Puddy is finally working

If you remember in the last post, I was a bit steamed that Puddy seems to be on welfare, rather than actively working to support the cause. (that would be replacing the food that she ate all last winter and this summer) Its all well and good that she does contribute, by anchoring Yogi's kills, but that just isn't enough. Things seemed to be looking up after the last flight when she actually got tired of waiting for Yogi to catch something for her, and she killed one of her own. Tonight was a repeat. I am smiling.

I have been having trouble with a bunch of deer that seem to be determined to dine on the hay that is stacked in the yard for the horse that Karen insists that we keep. They were here yesterday at 4 PM lined up and doing their best to get on the outside of as much of my hay that they could. I felt that a few loads of bird shot would be sufficient to move them elsewhere, but they are either thick skinned, or I need to get closer. I pelted them with a total of 8 shells, and I had to run them off with the quad. They also came back last night about 11 PM and I repeated the experience. I am going to have to up the ante on my aversion therapy I think.

Well when Tami and Reuben came over to hunt with us, they were back in creek bottom again. When we picked up the hawks we walked that way both to see if the Jacks were down there and to move the Deer off again. The Deer at least appeared to pay attention, but I don't think they went too far. My drive way alarm just went off, ( 11 PM ) and I went out to see if they were in the hay again, and one of them tore down the garden fence. He could have gone out of the gate, but no that would be too easy. %^*&#@^

We didn't see any rabbits at all in the bottom, so we moved back up on top. The rabbits were scarce, and while the girls got a few slips, all of them were from long range. (time to change fields) We finally got a decent slip and Puddy plowed into the jack after Yogi missed. Atta boy, girl!

 There are actually two hawks in that scrum, although there is only one head showing.

You can see from the photo that Puddy tore a hole in his guts on the first strike. Apparently the girl was serious for a change.

We actually didn't jump that many rabbits on this trip, and I was happy enough that Puddy seems to be on track, that I didn't mind. We wandered on back to the house in the fading light.