The Woods

Leading the next fur renaissance? — Furbearer Conservation

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The Wily Coyote: Leading the next fur renaissance? — Furbearer Conservation

Let’s face it, the fur industry hasn’t been what it was decades ago. The decline in an American “fur boom” through the 1990’s has coincidentally coincided with an increase in wildlife conflict across North America; especially with one wild canid in particular. The coyote has managed to outlast and outwit mankind’s old-world attempts at eradication and broad-scale control. It has also been quite the topic of discussion from coast to coast over the last few years. Few critters can lay claim to the adaptability and resiliency the coyote has cast upon rural and urban America.

Solitude Doesn’t Bother Me Much.

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Apparently some people get quickly bored when they are alone. They can’t take extensive solitude. I’ve never felt that way, although like every human being, I do crave interaction with other humans from time to time. But I’m quite happy being alone in the wilderness, just enjoying my time without anybody else to set my schedule, or tell me what to do.

Buck Mountain in West Canada Wilderness

How will Coronavirus change my camping plans for this year?

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How will Coronavirus change my camping plans for this year? ⛺

There is a lot of unknowns about the Coronavirus and how it’s going to play out but I don’t expect major changes to my travel plans compared to other years. 💭

Simply said, when I’m wilderness camping I’m already quite self isolated and don’t necessarily interact with a lot of people except maybe when I visit the store 🏬 or get gas ⛽. But I still anticipate significant impacts on my summer plans…

  • I expect cheaper gas prices than I had originally budgeted for which will save me money 💵.
  • I’ll probably want to buy all of my groceries at once 🍏 close to home to minimize the time I’m in public at grocery stores.
  • Will public swimming 🏊 pools be closed? I might have to find alternative venues in the backcountry to cool off and go swimming in this summer.
  • If Coronavirus continues into the summer I should look at getting a box of latex gloves for pumping gas. 👋 While I’m no germahobe, I don’t want to get Coronavirus if I can avoid it. I have nitrile gloves for butchering game 🔪but they’re expensive and kind of nasty to burn (they produce trace amounts of cyanide gas) after they’re tossed.
  • I am still looking at getting a screened in tent 🎪 to use for extended camping trips, to provide more comfort on rainy days and during black fly season.
  • Does work from home 🏡 mean potentially I could work from camp using my smartphone and when I get a laptop with mobile internet? 📱 Interesting possibility. Maybe take two weeks camping at the Green Mountain National Forest? Why not!
  • Will there be greater demands for backcountry campsites ⛺, especially roadside sites should state campgrounds be closed this summer due to Coronavirus? Will this mean that more people will be competing for prime roadside sites? More litter and irresponsible campers in the back country? More law enforcement?
  • Will places like Moose River Plains and Piseco – Powley Road be on the cutting block 📉 due to reductions in state funding due to losses relating to the Coronavirus PAUSE? Does this mean gates will be locked or roads less maintained?