Doug Dorer writes:

>On Thu, 10 Oct 1996, Janet Hardin wrote:

>> they respond, I suspect that brant feeding on or near shore in the spring
>> would spook as well. Considering hunting season is upon us (and historic
>> foraging areas available for brant are much reduced), I'd just like to urge
>> a little caution while approaching these birds. Thanks ;)

>I'll second that reminder for caution- one Christmas, I approached some
>brant on a sand bar in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts; I was getting fairly
>close when one was suddenly shot dead in front of me. There had been a
>hunter on the same sand bar- hiding behind some eel grass, I think- who
>never saw me, and I never noticed him. We were both too focused on the
>birds. He was extremely frightened by this, and sorry to upset me
>by shooting one of the subjects of my peaceful contemplation. We had this
>strange scene wherein he offered his apologies while his dog was dancing
>around my legs, flopping the bloody bird back and forth in its
>jaws...

>Anyway, I'd like to visit Nisqually again in the near future. I've
>been there a number of times, but never during the hunting season.
>What does that mean in practical terms? Should I just stay away, or would
>it actually be OK to go hike the long loop there?

The location of waterfowl hunters along the water edge is usually revealed
by the presence of decoys which do not have the same jizz as a real
bird... Seriously, the decoys are light and bob around in the water and
you can tell from quite a distance that they are not real birds once you
know what to watch for. The range on a shotgun is much, much less than a
rifle so I think that you are probable safer than a hiker during deer/elk
season.

Also, thank you Janet for the warning about approaching these birds. Some
will be flushed at quite a distance.

Ed Schulz
Everett, Wa
eschulz at eldec.com