High Water, Moose Blitz and....

Yesterday it rained and then it snowed. No, not the 10-20 inches forecast previously but several inches of the wet, heavy stuff; enough it seems to at least help the wildflowers, the sorry yard and allow our trees to breath a sigh of relief. No doubt a temporary delight but a much needed one nonetheless. Determined to not let the wind and promised big storm keep us at bay as had the previous couple days we packed a lunch, tossed the fishing gear in the truck and headed for the hills. Alas most of the time the hills were hidden in storm, the back roads a sea of mud, the little cricks we hoped to fish a bit too ripping and the wind chill such long johns never did become a burden. So instead a fishing we spent the day poking around...

 We found the upper Big Hole surprisingly snow free, though it did rain most of the time. As I've mentioned before the upper Big Hole moose herd has been devastated in recent years by wolves. To make a long story short, elk and deer migrate out of the valley to avoid the notorious harsh winters. That leaves cattle and moose for wolves to munch...Anyway where we used to expect seeing moose on a fairly regular basis these days spotting one is a real treat but...

 ...yesterday we found three. Look closely and you will see all are bulls. Two of the three are obviously sprouting first antlers but the one in the rear in the top photo is just as obviously larger and older though still several years short of trophy class. All three were living in a recovering burn (Mussigbrod Fire, 2000, eventually joined the Valley Complex Fires and torched over 200,000 acres) thick seedlings, acre upon acre of blown down trees doubtless no big deal for long-legged moose to negotiate might not be so hot for wolves. Maybe, just maybe, should FWP ever get handle on wolf numbers perhaps burns such as this will provide enough seed stock for the moose to make a full recovery...Probably a stretch but one can hope...Right.

Mule deer sign was heavy everywhere we hiked. While deer have been far less impacted by wolves here or anywhere I'm aware it's good to see them looking fat and happy following any winter...even the wussy one we just endured. Notice Mom is all but shed out, a sign won't be long until she runs junior off and starts tending another family (her other yearling was just a bit too far off to include in the family portrait).