TRAVEL - A NIGHT IN KENYA

SOUNDS OF A KENYAN NIGHT
By Jim Foster

Standing at the window in the rock, i felt a cool breeze touch my face. The warmth of the day was giving way to the cool of the African night. The setting sun was creating mystical images on the distant clouds and mountains.

A rock hyrax moved effortlessly from one rock on the window ledge to another. Disturbing a large blue lizard with a very red head and shoulders.

The hyrax was searching for a nightspot while the lizard was just catching the last shards of warmth from the setting sun. Soon it would be dark in the valley below and on the kopje (hill) where I was to spend the night.

The setting was several hours after the evening meal in Meru National Park. The location was where the real Elsa of Born Free fame was released on the location of the lodge bearing her name ELSA’S KOPJE LODGE.

A large portion of the day had been spent along a dry riverbed watching and photographing a pride of lion moving and resting after a successful hunt. This fact was on my mind as I watched the sun disappear behind the hills.

In spite of being located on a steep rock wall overlooking the valley, the idea of not having a hard type window of some type of construction separating the room from the wildlife was a bit discomforting – especially when from the darkness of the valley below a male lion roared making a sound only a male lion can produce, telling all the area was his. This lion was answered quickly by another lion somewhat closer and off to the south.

Looking closer at the ledge I noticed the hyrax and lizard were nowhere to be seen. Below the thorny bushes and wooded grasslands stretched for miles down the valley to the river. The night creatures were beginning their hunts while the prey creatures became more aware and alert.

In addition to photographing lion there were cheetah, elephant, giraffe, oryx, hartebeest, and gazelle that had kept me busy during the day and now would keep me at my computer downloading my digital images and packaging my film for transport to Nairobi. As I worked the sounds of the night grew louder

The sounds of the lion did cause me to glance up several times from my work and some time later filled my dreams that night.

This was Africa.

Tomorrow would be another day driving to the town of Meru and later to the Samburu National Park and a visit to a Samburu village and it’s people.

But that’s another tale for another day of Kenya.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

HUNTING - ELK HUNTING - THE CALLING

CALLING ALL ELK
By Jim Foster

It’s nearly that time again when the mountains will be filled with the sound on a bull elk bugling to attract the cows. So it stands to reason that calling elk is a very productive method of finding and killing a good elk.

Before I go any further let me mention that I will be hunting in the Salmon region of Idaho with what is called a “green fields” tag for cow elk so attracting a large bull is a moot point – that is unless he brings several cows with him when he comes to a call. I think it’s worth a try.

A serious problem that Idaho elk have been facing for a few years is the introduction of the Gray Wolf in several of the Rocky Mountain States. In spite of what the “tree-hugging-tofu-eating-wolf-lovers” say the wolf is either killing or chasing the elk out of the country. A bad deal and a problem that the states must manage not the Feds.

So – how do you get close to your elk? The answer is readily available from the HUNTER’S SPECIALITES people. These are the same people who sponsored me when I competed in the Valley Land Fund Photo Contest sending me several of their pop-up blinds that helped me win a first place.

As for as elk hunters go I do rank way down the list but do consider myself as reasonably proficient with a cow call. Oh yes, I have had distant answers using a bugle call in the past but using it in a hunting situation is not on the hunt plan for this guy. However, there is a person who has been an expert elk hunter for years.

The man with the knowledge and many years of experience is Wayne Carlton. I met Wayne over a decade ago and have always found his advise sound and extremely helpful. My last visit with Wayne was at the grand opening of the new headquarters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Missoula, Montana.

Recognized as one of the top experts on elk hunting his words of wisdom are always well heeded and appreciated in hunting circles.

Now Hunter Specialties has produced a new CD with elk expert Wayne titled “ PRIMETIME BULLS 7-25” and takes in 25 years of elk hunting with Wayne. The CD is over two and a half hours of great hunting tips, and advice for elk hunters. Whether you hunt with bow, rifle, or black powder this CD will give you an edge up this year on your elk.

For more information or to order your copy go to; www.hunterspec.com and ask for CD # 70666. While you are on the sight look over their wide selection of other calls and hunting gear.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

JIM'S GEMS - A FRIEND HAS CHANGED WORLDS

CURLY BEAR WAGNER
By Jim Foster

“There is no death, only a change of worlds.” – Chief Seattle

During my life stories and recounts of how and where things happened have been important Especially during the early days of this country. The telling of a story is an art and one of the best has now experienced a change of worlds.

I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Curly Bear Wagner this past Thursday at the Browning hospital on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. He was in his 64th year.

Curly Bear worked to establish the “Native America Speaks” interpretive program at Glacier National Park and often presented the program to park visitors. This were where I first met curly Bear who had an ability to connect with his audience, especially children, who seemed drawn to his natural personality and stories from the elders of his people.

Wagner interviewed Blackfeet tribal elders, recording their stories, and worked to preserve sites considered sacred by the tribe.

“My family and tribe instilled in me a great love and respect for my culture. For over twenty-five years I have participated in Blackfeet ceremonies and rituals, most recently as a member of the traditional society of Crazy Dogs.” wrote Curly Bear.

Curly Bear was one of the Blackfeet leaders who worked to bring the remains of his and other nations remains back to where they belong from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Anyone who heard his stories and felt his love of the land and his people know what we have lost.

May his quiver always be full, his bow strong, his path be smooth, game be plentiful, and may he always walk with kind and gentle souls.

If you have news or comments about this or other articles Jim's Email is jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com