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Homesteader

Reality

By Randy (TheShiftingBard)Published 4 years ago 3 min read
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Hunting season recently ended, and in one of the homesteader groups, someone posted about trapping a coyote. Trapping season is close to starting.

The strange thing about this is many could not tell difference between it and a Wolf. Other strange thing is how many complained about trapping it or thought it should been let go.

Few things on homesteading. Not every animal out there is your friend! Coyotes, raccoons, and others will kill your pets, animals, and harm you children.

For a homesteader or offgridder, that pelt is cash in the pocket or a warm coat or throw blanket. You also saved the life of a few of your chickens or that $200 calf in your pen.

Where there is 1 coyote you will find 1 or 2 more with it, up to a large pack of 10 or more. This is true with other predators in the area also. Other than coyotes, most of the other predators and nuisance creatures can be eaten. Coyotes are the only thing no one I have talked with can find a good recipe to cook.

All these other creatures furs can be used on, and all can be eaten. Skunk stew to a nice Bobcat roast. Season that porcupine up, and grill some skewers.

This makes for a great way to supplement your income, and your larder. Most animal parts can be used or sold. Skulls can be boiled, and cleaned. Pelts put up and sold or crafted into items. Meat smoked or made into jerky.

So remember protect what is yours from these creatures. Learn to identify them, and the habitats they like and hunt in. A large 45 lb coyote is a big difference from a young small 85 lb wolf. Look up into those trees, raccoons are not the only thing you might find in them.

Porcupines, possums, turkeys, can all be up in those trees along with a host of other creatures. That tall sagebrush or juniper tree, pay attention to it. Rattle snake is not always on the ground. Yes they can climb trees, like many other reptiles can.

In reality of everything, this should have been thought about beforehand. Long before starting this type of lifestyle up.

Having any type of small child or animal around means many of these creature could be lurking in the nearby shadows. Even a 35 lb bobcat can take a whitetail deer down... Coyotes have even attacked full grown people that have been out and alone.

All in all living off grid or homesteading is not as easy as everyone thinks. Having a good dog or some geese around could be an early warning system that you are being watched.

I'm sure a few are wondering, how does this guy know this? Well happens to be I have lived off grid with two young children. Nothing scarier then waking up in morning and finding tracks of a 150 lb cougar. They where less then a hundred yards from where we slept at.

Before the questions and doubts come. I am a hunter and a trapper so that is fairly close idea of its size. I always keep an eye out for fresh tracks and scat in an area. Like they say knowing is half the battle. Much rather know what I am sharing the land with then run into it by accident. Deterring or watching for a bear in the area is much different then watching for a cat in the area.

Cat in the area also means if ya hear what you think is a woman in pain scream at night, do not go looking for it. Odds are is that cat is trying to lure you out. So please educate yourself on what it takes to live this lifestyle. Also educate yourself ahead of time on type of animals that will be in the area. Think about how you might like to handle each one that could be there already.

wild animals
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About the Creator

Randy (TheShiftingBard)

Author, Gamer, and Designer. Brand name TheShiftingBard. Single father and outdoorsman who has spent some time traveling and exploring. Always a new place to explore or have an Adventure! https://trovo.live/s/TheShiftingBard streamer

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