Way Back When - Memories From My Past
26/09/2008 09:13
I can clearly remember my first ever encounter with a badger.
It was in the 50s and I was likely about 12 years old. We were at my granddad's farm some 13 miles SW of Ponteix, SK and had just finished a picnic lunch with my family among the trees surrounding the old homestead he established there in 1914.
The old house had been converted into a granary and the old barn still stood, although it had a distinct lean to it.
I had my trusty Remington .22 calibre single shot bolt action rifle with me and took a walk out along the edge of the wheat field down to the coulee where I knew from past years visits, I would find some bottles for target practice. Dad always put some there as the coulee had a portion of it where it provided an embankment so spent rounds would harmlessly enter the side.
As I walked through that coulee to get to my position to set up some bottles, I heard a strange noise and came face to face with Mama badger and a couple of little ones.
She was NOT in any mood to have me visiting and I began a very slow back up with gun at the ready. Thank goodness she never charged or I would have had to change pants.
And I doubt that getting off one shot with a single shot .22 would have done much more than anger her more.
That day would be indelible on my psyche about the respect one must give wild animals to avoid becoming the victim of an attack.
I had chills up my spine as I walked the mile or so back to the homestead, looking over my shoulder every other step.
Anyone else have a memory from days of old to share?
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