Special Contributor Auntie H3llcat
…..TILL THE COWS COME HOME
Another Labor Day campout/fish fest has gone by; more like just a campout since the fish didn’t show up till the last day, but they weren’t the only ones to make an appearance! Saturday night we had rib steaks (a tradition while roughing it) after a crappy rainy day and I was looking towards the smoke trail coming off our grill when I spotted not one, not two, but THREE bears crossing the field (quite a ways out).
As they crossed our smoke trail they all stopped, put their noses to the air, looked at the source of the wonderous aroma (us) and headed that way. It became a race by then, momma in the lead with her two 2-3 year old cubs close behind. They came up to where the river crosses between us and the field (50 yards or so) and pulled up to reassess the bounty ahead.
Seeing no reason not to, they started to run towards the river (at this point it’s only about 2 feet deep) and directly at us. By this time all 8 of us were scrambling to get the dogs in cars and foodstuffs away from camp. I had grabbed my camera to get what pictures I could and as I turned back towards the bears I heard this rumbling and when I looked up all I saw were bear butts hightailing it outta there with about 20 angry, horned cows stampeding them away from us.
These are no ordinary dairy moo-cows. They’re a shaggy animal, huge, and both males and females have long horns. The bears were apparently in their dinner grazing spot and had to go. God Bless the Cattle!!! Not a picture or video was taken but what a memory! About 5 minutes after they chased the bears away they were all standing on the spot where the bears were, staring straight at all of us. Sort of got the feeling they were saying, “now….about those steaks we smelled……”!!!
Sunday dawned a better day, capped off by fish arriving in our river. My friend, Tena caught the first keeper (with a broken leg – who says Alaska girls aint tough?) followed by her husband, Jim. I had to return two days later to get my first blood, but hooray, the season has begun! REALLY looking forward to Sal and Hellcat’s visit in a few days. The bears will be here and the fish, although late, should be in their peak then. I’ll stand watch in the mean time…
Still here,
Auntie
Auntie
Tena
Bad Muh Fuh
Comments
Have safe trip! Looking forward to all the pictures.
What a crazy story,guess they really aint your regular dairy cows shiz. H3l you guys are in for a freaking trip arent you.. Safe passage both ways amigos. And it wasn’t me who said they weren’t tough damn..
wide open
Thanks for bad ass cows and good on ya for the first coho of the year. Those cows must be very nasty to turn three bears on a dime. It sounds like my kind of polace to fish. We are looking forward to the trip. See you in a few days. Sal
Well, I’m totally excited! I still need Brick’s info if he needs a pickup and couch. 56 1/2 hours and counting till you and Sal get here. On the way to the river yesterday I almost hit a bear with my truck. Ran right out in front of me. Then we got there and lo and behold…a bear in the fishing hole. Needless to say, I have a million bear pictures and can’t wait to introduce you to my new friends… Also, it’s cloudy today with chances of rain for the rest of the week. There’s hope for us yet.
Hey Auntie! I think Brennan comes in tomorrow around 4….OR not until the next day if he misses that one. He has your numbers. Luv you. C
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