Maine wildlife.. (Strong, Long Island: yard, kitchen, area)

[Zymer]

Pulled down the drive this evening, two deer grazing in the field, same ones that usually hang around. They looked up at me, then went back to grazing. Went out about 10 min later to get some wood for the stove, still there. Got the spotting scope and watched them for 20 min, with the dog on the porch too. They looked up once in a while to see what I was doing but they're pretty used to us now. Got the stove perked up, they were still there when I called the dog in a little while later.

[bwap_bonk]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Pulled down the drive this evening, two deer grazing in the field, same ones that usually hang around. They looked up at me, then went back to grazing. Went out about 10 min later to get some wood for the stove, still there. Got the spotting scope and watched them for 20 min, with the dog on the porch too. They looked up once in a while to see what I was doing but they're pretty used to us now. Got the stove perked up, they were still there when I called the dog in a little while later.

guess they know it isn't hunting season...

[MeiraV]

Possibly stupid question . . .

If one lives in rural Maine and one has children ages 6-14, does one ever kick them out the back door 1970's style and tell them to go play? In urban/suburban locales it is no longer done -- even by those of us who don't really believe our kids are going to be kidnapped at any moment -- simply because the judgement from other parents would be harsh.

And if one does this is rural Maine, is worrying about your kids being eaten by a bear any more likely than random kidnappings?

Thanks!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by MeiraV

Possibly stupid question . . .

If one lives in rural Maine and one has children ages 6-14, does one ever kick them out the back door 1970's style and tell them to go play?

Yes.

...And if one does this is rural Maine, is worrying about your kids being eaten by a bear any more likely than random kidnappings?

Being eaten by a herbivore bear or kidnapped?

I have lived in places where kidnappings were pretty commonplace, so were stabbings, and car-bombs. But here I think that any of those are extremely rare.

I think you would have a much higher risk of being struck by lightning, or being crushed by a meteor crashing to the ground, as compared to either bear 'attack' or kidnapping.

[MeiraV]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I think you would have a much higher risk of being struck by lightning, or being crushed by a meteor crashing to the ground, as compared to either bear 'attack' or kidnapping.

That's what I figured, but needed to double check. Prior we'd been considering Eastern Long Island, and I know there's not much besides deer out there . . . so the idea of 'really cool' animals wandering about is new to me.

[bwap_bonk]

Originally Posted by MeiraV

That's what I figured, but needed to double check. Prior we'd been considering Eastern Long Island, and I know there's not much besides deer out there . . . so the idea of 'really cool' animals wandering about is new to me.

there are dangerous animals all over long island, primarily humans. don't go there unless you like traffic and rude people.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by NS4Life

there are dangerous animals all over long island, primarily humans. don't go there unless you like traffic and rude people.

No..... Long Island in Casco Bay....no rude people, no traffic, a nice peaceful place to hang out for the summer.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by MeiraV

Possibly stupid question . . .

If one lives in rural Maine and one has children ages 6-14, does one ever kick them out the back door 1970's style and tell them to go play? In urban/suburban locales it is no longer done -- even by those of us who don't really believe our kids are going to be kidnapped at any moment -- simply because the judgement from other parents would be harsh.

And if one does this is rural Maine, is worrying about your kids being eaten by a bear any more likely than random kidnappings?

Thanks!

yep, you can still tell kids to go play

one thing ya just dont see and hear anymore (maybe it's a good thing) is a mother, with rollers on her head hollaring for her kids in the neighborhood, when its suppertime,,,, maybe thats an upside of a cell phone

[Maine Writer]

Bears are timid about humans. They don't want to see you, be near you or have any kind of interaction with you. Noisy kids will keep bears away. Don't keep trash in a can outside, clean the grill and bring in anything that smells like food.

Bears are mating now. Boars are roaming to look for sows in estrus. Sows and cubs have gone through family break up, the time when sows push two year olds away. The best chance of seeing a bear is now.

We saw a yearly moose Saturday. It's the most awkward animal I've ever seen. They're also going through family break up as the cows chase away last year's calves in preparation for this year's calves. Calves are being born now. I found tracks Saturday morning.

[MeiraV]

Ha!
Actually, I meant way out on the North Fork of eastern Long Island in New York. But you're right about the traffic and rude people. At least in the summer.