No Subject

Subject: [at-l] Porcupines 

Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 13:41:52 -0700 

X-MSMail-Priority: Normal 

X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1 

X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 

Sender: owner-at-l@backcountry.net 


<smaller>I have never in my LIFE seen a porcupine. (Well, except for on
TV, of course!)

</smaller>  

<smaller>Are they fast? Will I be safe, as long as I don't touch them?
Or, are they a hazard within a certain number of feet? Or, are they
really nice unless you tick them off? Or do they chase you?

</smaller>  

<smaller>Kristen

</smaller>

</excerpt><<<<<<<<

Fast? No! Interesting? Yes! Don't get where they can hit their tail
against you. Contrary to some old woodsmen's tales, they cannot 'throw'
their quills. They must actually strike you with their tail. I once drove
slowly along a country road parallel to one that was walking along the
shoulder of the road muttering all the way like a little old man talking
to himself. They will drag off and/or eat items that have salt from
deposits from human sweat. This includes boots, tool handles and the
like. If you're camping in porky territory keep your boots out of reach.
Hang them with your food. I once lived next to a State Reforestation
project that was infested with porcupines. I had to fence in my car at
night to keep them from eating the tires and other rubber parts within
reach. They chewed off 12 brake hoses in one summer. In the words of Dave
Barry "I'm not making this up", it's the truth. I know it was porkies. I
caught them at it several times.


Saunterer
* From the AT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

==============================================================================