December 2

From the new Madison Rd. trailhead, I begin my early morning hike on the Campground Trail at Lumberjack Park. A chilly north wind, overcast skies and a temperature of 34 degrees surround me as I make my way north along the bank of the Pine River where the wooded landscape is blanketed with a thick layer of leaf litter. Immediately, my attention is drawn to evidence of recent Beaver activity including gnawed stumps and downed trees. The only part of the tree they eat for nutrition is the inner layer of the bark, called the cambium layer. Beavers are the lumberjacks of the rodent world. They use their tree-chopping skills (stock photo)to gather wood for constructing lodges and dams, and in the process, eat or gather some for food or storage (stock photo). They prefer softwoods including aspen, cottonwood, willow and dogwood, but will also gnaw on hardwoods to sharpen their continuously growing teeth. A beaver is specially equipped to rapidly chop down trees and branches. His dark orange incisors (stock photo) are softer and wear down more quickly on the back than the front, resulting in beveled teeth that are ideal for slicing through wood and stripping away bark. Continuing on the Campground Trail, I notice a scattering of Christmas Ferns poking through the leaf litter as well as a recently toppled tree due to Pileated Woodpecker activity. Next, I pause at the edge of the swollen river to take in the riparian sights and sounds. Continuing west, I reach Lumberjack Rd., cross the bridge and turn east onto the Riverview Trail where I stop to notice leaves of a Beech tree swaying with the wind. Continuing along the high riverbank, I pause again to observe the water flowing west to east. Just ahead, I’m surprised to see more beaver activity. Turning northeast through a corridor of tall pines I spot a buck rub and a decayed log covered with fresh Oyster fungi. Moving along, I join up with the Mud Creek Trail, veer to the southeast and come to the bridge over Mud Creek. Crossing the bridge, I make my way along the creek, cross the boardwalk and finally circle the Sugar Maple Trail back to the car just in time to see a few patches of blue sky through the open canopy.

Season to hunt

Season to kill

Seeking quarry

Seeking a thrill

Lethal weapon

Bullets release

Finding their mark

Ending the peace

Preserving life

Is not the plan

Trophy buck

Pleasure of man

D. DeGraaf