Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Runners often get the chance to experience things that non-runners wouldn't come across. When you're out there running ten miles, you encounter some crazy stuff! In the case of seeing lots of wild animals, however, it is so common that it's typical.

One thing I have really noticed is how difficult it is to hunt for game that I encounter regularly while running. When I run, I see all kinds of game. Last Tuesday, I ran in the morning from my condo and saw around 30 deer, 2 pheasants, 2 great blue herons, countless ducks, and a large raccoon or a small bear (it was far up the road and the light wasn't good enough for me to tell which). This was all not that surprising (it is more surprising when they attack, as in the case of that psycho grouse).

However, what is surprising is how difficult it is to hunt for these animals, given their apparent abundance when I am running. I went out twice last week, once in search of pheasant and once in search of turkey. Naturally, I went hunting in locations where I had seen numerous birds while running, so I know they are plentiful in the area. Both times I spent 2-3 hours hunting and didn't even see the bird in question.

Then yesterday I was running again, and nearly had to shoo away a flock of turkeys that was blocking the road I was running down.

I have come to the conclusion that it's only hard to find a pheasant or a turkey when you're actually looking for one.

Of course, I could always try running with a shotgun.