acts like a chicken.  You may even get to meet him at some point, that is presuming he survives the winter (and presuming covid doesn't limit your camping again next summer).

[ctom]

We have named them. One we called Stinky because of his breath. He'd sit on the cabin deck behind me as I sat on the top step. He'd put his chin on my shoulder and reach around and pat my bag of marshmallows. I'd take a marshmallow out of the bag and hold it up in front of his snout and he'd grab it with his tongue. Very gentle animal as long as one didn't try to pet him. He was ok with having your fingers run thru the hair on his back if he rubbed up against your leg. Petting would get you swatted. Stinky would come to call by name. He was never an issue bear but as fall came on he got too large to fully trust so we slowly backed away on the contact and he was fine with that. WE think he was back the following spring but only shortly.

[Fatman]

Awesome!! We have a pretty good population in Vermont but the damned out of staters buying up property for summer houses makes it tough to try hunting when trying to get permission to go on the property in the fall!! Not that I've been able to do that with my back!! but used to love hunting them!!

[efishnc]

We have named them. One we called Stinky because of his breath. He'd sit on the cabin deck behind me as I sat on the top step. He'd put his chin on my shoulder and reach around and pat my bag of marshmallows. I'd take a marshmallow out of the bag and hold it up in front of his snout and he'd grab it with his tongue. Very gentle animal as long as one didn't try to pet him. He was ok with having your fingers run thru the hair on his back if he rubbed up against your leg. Petting would get you swatted. Stinky would come to call by name. He was never an issue bear but as fall came on he got too large to fully trust so we slowly backed away on the contact and he was fine with that. WE think he was back the following spring but only shortly.

I'm not sure I would have started feeding them for fear of how it might affect the future, whether creating a nuisance situation with them directly or if they might have had friends (including other larger/parental bears) along with them on return trips. 

There are bears in the area, but I have not seen them on my land (yet).  Even though they tend to avoid humans, that chance encounter (startling one into attacking) is always in the back of my mind given all of the time I spend in the woods during low light.

[efishnc]

It's been a few weeks since I saw my bird buddy Chuck around, and I was fearing he may have been a meal for some other critter.  However, when I went out this morning to gather up some dry wood before the storm hit, he decided to pay me a visit and I was overjoyed to see he was still alive. Making sure I would not soon forget him, he followed me back into the yard and started drumming by our pond; after about an hour of that, he came into the garage to see what kind of projects I was up to and twice used my floor as his restroom in that time... to say he's bold is a bit of an understatement.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Glad to hear you feathered friend is still doing well.

[efishnc]

Thanks walleye... it's been so neat to have him around that I honestly missed him while he was away.

[efishnc]

I was working in the barn (cleaning the carbs on my outboard) when I heard some light scratching noises. I wasn't sure if it might have been birds on the roof or possibly just mice running around inside; then all of a sudden Chuck stepped out from under the boat... I definitely wasn't expecting that! 

I walked down to the house to let the missus know (and see) that Chuck survived the cold weather and predators because we hadn't seen him since early January.  He was pecking at everything green where the snow had melted away, so the wife grabbed some salad material out of the fridge for him... (she's such a softy)... and of course he was an easy sell.

[Lines]

Gives you a sense of belonging doesn't it?

[ctom]

Wild life can hold some amazing surprises. Having a grouse trust you like that is just something else. Unreal.

[Do-it Rep]

That is awesome!

[WALLEYE WACKER]

How cool is that.

[efishnc]

Gives you a sense of belonging doesn't it?

Yes!!!... in spite of the craziness present in our world, this little guy helps me see how little of it truly matters.

[Lines]

"""""""Exactly""""""