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2000
We ran to get the camera to take a picture of the turkeys in the front
yard. Not unusual to see turkeys, but the
past few weeks between 35-40 are in each flock on Hur Hill. Local
sportsman say its because of the drought. The
spring rains did not kill the hatchlings, and they arrived in a world
filled with locust meals. Local reports say the
population is at an all-time high. They're everywhere, like the
deer. Deer have been trampling all over the fields,
yards and gardens this summer, a season that you generally don't spot
as many. Hunters say the food supply in
the woods is depleting and they're out in the fields foraging, and
crossing the roads, much like rutting season later
this fall. Much of the unusual activity may be linked to the
drought. There have been times that stream beds have
completely dried up for several miles, and wildlife is forced to
travel for a drink. Then there is a rather new
addition to our Calhoun landscape, the coyote. I spotted my first one
dashing across the primitive road last October
on Rattlesnake, between Joker and Little Creek Hill. Two of the
critters came out of Doyle Fork behind our house,
to visit the MacDonalds down on Barnes Run last fall. They fed from
the dog bowls, to be shot and killed. Bunt
Riggs from Hughes Fork and Wayne Riggs of Joker say they abound down
on the Little Kanawha River near
Bell's Ford and the mouth of Bee Creek. You can hear them howling from
Wayne's deck late at night. The
black bear keep increasing. The preacher (Rev. Brad McBee) had one
lumber across the road near Jake Kerby's
house on his way to preaching at Hur. Tink Starcher saw one in her
meadow and Dianne Weaver one on her well
road. Lexie Miller, before he passed, saw a "thirty foot bear" come
out of his holler. Another local fella saw one
up a tree out at Joker the other day. I've seen three or four while
ridge runnin' around Husk and Rattlesnake.
They wallered the grass into the mud under our favorite persimmon tree
last fall. There are plenty of rabbits,
squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, fox and you name it. Living things
are doing well so far this year, not to forget
the occasional sighting of a mountain lion and the wandering Emus, who
have entertained Calhoun folks this
summer. Just sittin' and watchin' is part of the quiet life here in
the backwoods. | 
