Squeaky Wheel

The squeaky wheel gets oiled first. I guess I just don't complain about things enough.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/12/23/build/state/30-buffalo-elk.inc">FWP takes aim at hay-eating elk near Buffalo</a><br />n<br />nI read this article a few days ago and thought of a few things.<br />n<br />n1. Landowners don't let the public hunt and then complain that the wildlife are damaging their property. WAH!!! I really feel for them.<br />n<br />n2. Why can't the people whose hay is getting eaten fence the stacks off?<br />n<br />n3. I'd better go over and check the far stack of hay and see if any elk have been in it eating on it. They can make a hell of a mess of a stack of hay.<br />n<br />nSo, yesterday I went and checked the hay stack to see if there has been any elk around. Sure enough there is some damage to the hay from elk eating it. Not too bad and there is no fresh tracks so I think I will be okay. There is also lots of tracks in the snow where people have been hunting the elk. Fine, shoot them, I don't care, but I'm really thinking I am going to have to build an elk-proof fence around my stackyard to protect it. Looking at the stack I think it can wait until next year especially if the hunters keep the pressure up on the elk and keep them drove off.<br />n<br />nIf I whine enough will the state help me build this fence? Maybe they would but I have a little bit too much pride to beg to the state for a little money to protect my hay. I've invested a lot of money in it and if I want to protect it I will. I don't understand these people that whine about such things and just don't fix it themselves. Have some backbone and stand on your own two feet.<br />n<br />n<b>Take pride in exactly what it is you do and remember it's okay to fail as long as you don't give up. Dan O'Brien</b>