elkoholic Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 I may have one of the best drives anyone could have as they head to work. The scenery along Lake Koocanusa is super and when you throw in the wildlife along the way it can be even more interesting. Some examples from the past week. Most of the time I am not able to get pictures, but the sheep have been very cooperative. Over the past six months I have seen ermin, pine marten, fishers, five bobcats, multiple coyotes, a couple of wolves and a possible (no positive id) wolverine. Usual sightings include deer (whitetail and muledeer), elk, moose, bear, and turkey. Bald eagles are a fairly common sight and now their cousins, the osprey are back for the summer. Of course there are also the ducks and geese of various species, and assorted cranes and herons. Sometimes after arriving at work it is hard to go inside for the next 10+ hours, but then there is always that ride back home and one never knows what might be crossing the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy778 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Awesome drive to work there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 That's really cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Waaaaay cooler than my drive. I'm lucky to have a lot of countryside to go through on my 40 mile commute to work. Get to see lots of deer/coyotes and wild hogs on the way, but they're usually camera shy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Yup you folks in Montana definitely have a variety of wildlife to look at. I get excited that lately i've been seeing turkey's. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn8157 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Only thing to say about that drive is awesome, I'd never make it to work, I still turn around to look at deer and that's daily! Consider yourself blessed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 DANG!...With a drive like that I couldn't wait to get to work. I get to scare coons away from my trash when I leave and hope to see some whitetail along the way into NYC on my 38 mile commute. Those sheep must be like 10 years old or better! Thanks for sharing those pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 man are they beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 Great pics! Would love to have a drive into work like that. Back 6-7 years ago when I actually had more than a mile commute to work, had about a 15 mile drive to work on the Trans-Canada highway, used to see deer and coyotes quite often, some turkeys too. Then I switched dealers to the one in town here, cut my commute down to a 2 mile drive across our small town of 7500. Now I live on my own, same town and work at the same place, but I can see work out my living room window, now it's about an 1/8 mile walk to work. Do miss the drive in and home everyday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 i also get to see lots of wildlife when i drive to... well, i don't work. so i just drive. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted April 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 A few more sheep pictures from my drive. I am not an expert on sheep but this ram looks like he would be hard to pass up on a sheep hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SourthenILdeerhunter Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 i wouldnt make it to work fi i had to make that drive!!! and i dont think i would be able to pass up on that ram if i were sheep hunting!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINGMAN Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Beutiful pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterfowler Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 In the very first pic what are the sheep licking on the road? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I would definitely take that ram! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted May 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 In the very first pic what are the sheep licking on the road? The sheep (deer, elk and moose also) can not seem to get enough of the salt used over the winter for ice removal. Even the liquid ice melting prep is a salt form (usually magnesium) that the critters crave. One unfortunate result of this (along with the grass greening up along the highway first) is a resulting high mortality rate due to vehicle vs critter collisions. On this particular stretch of road there is not much traffic which is good for the sheep, etc.. On highway 200 between Thompson Falls and Plains there has been a drastic drop in the sheep population mainly due to vehicle collisions, with over 100 sheep being killed over the past several years and about half of that number being ewes. Just last week there was a collision there that killed five sheep. A lot of warning signs and people still drive 70+ mph and think the sheep will just get out of the way. I enjoy seeing the wildlife but you have to pay attention to keep from running into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterfowler Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 In the very first pic what are the sheep licking on the road? The sheep (deer, elk and moose also) can not seem to get enough of the salt used over the winter for ice removal. Even the liquid ice melting prep is a salt form (usually magnesium) that the critters crave. One unfortunate result of this (along with the grass greening up along the highway first) is a resulting high mortality rate due to vehicle vs critter collisions. On this particular stretch of road there is not much traffic which is good for the sheep, etc.. On highway 200 between Thompson Falls and Plains there has been a drastic drop in the sheep population mainly due to vehicle collisions, with over 100 sheep being killed over the past several years and about half of that number being ewes. Just last week there was a collision there that killed five sheep. A lot of warning signs and people still drive 70+ mph and think the sheep will just get out of the way. I enjoy seeing the wildlife but you have to pay attention to keep from running into them. wow i didnt think that they would just stand there and take it pretty much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 3, 2012 Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 Thanks for sharing those pics, very cool you they let you get their pics. Some real nice sheep there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deragoku Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I changed the dealer in a town, I am commuting is reduced to two miles away in our small town 7500. Now I live in my own, the same town, in the same place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 i am a sheep hunter. pull the trigger! A few more sheep pictures from my drive. I am not an expert on sheep but this ram looks like he would be hard to pass up on a sheep hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.