what do you do to support your habit? Elk hunting

[The Doc]

I was a carpenter, framing finnish siding sub contractor
then 3 1/3 years ago i started a towing company. here is my towing web site , if you get bored check out some of the pictures on here.

www.browntowingidaho.com

[Freebird134]

I'm an ecologist at a university. But I pack shingles for my buddy to pay for my addiction. It keeps the wife happier not seeing dozens of hunting-related charges on the bank statement every month

[ElkNut1]

Yep, the ole Doc towed my wife & daughter one day as they were stranded in the canyon from Boise to McCall.

Brandon, what does an ecologist do?

ElkNut1

[Freebird134]

Well, at the moment an ecologist gets up at 5am to do his field work before the temperature rises to 105!!!!!!! A student and I are literally in the field now (it's break time! Thank god for mobile phone apps!). We have experimental plots in alfalfa fields, but the plots are too small to get heavy machinery inside. So I'm cutting alfalfa with a walk behind sickle mower and pitch forking it out so the flail chopper can get it. It sucks. 11 years of college and 4 degrees to cut alfalfa in the sun. And that's how I know the economy sucks!

Really, my research focuses on how environmental disturbance (biodiversity loss, invasive species, climate change, habitat loss) affects the way species interact in a food web. For example, say temperature increasing affects predators more than the herbivore prey. Does that mean that warming benefits herbivores, because it hurts predators (reducing predation), but ultimately has a negative effect on plants (over-consumption by herbivores). Most my work nOw is with agricultural pests, having implications for pest management in a changing climate.

[Freebird134]

At least I have some undergrads to do the worst of it

[ElkNut1]

Ahh, now I see where some of your thinking is coming from! (big grin) You're kinda torn between hunting critters & saving them at the same time! Nothing wrong with that but I now see how you think! (grin)

ElkNut1

[Freebird134]

You got it Paul! But really hunting is the reason I care about the environment at all. Bowhunting 54 and 46 growing up is what made me love the land and want to take care of it! I see no conflict: hunting is conservation.

[ElkNut1]

Nope, no conflict! But you do view things differently than nearly any elk hunter I know! It's like you have a compassion for the animals you hunt! That's a very unusual quality when mixing the two!

ElkNut1

[Freebird134]

It's like you have a compassion for the animals you hunt!

Hahaha.. Thanks?

[bugleemin]

I run an archery pro shop from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and change oil from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m..

[Freebird134]

I run an archery pro shop from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

does that actually support your habit, or just Add to it??!!

[bugleemin]

A little bit of both I am afraid.

[elkaholic]

I work at building furniture out of juniper. Fun to work with and is different.
www.junipercreekfurniture.com

Work on it for a couple hours in the morning and then head off to the day job.

[Freebird134]

Beautiful stuff elkaholic!!!! Where are you located (I see southern idaho)? Something like that could be a great present for the parents sometime (twin falls)!

[ctdad]

I'm a veterinarian working mostly on horses. Lots of after hour emergencies in my line of work, so I always tell myself that the money earned after hours (when I'd rather not be working) helps pay for gear, gadgets and time off to spend in the mountains.

[ElkNut1]

I lie to the wife, see it's easy! (grin)

ElkNut1

[Freebird134]

I lie to the wife, see it's easy! (grin)

ElkNut1

Whoa! Careful there Paul. You know they let women use the internet now, right?? She's liable to see that statement and you'll be in the doghouse!!!!!

[mtnmutt]

You guys crack me up.

Ah, sorry to say women lie too. Just an observation over the years. Yes, I am a woman, but I don't care for lying.

I hack computer code all day and sell my unwanted outdoor gear to buy more gear that I probably don't need.

[Freebird134]

First, women are on the internet. Now they are even members of hunting forums!!! Is there no refuge???

I hope you realize I am completely kidding

[ElkNut1]

Actually, I was just trying to brag! (grin) Heck, I can't get away with anything! (grin) If you guys knew my wife you'd be very jealous! She's the sort that rags on me for not buying things I need or really want! No kidding, she gets on me for not buying something!! (grin)

mtnmutt, good to see you here, feel free to keep these/us guys straight! (grin)

ElkNut1

[foxvalley]

Paul, My wife is the same way, how did we get so lucky?
I own and opererate a small taxidermy business,it will be 30 years come Jan. I also build handcrafted log homes, and I am a dealer for argo amphibious vehicles. All of which makes no money, so I sell drugs to support my elk habit.(just kidding)
Very impressive freebird,I had you pegged for some 16 year old punk kid.(It's still going to be hard for me not to pick on you.)

[Freebird134]

Paul, My wife is the same way, how did we get so lucky?
I own and opererate a small taxidermy business,it will be 30 years come Jan. I also build handcrafted log homes, and I am a dealer for argo amphibious vehicles. All of which makes no money, so I sell drugs to support my elk habit.(just kidding)
Very impressive freebird,I had you pegged for some 16 year old punk kid.(It's still going to be hard for me not to pick on you.)

Bring it on---I can take it.

I actually thought about taxidermy as a career in high school. I was licensed in Idaho. I mounted a mule deer in my dorm room at the University of Idaho. Rehydrated the cape in the communal shower. Some people didn't like that.

[foxvalley]

Paul, My wife is the same way, how did we get so lucky?
I own and opererate a small taxidermy business,it will be 30 years come Jan. I also build handcrafted log homes, and I am a dealer for argo amphibious vehicles. All of which makes no money, so I sell drugs to support my elk habit.(just kidding)
Very impressive freebird,I had you pegged for some 16 year old punk kid.(It's still going to be hard for me not to pick on you.)

Bring it on---I can take it.

I actually thought about taxidermy as a career in high school. I was licensed in Idaho. I mounted a mule deer in my dorm room at the University of Idaho. Rehydrated the cape in the communal shower. Some people didn't like that.

A little teasing and humor just make it more fun. Don't be afraid to shoot one across my bow if I ever give you the chance.
Ha! Love the cape thing. Being a taxidermist is a cool job,you get to see all the biggest trophys,get to write off all your hunting gear,and your "business trip" is heading to the mtns. for an elk hunt.

[mtnmutt]

First, women are on the internet. Now they are even members of hunting forums!!! Is there no refuge???

I hope you realize I am completely kidding

Yes!

I owe most of my archery/hunting mentoring to the guys like Paul and the guys here in CO. Thanks for passing it on.

I have no members of my family who are hunters. I stumbled into hunting when a friend dragged me out of bed at that hellish hour of 3:30 am to elk call for her 5 years ago. Did that for 3 yrs and then 2 years ago, I picked up a bow myself and now hunt by myself.

Why are elk so addicting? They really do need a 12 step program like a guy mentioned on the introduction thread.

[foxvalley]

Mtn.mutt..... I consider any woman that has any interest in elk,let alone an elk hunter a "mtn. maiden." I think it will be great to get a womans perspective on things on this site! Welcome, and don't be afraid to chime in with your insite.

[Peter]

My wife tells me, you better go hunting, might not be able tomorrow, she has gain much wisdon over the years. As Paul does, (grin)

[foxvalley]

My wife tells me, you better go hunting, might not be able tomorrow, she has gain much wisdon over the years. As Paul does, (grin)

My knees say the exact same thing to me!!!!!! (sucks getting old)

[Lefty]

I keep my wife happy

Otherwise I have a tight budget.

[pointysticks]

i am a civil engineer for california. here is one of my "offices" hehehe. great place for lunch.

[hornart]

I am a carpenter in New Mexico,,but I also work outside my regular job as a carpenter doing projects for other people,,been putting in over 90 hours a week lately,,my Vacation is my elk hunt in October,,I also get paid for it

[rjdumas]

Boiler Operator at the U of O. Work lots of OT on shift work to pay for my habit.

[dreamhunter]

I stand at the street corner by walmart with a sign.It says.... need money for elk hunting the kids are hungry again.

[BarW]

I drill oil wells down in Texas. Luckily I can make an extra week anytime I need money for a habit.

[Magic]

Wood-Mizer Portable Sawmill owner/sawyer: http://knotholesawmill.com/

[bullrub]

Public Works Director for small city in Or. My wife can't wait to get me out of the house for bow season. But really she is great, she is the one that is always asking me if I have everything I need. ( I'm pretty lucky). Sure hope she reads this post

[Freebird134]

Wood-Mizer Portable Sawmill owner/sawyer: http://knotholesawmill.com/

That's pretty cool!!!!

[one_elk]

The main thing I do to support my elk hunting habit is take my wife with me after 25 plus years of hunting elk and other critters together we have some great memories and have been able to live on wild game for most of the time we have been married. To put gas in the truck I put GPS units on critters and do various habitat analysis on the data they collect for me. If I say so myself I am pretty damn lucky or I am living my dream or something like that. Ok ok enough…

[bullrub]

You are one lucky dog one_elk.Good for you.