[Col Mike]

in reply to: Note of appreciation #11441

Steve

Since my last carrier, this is the best collection of folks that have the same commitment to my core values of, honor the earth and all of it’s inhabitants.

It is indeed a pleasure to be part of this group and to share, our thoughts and stuff.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Clay Video #11414

Stix wrote: Agreed. Great Video and superb editing. I’m gonna have some free time for the next week or so so I bookmarked a listing of Clay’s videos on youtube, and well as videos from Tom Brown jr.

Again, back on with over a month absence and with keeping to our sites ethic that we slam no one or business mentioned–I do have to caution readers that Tom Brown Tracker school is something you want to investigate before investing (in this Marines humble opinion) lots of $ for some basic knowledge.

As a certified advanced tracker from his school, I can attest that he taught less then 10% of the courses and I learned little at cost of over 900$ a week. Understand that I read his first book in 1983.

And if mom will forgive my opinion the prophet is now more interested in The Profit.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Wolves #11379

Scott

I would consider yourself fortunate to hear them howl–if you see one you are one with the wild. Now if you live in the bush in AK and have sled dogs then you may not have the same feeling.

Wolves like the Great bear white or brown speak of the wild we embrace. They are hunters just like you and me–to share the terrain with them is an honor.

I carry a side arm in the city and on this latest trip, never felt the need to carry one (well outside deployments) in the wild. And that includes AK during the salmon run just be bear smart and if your wrong–what a heck of a way to go–be a great post here.:D

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Winter Rove #11346

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=dwcphoto]…Steve, what am I missing?? I’ve seen guys say this is a buck and this is a doe, but could never see the difference. Actually, I think there’s a joke in there I’m missing, too…

dwc

Joke it was… Just observing that when a doe pees, it sprays. When a buck pees, it drills down straight to the ground 🙄

Intermittent connections but on tonight to catch up and couldn’t let this one pass without some comment.

Actually sex differences in tracks is usually established by a few methods–straddle width, impression depth of front tracks when antlers are on, and what I call gisas, general impression, size, and shape–kinda of the same thing you use to ID birds in flight or bad guy airplanes or tanks.

Straddle width involves using a tracking stick to measure and after years of observation determining in your area what it is for does and bucks–does will be wider due to the pelvic girdle. As some of you will understand this type of knowledge requires observing the animal first then moving in for measurements. I’m sure Clay can add some more details but Dave it ain’t a joke–not only can you assign sex to a track an experienced tracker can tell you what the deer was thinking and when and where it turned it’s head and when it knew you where looking at it.

Fun stuff and best idea you can think of to spend more time out there.

Traveling and tired

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #63193

Grumps

Now that’s what I call a good scout report:D. Speaking of the Burma Road I just picked up today “Defeat Into Victory” Field Marshal Viscount Slim–just released again after first in 1957. I don’t normally read books about war ( a life time of it was enough) nor those written by Generals, but this one on initial first chapters is a winner–you might want to check it out given your family connection.

Bruce

Actually it warmed to the 70’s today, this morning beach walk/run was in fleece:shock: Haven’t worn shorts except for 2 days in Key West–to cold even there. No pictures yet as the search continues–well, there are a lot of pics but by now they all run together. If you have ever been Boat/Trawler shopping it’s an event in itself–nice if you have lots of money but when your on our budget it is a challenge8).

Time to get off so Lin can answer all those e-mails:P

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #63169

Rick—What flat earth theory–it is, we have almost driven far enough to fall off—but the dragons alert us and we turn back.

Yes the beach is one of those “benies” Linda loves it as we are walking the dog and all the Marines address me as sir–she asks how do they know your a Col.? I respond, they don’t but I’m old,I limp, and I’m bald–what else would they use to acknowledge the obvious sage among them.:shock:

Tomorrow we have a visit from one of our young hero’s whose father was one of my officers and Scott is now with the Marine Special Operations Command–he was 10 years old last we saw him and now a Capt. 2 tours in Afghanistan purple heart and silver star.

Nice to hear your weather is improving–we actually (on advice) had the house water pipes drained and anti-freeze injected–it was -9 when we left W MD 3+ weeks ago.

A note for all you “gear” folks out there–went to PX today,amazed at the quality of field/camping/hunting gear available and it’s all “issue” stuff–man I could have spent a bundle on stoves, water filters, knives, sleeping bags, bivvy tents, etc. Long story short I bought some green t-shirts and a 500 ft roll of 550 chord (the real stuff).:D

Good to read in the forum that you all are keeping the discussions going and Bruce is still killing us with those great pictures.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #63126

Linda, Goldie and I are in Camp Lejeune NC on Onslow beach. Will be in our seaside cabin for a couple of days. Weather warmed into the 70’s today with chilly nights. It appears we will have a weather window to head back to the mountains later this week—although Lin has her teeth into this boat search so future plans unsure.

Enjoyed catching up on all the posts today–Welcome to our new down under join–I trust he won’t be disappointed with the level of intellectual discourse here.

After some 3k miles of driving am just “watching the tide roll in and roll away again”.

Come on Spring!

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Fight the fat-cat land grabbers #59001

Don

Signed. Have shared some e-mails with Dave on our fight here in W.Md, trust he will share them with this informed tribe. I don’t have the techno knowledge at this position.

The fight continues

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Emergency Gear #58982

Still traveling with Lin in search of the perfect boat and connections are iffy–but got on tonight and couldn’t help responding to this discussion.

I will tell Bruce and Dave that I just chuckled over all that.

One time long ago in a far away place I did a patrol that lasted for over 4 months –gear was what you wore and your weapon and little else–most of the stuff was rotted off my body when it was over.And then followed a lengthy recon of the AK pipeline with Eskimo scouts via dogsled,helicopter,snow machine,ATV, and walking. In later years I carried the best stuff you could buy. And now I carry the least I can–some have asked–no gun–well I don’t need one. And I quit collecting stuff some time ago and enjoy a multi day hike with what I carry in my 1945 map case-some would call a possibles bag.

Now Bruce gives great gear reviews–I bought the bino’s he recommended and Dave has some great thoughts for consideration. Not sure what point I’m trying to make –except that we all have to make decisions before we head out–and for some us the less you carry the more you know.

Again– what a great site and discussion–more later when we weather this latest storm and try to get back for Turkey!:D

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #36228

Underway at 0700 this morning destination Key West. Last minute trip as a boat came in that fits our needs and is available, within budget. Headed down to check it out. Likely have limited internet access, will check back in a couple of weeks. -5 this morning will put as much southing on the van as possible today:D.

It is a “traditional trawler”:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Coursera site access #29369

Dave

Well said–makes you wonder if we will ever learn anything.

Here in W. MD we just finished the great coyote shoot off pictures in the paper and all. In our county the saying goes “if you ain’t hit a deer–you will”–the car repair garages don’t mind the business–good for the economy.

Finish week 2 tonight–good course.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Howdy #26676

David

Welcome aboard! Enjoy the campfire–lots of information, and camaraderie.

Enjoy:D

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: New KME knife sharpener #25400

Bruce

x3 what they said. I had the pleasure of two lessons with Ron at ETAR learned more about sharpening then I ever knew what I didn’t know. I got his new jaw’s for broad heads– not required to do the job but they do make it easier.

Like Doc said any questions just give Ron a call–he is fun to talk with.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Bison and bunnies #20971

Dave

Like you said during the trip this past spring–if the free grazers beef went away we wouldn’t even notice it. So for 2.7% of the nations beef–we spend a billion$. Makes you wonder when us taxpayers are gonna beef!:evil:

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: The Endless Loop #20966

Endless loop is where I believe this thread is headed:D:shock:

Mike

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