How do you deal with distractors?

[pd]

Another thread (thanks for the push, Phantom) got me to thinking. The set up on the other thread dealt with squirrels--you know, those rodents with bushy tails who just want to tell the entire forest: "There is this human over here, and he wants to kill Bullwinkle, so you all be aware, cause he's bad news..." I really, really hate these critters (only when I am hunting, otherwise I just love them

Seriously, when you are out in the woods, maybe doing a quiet stalk on a deer or an elk, or maybe you are in a stand or otherwise set up waiting for your prey, and some noisy animal comes along to bust you, what do you do? Do you throw a rock at it? Ignore it? More importantly, does the Big Mouth Rodent actually have an effect on your hunting success?

There are some critters that have a positive impact on hunting--in the woods of N. Idaho we always lookout for "grave robbers," which are a species of bird that tend to follow the elk around the mountains. The presence of those birds alert us to the potential for elk. But other than the grave robbers, most other critters just bother me. What do you guys do?

[zpd307]

I used to think that those pesky squirrels were letting everybody in the canyon know I was there. but after a few naps, in which I hadn't moved for awhile, I came to the conclusion that they just like to hear themselves talk, or to tell everybody else that they are there. I would like to hear you alls opinion....
could you tell more of these grave robbers please.

[Fridaythe13th]

The only thing I hate about squirrels, is that sure do like the seat on my tree stands, they chew them all up in no time. They must use them is there homes.

[Trophyhill]

Those chatter boxes don't bother me. They bark at everything including elk

[Swede]

Many times the squirrels are just chattering or going after one another. Sometimes they go silent as when a hawk of coyote is spotted. Sometimes they set off an alarm that tells every other squirrel in hearing distance that something is around they don't like.
One time I had to shut one up as it just would not shut up without my encouragement. Its constant complaining for about 45 minutes wore me out. One day also I had a bull coming in to the water hole where I was waiting. The bull was only about three step from where I could shoot him when a squirrel started his awful noise. The bull was already nervous as he approached the water. As soon as the squirrel started his chatter, the bull wheeled around and was gone.

[pd]

The bull was already nervous as he approached the water. As soon as the squirrel started his chatter, the bull wheeled around and was gone.

Aha! So the bushy critters actually have a negative impact on your hunt!?! So what to do? (We can't kill 'em all ) They really do bother me, and I would like to hear what you guys do.

[pd]

could you tell more of these grave robbers please.

I was afraid somebody would call me out on this one. I have to admit, I have always thought this an Old Wive's Tale, but I am not sure either way. I will have to do some research, and maybe start a new thread (I will call up the old codgers in the family, and get some straight talk for you).

Grave robbers (some people call them Camp Robbers) are a small-to-medium sized bird, grayish with a white head, that move in flocks of 1/2 dozen to a dozen. The elk hunters in the Idaho Panhandle (down to the Clearwater drainage) always tell you: "When you see grave robbers flying around, be alert! They are a tell-tale sign that elk are around." The tactic is to look in the air for the grave robbers, then look even harder for sign.

I have always been told grave robbers eat the fleas off the elk's cape, but I am not 100% sure about this. Paul M. is resident further south, and would surely know the veracity of this story.

[Olydog09]

The bull was already nervous as he approached the water. As soon as the squirrel started his chatter, the bull wheeled around and was gone.

Aha! So the bushy critters actually have a negative impact on your hunt!?! So what to do? (We can't kill 'em all ) They really do bother me, and I would like to hear what you guys do.

I usually try to stay still and ignore them until they ignore me. I have noticed that if they are barking at me and will not shut up if I concentrate on the squirrel and make stealthy moves towards it they usually move off a ways and then start hammering away again. Keep pushing them back 20 yards at a time and then go back to your spot. Sometimes it works but not usually.

[zpd307]

could you tell more of these grave robbers please.

I was afraid somebody would call me out on this one. I have to admit, I have always thought this an Old Wive's Tale, but I am not sure either way. I will have to do some research, and maybe start a new thread (I will call up the old codgers in the family, and get some straight talk for you).

Grave robbers (some people call them Camp Robbers) are a small-to-medium sized bird, grayish with a white head, that move in flocks of 1/2 dozen to a dozen. The elk hunters in the Idaho Panhandle (down to the Clearwater drainage) always tell you: "When you see grave robbers flying around, be alert! They are a tell-tale sign that elk are around." The tactic is to look in the air for the grave robbers, then look even harder for sign.

I have always been told grave robbers eat the fleas off the elk's cape, but I am not 100% sure about this. Paul M. is resident further south, and would surely know the veracity of this story.

I will be waiting.

[Swede]

The bird you refer to is a Grey Jay, also known as a Canada Jay, Whiskey Jack or a Camp Robber. I have never heard them referred to as a Grave Robber. I assume that is some local or personal term.
As far as dealing with the squirrel is concerned you either leave the area for awhile or kill the squirrel. I have no recommendations on that.

[pd]

The bird you refer to is a Grey Jay, also known as a Canada Jay, Whiskey Jack or a Camp Robber. I have never heard them referred to as a Grave Robber. I assume that is some local or personal term.
As far as dealing with the squirrel is concerned you either leave the area for awhile or kill the squirrel. I have no recommendations on that.

Thank you, Swede. I learn something new everyday.

Wikipedia has a great write up on the Grey Jay (Whiskey Jack, Camp Robber, whatever). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Jay

In particular, note the comment about eating deer ticks off the moose:

Gray Jays have been seen landing on moose (Alces alces) to remove and eat engorged winter deer ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) during April and May in Algonquin Provincial Park. Researchers also found a Gray Jay nest containing a brooding female, 3 hatchlings, and 3 warm, engorged winter deer ticks. Because the winter deer ticks were too large for the hatchlings to eat, it was hypothesized that the ticks may have served as "hot water bottles", keeping hatchlings warm when parents were away from the nest.[18]

[Swede]

PD: Now I just learned something too. thanks.

[WapitiTalk1]

Pine squirrels? They sound off at everything that moves in the forest. They are truly, nature's alarm system. The area I hunt in N ID has more of these little rats than anyplace I've ever hunted. You can't go 50 yards without setting them off. This said, I don't think they really affect or have blown any of my hunts there.... I do that all by myself In WA, they don't seem so widespread so I think their alarm barks may have more of an impact on my setups ("he's right here....I see him...bad guy....right below meee!"). So as Swede mentioned, a few of my pine squirrel encounters during a setup have, umm, been quieted. Camp Robbers? In WA, they are tame as wiener dogs. They will come into your camp and if you hold your hand up, land on it to receive a piece of bread. I think it's kinda cool they come that close to humans... until ..... you stop on a hunt, perhaps waiting for thermals to switch, or, set up in a cold calling setup. They swoop in out of nowhere.. Usually 3 to 6 in a pack. They're normally not that verbal, but, just the movement of them pinpointing my location is not a good thing for my hunt. If you don't zip your tent up before you go hunting, they'll go inside and seek out snacks. With birds seeking out snack comes accidental entrapment (holy heck, I'm trapped in this enclosure), and with entrapment comes fear, excitement, and panic and ultimately...... bird crap on your gear. Don't like them very much. Good thread pd.. I learned something from your link also.

[Ridgernr]

Oh the N Idaho "Timber tigers" those noisy little buggers can drive me crazy on a quiet day> I dont think they give my setup away, but they will cause me move out of the immediate area sometimes. It only takes 50 yards or so. Somedays I wish they would lose their annoying little chatter box. Note to others "Whatever you do don't shoot a blunted chicken arrow at one that is just right there on the side of that tree at 20 yards , It is great practice but hard on arrows"

[elk.addict]

If you don't zip your tent up before you go hunting, they'll go inside and seek out snacks. With birds seeking out snack comes accidental entrapment (holy heck, I'm trapped in this enclosure), and with entrapment comes fear, excitement, and panic and ultimately...... bird crap on your gear.

[elkmtngear]

If you have a fishing pole in camp...you can play "catch and release" with camp robbers. A slipknot in the line, and lay it out in a 12 inch circle with some breadcrumbs in the middle of it.

Doesn't usually take long, and it's fun when you snag one...like flying a kite!

[mtnmutt]

Last season, one squirrel dropped 20+ pine cones on my head. A record breaker. Previously, my max bombardment was 4 pine cones. Do not look up if you are under a tree with a squirrel, otherwise, your eye may get hit.

Not a camp robber in the below picture, but it is doing the same thing. The cow elk is getting annoyed.

Cow annoyed with bird

P1000479.jpeg (88.15 KiB) Viewed 7105 times

Bird on cow's back.

P1000481.jpeg (84.23 KiB) Viewed 7105 times

[ElkNut1]

mtnmutt, that's a very cool photo! Is it at your home?

p.s. those squirrels have rattled my patience more than once, I swear I've come very close to arrowing them in the past! (grin) I know those little buggers are telling the elk "he's right there, he's right there lookout" (grin)

ElkNut1

[G Posik]

I carry a flu-flu or two with small game heads. Shoot one of the tree rats and the rest go silent. I carry a small game license and use it.

Glenn

[mrganser]

I've been busted by coveys of Hungarian partridges on elk stalks before. They have scared me, but never seem to bother the elk when they've flown.

[mtnmutt]

mtnmutt, that's a very cool photo! Is it at your home?

Church in Estes Park, CO the first weekend in October,the weekend after the end of CO archery.

20 head elk herd hanging out in town with the herd bull bluff charging cars that got too close and of course the satellite bulls that got too close. Fun to watch. Easy place to hear elk sounds.

[ElkNut1]

Very cool, thanks! One of these days I want to make it to the Estes Park area in Sept, I hear it can be unreal & I'd love to experience it just once. You're very fortunate to have seen that type of un- harassed action. Thanks!

ElkNut1