FalconerKitty

This is a compelling story from one woman hunter who had a frightening experience with coyotes. http://www.womenhunters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1818:coyotes-quarry-when-the-huntress-becomes-the-hunted2&catid=31:compound-bows&Itemid=122

Again, look at the facts before you make up your mind. The proceedings were started by a falconer who also gun hunts pronghorns. When he x-rayed the carcass, and saw all of the lead fragments in the meat that he fed his family, he was concerned that he was harming his family. Also, look at this site: www.projectgutpile.blogspot.com. Started by gun hunters who worked with raptors and saw first hand the dangers of lead in the environment from spent ammunition and offal from field dressed game. I hunt, with guns, bows, hawks, hounds, terriers. Not everyone hunts with a firearm. Firearms manufacturers are seeing the big picture. They have already started to make non-toxic ammunition.

I hope you have looked at the video and read the conference proceedings and studies before you made your decision. Lead ammunition is causing secondary poisoning of our scavengers. Especially birds, which are more sensitive to lead poisoning than mammals. Birds have less 'sophisticated' livers than mammals. A compensation they have to be able to be light enough to fly. That is why they are extra sensitive to toxins. (Canary in the coal mine is the prime example). I have a good friend who is a competitive high powered rifle marksman. He is also a falconer and worked with a wildlife rehab center. When he saw the lead poisoning of our raptors and eagles from ingesting lead fragments from wounded game and offal from field dressing. He became convinced of the dangers of lead ammunition.

This video has a compelling argument regarding lead ammunition and it's effects on our wildlife. I only want to kill the animal I'm hunting, not have secondary poisoning of our eagles, vultures and other scavengers on the offal left behind. The Peregrine Fund held an important conference on lead ammunition and it's effects on non-target wildlife. The proceedings are on their website www.peregrinefund.org. Just read the lead precaution literature that is included with your gun service manual and you will see just how we need be extra cautious about the use of lead ammunition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZGQ8i8AwI

Here is a link to a sattelite phone rental. http://www.satellitephonestore.com/ I agree, a sattellite phone as a back up is a good idea. Wyoming is very remote, and places can be hard to get to. My cell service was non-existent after went from Casper to Jeffrey City. May be better now though. Snakes are more of a concern in the lower elevations, very few are found in the mountains, if at all. (too cold). I've found small western diamondbacks, but I did not do anything but let them be after looking at them. If you have never been there before, be prepared to be at higher elevations, make sure your areobic fitness is good and have good climbing fitness, (stair steps or incline intermittent treadmill wearing a backpack). You will be glad you hit the gym for the extra conditioning.

This article describes my philosophy of conservation. I joined the Florida Wildlife Federation when I found that they supported the take of peregrines for falconry after a 35 year hiatus. http://www.oxfordamerican.org/articles/2010/may/26/diane-roberts-greens-guns/

Filson, She Safari, Foxyhuntress (I really like She stuff) has smaller sizes. I'm tall, so finding things LONG ENOUGH is my big problem. Let us know how you like what you find.

I've found two of interest. The Mule by Kawasaki, 4010 4x4 Diesel. And the Husqvarna 4421D. The Honda sounds interesting too. What about Kubota? I want feed back on comfort (I will be in and out of the thing all day). Reliability,

I will be looking to purchase an off-road vehicle in the future. The vehicle would be sort of a like an ATV/golf cart combo. It will have a covered roof like a golf cart, but have beefier tires for rougher terrain. It will be used in getting around farming operations for pest bird abatement work with my hawks. (www.birdstrikeforce.com). I also will need a flat bed in the back for holding dog boxes. My husband strongly suggested that I stick with diesel engine power and I agree. So, I don't have to mess with the more nasty gasoline, and the safer diesel fuel is easier to manage. Let me know what is out there for my needs.

This is a series of stories that put hunters and trappers in a positive light. The ethical trapper who turned in the by-(accidental) catch of a golden in one of his traps, where the eagle was treated and released by the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (I've been there, (theraptorcenter.org). Considered world FINEST facility for treating birds and raptors. Vet students apply from all over the world to learn from them. Also the the two coyote hunters who diligently waited until skilled people could arrive and catch the golden with the injured sternum. Again treated and released by the Raptor Center. http://mn.audubon.org/news-events/golden-eagle-42-release

Making it pink did not get me interested in the outdoors. It was the appeal of the outdoors itself. The females who I saw had 'pink' everywhere in their lives were clueless, helpless ninnys, that I avoided (and still do) like the plaque. I like to go fishing, I did not hunt until I was a teenager. Became a falconer when I was a teen. I had decided that I was NOT going to be a helpless female. I learned how to use guns properly from an ex-marine sniper, I taught myself how to drive a standard transmission, use mirrors for backing up my dads 1971 4x4 1 ton Dodge truck. Learned to change a tire, change oil and lube the chassis in my own vehicles, check fluids. Not be a female victim of unscrupulous car repair shops. (They had better watch our for me there, I'm from 3 generations of auto mechanics) Use tools properly, Learn the basics of mechanical systems, such as heating and air conditioning, so I know what they are explaining to me when repairs are done. And definately NOT be afraid of bugs, spiders, mice, snakes, etc. Some things I'm limited because I'm simply not strong enough. Yet, I still do domestic things. I am a good cook, and enjoy sewing.

This site for women's hunting clothing offer a small number of pink casual wear items, and NO PINK TRIM THANK YOU!!! I have some of their shirts they fit well and are proportioned tall, with sleeves actually long enough for me. BTW: Their stuff is really good looking too, http://shesafari.com

Marisa Lee mentions that she is tall, like me. 5'10" So, she and I have the same problem with women's clothes, most are proportioned too short. She mentions in the article that she was pleasantly surprised when one brand (I don't remember which one) was long enough for her. Talls have much fewer choices in clothing. Go to any store, you will see petite and large sizes, but a tall section? I've not seen one yet. So, we end up buying men's clothing. When someone puts out a new line of women's hunting clothes, if they don't offer tall sizing, I just don't shop there. I say don't offer EVERYTHING for females with pink. Have a percentage in pink. I just have never been a 'girly girl' and never was attracted to the frilly stuff that my younger sister loved. I also strongly feel that guns should look like guns not like kids toys. The pink guns I feel is a really, really bad idea. When I first saw a pink .22 last year for little girls, I was appalled I felt that this is a cheap shot to get females interested.

I am a professional falconer. I'm expanding into the wildlife and bird abatement business using birds of prey. www.birdstrikeforce.com My educational business site is: www.birdsofprey.net

I've become really tired of the 'pink' stuff and trim in women's hunting gear. The most recent article on the 'Power of Pink' at www.womenhunters.com really shows how narrow minded the market is for women hunters. I don't wear pink, have always disliked the color avoided it and find that the ' make it pink' movement for females entering formerly male avocations is a huge turn off for me. Pink is for flowers, not in my wardrobe thank you. If there is pink on any of the hunting gear I look at, it goes back on the shelf. I will not buy it. In the fall issue of the International Hunter Education Association Journal (Vol 9, No 3, page 18, there is a fellow woman hunter (Marisa Lee) who also has the same distain for pink hunting stuff for women. Marketing people, listen to us. NOT ALL WOMEN ARE INFATUATED WITH THE COLOR PINK!!!!