packin'

The question often comes up. Do you girls have a gun? The answer is always no and is always followed with a dramatic gasp of surprise. "you don't!?".

We'll no, we've really never needed one. only once to put down a very sick and dying sheep and for that I borrowed a 22 from a friend. I was pretty uncomfortable with it but the need was great and I had to step up to the plate. I do not regret it. But I returned the friends riffle and went about my business.

Things have changed. With the recent coyote attacks I've found myself in the defensive roll of protecting my livestock. Its my responsibility to keep my animals healthy, happy and also safe. I was loosing a lamb about every four days. This must stop. So over dinner one evening a friend offered to help me out. Doug and Jelena would come Saturday night and he would get up in the middle of the night and see if he could take care of the problem. He brought with him a coyote call, several riffles all with different scopes, power, range, etc. and went to work. He was unsuccessful but did see tons of coyote scat very close to the fence line along the pasture. He did see a bob cat. I saw one also in broad daylight crossing the road by the upper hay barn.

This has been the year for lessons, horseback riding and now riffle lessons and yes I'm balancing the barrel of the riffle on a blanket. The dang thing was so heavy and hard to keep on the target. I did well , I actually hit the target. He left me with his 22 to practice with (much lighter and easier to handle) and get comfortable with. He also left this blind. I can sit in it and wait for a coyote to come traipsing by and POW! Jelena and I getting loading instructions.

I never thought it would come to this. But the more reading I do on the subject the more I learn that protection is a team effort. Its not all just up to the dogs or the llama when things get to this point its time for the shepherd to step in. If your looking for me check in here.