Jay Richards

Nicely done Mother Nature in the change of weather. Feels good sitting out in the woods getting numb. Cold temps freezing down the ground and should have some skateable ice on local ponds by Tuesday. Alaska is coming off the 4th coldest and snowiest September and October since record keeping started up there 104 years ago. That should translate to a cold and snowy rest of November for us. Record lows in Utah and Colorado last week with four feet fresh in Aspen highlands. A series of Pacific storms rolling off the coast early this week should set up West Yellowstone for the Festival. They are under the gun with ABR cranking things up tomorrow which is pretty cool to see. As mentioned above, think the rest of this month is going to be cold and snowy. Maybe warm again the first part of December but many comments lately how this summer and fall nearly identical to the 96-97 season which might not be good to Red River residents. Incredible acorn crop this year.



Jib checking out the new jumps on the bmx track.
The life of Kindergarten.


Colder temps means time to get the shorts out for Jens.No deer bagged this weekend but probably the most exciting opening weekend I have experienced. Was nice the temps dropped into the 20's with a little snow so it was easy to use the mountain bike for transportation. Almost fell asleep on Saturday in the stand, the wind was rocking me back and forth but after that, the action cranked up. Lots of wildlife with a beautiful mink spotted, fox, swans, geese and ducks flying around. Had a forkhorn come 30 yards away. Stopped, looked at me, watched it in the scope, then hear this noise and nice little six pointer comes from other direction and chases it. I was distracted by this I forgot about pulling trigger. Went out tonight near second and third last sections of singletrack where the acorns are thick and a nice big doe was walking a ridge. Kept an eye on it and then it takes off like crazy down into a pocket. Thought it picked up my scent but a big buck was chasing it in circles!! Pretty sure it is the same buck Jonell and I have seen crossing the goat ranch road this Fall. Anyways, quite the site. They settled down and watched them eat for about 15 mintues. The doe moved closer, lost sight of the buck. But then buck moved into distance and just froze for about 5 minutes. I was going crazy. Couldn't concentrate I was focusing so hard through the thick brush and pick a lane. Had about a dime size target but I missed.
No comments on Jake's excursions.
Quilting group over the weekend. One of the ladies made a grocery bag from a old t-shirt and gave it to Jonell. Even quilters who I look at as more old school have gone green. Super nice group.