We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:25:14 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:20:19 -0600 As for everybody being armed - well, maybe that's why we're all so polite to one another, generally.

Pavement polity is the rule here. Speed limit's scrupulously obeyed (if you round a blind corner too fast, you might waffle a pedestrian), the heavier vehicles will wave a smaller one through an intersection regardless of who's got the right-of-way, and a courtesy is always acknowledged with a wave.

Of course, everybody's also armed to the teeth....

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79701 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79701 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:13:54 -0600
I wouldn't expect  two cattle-farming or horse-pasturing neighbors to ask permission to come recapture an escaped animal (they might ask for help, though), and they'd probably even repair my fence, if it was knocked over by their critter.

There's no legitimate reason to be skulking about near the house or outbuildings - if you need to do that, I would expect a knock on the door - as when we recaptured our wayward goats who had taken up residence at a farm about a mile distant.

In the urban landscape, all property usually fails on the proximity question, though I let the neighbors know it was fine to pop in the backyard to recover a toy that had made it over the fence.  Just had to make sure the dogs knew everybody.

But setting up a tree stand is rather a different proposition.  Whether or not the guy can read a map or GPS or follow instructions or not - that 's a clear trespass, because of the intent.

Calling the sheriff...  I understand the logic of that, except what am I going to do if the guy says "Yeah, right, I'm hanging around for *that*!" and leaves?  Some of this is people testing me, and I'm sure the word is getting around, but calling in law enforcement for first time offenders, especially since I'm not going to apprehend anyone to hold them for the arrival of law enforcement for simple trespass, seems overkill.  Things would be different if we were experiencing a rash of rural crime or had a local meth lab problem, neither of which is currently extant.

Same thing goes for the mushroom hunters.

And there are a few people who just believe the world is their oyster and this whole private property thing is immoral.  But I haven't run into them yet.

As for everybody being armed - well, maybe that's why we're all so polite to one another, generally.  But, really, the key discriminators here are proximity, and intent as described by behavior.  The guy was hunting, not acting like a thief or worse.  I do take down  the license plates of vehicles that come up and park at the end of the road, thus far mostly to hunt the next parcxel, which has no public access other than our road, and try to make contact with people, just to let them know I'm paying attention, and make sure they have permission, and to let them know where our animals are.  And if they'll call the night before, we try to keep the dogs in, not always successfully, so as not to disturb the hunt.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79693 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79693 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:04:43 -0600
When he left, did he go to the store and steal candy bars?

When he got to the road where his vehicle was, did he take the truck parked next to his when he noticed that gas tank had more fuel?

How is this not a matter where you call the police for them to remove and cite the trespasser?

I keep trying to picture myself taking my book and chaise lounge to my neighbor's yard......or walking into someone's home and flipping through the cable channels while I sit on their temporarily unoccupied couch.......and it's not working.

So there's my, okay-your-trespasser-is-unethical point.

Next.....your trespasser is STUPID!  Isn't everyone out there armed - not necessarily like yourself....just a dozen or so weapons?]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79682 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79682 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:48:48 -0600 The parents would be in jail. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79668 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79668 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:49:09 -0600
One ride let me off inside the south end of the park, and I continued hitching north. Pretty soon a ranger (cop) came along and picked me up. He told me that firearms were strictly prohibited in the park. Then he smiled and asked me which gate I'd like to be thrown out at. So, I got a nice ride all the way up to the north gate so I could meet my friend in Gardiner.

When I was even younger I used to carry my Model 12 20 gauge across the handlebars of my bike which I rode on suburban roads in CT to go shoot skeet nearby most Fall Sundays.

Of course that was 45 years ago. What do you think would happen today if a 12 year old were to do that?
--Bill Smith]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79666 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79666 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:15:16 -0600 Now to make enough money and old & gray / senior enough to make it work.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79650 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79650 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:13:52 -0600
And, since I posted this post from the Castle - and do book reviews - your other criteria are met.

Well, except during the 1850's Kansas Living History Experience...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79646 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79646 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:52:51 -0600 I wish I could come and visit :o) 
We used to grow lots of veggies, chickens and even 2 pigs in our country house ('dacha') back in the USSR...
This has been my dream since I was a child, to have MY OWN land and the house and not to see the neighbors... I can somewhat cross the 'house'  from my list as I have my own place but I did not get to the land part yet...
Also, in case of the Obama's presidency, this would be just the perfect refuge...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79642 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79642 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:42:27 -0600
And Neffi's right- the absence of iron would be cause for alarm!]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79640 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79640 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:41:03 -0600
Or claymores... "I'm so lazy that I have setup some remote controlled mines around here so if a deer comes close I just need to press a switch *point somewhere* look there is one"

But nice place. I like backwoods as long as post -read books, games- and electricity & net is provided. Of course learning to actually cook would be useful.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79639 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79639 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:22:22 -0600
@Armorer, when I was growing up, this part of town was always considered "rural". There was a deep gravel pit not far from my house. The police would not hassle you if you were shooting into the pit. Don't forget we're talking more than 50 years ago. My Dad said, "Runt, I want you to learn how to shoot." I said, "OK", My Mom and Dad went with me and the rifle to the pit. I figured my Dad was going to teach me and Mom was just going to watch. Wrong, Mom taught me how to shoot. She would set up the target and say the bull's eye, plus an hour on the watch face and then shoot it. I learned. My Father was teasing me one day and said, "I notice you don't argue with your Mother." I replied, "Old Man, you just don't argue with a woman who can shoot like that." My Mother gave a side glance and just chuckled.

I have been around guns since I was in fourth grade in school.  When I was in seventh grade, a developer bought the patch of woods across the street from our house. He took down most of the trees and left them in piles. This made great housing for the bay rat population. They came in and infested the area. The people living in the area complained to the city. Bay rats are big, you can stab them with a 5 tine pitch fork and have rat on both ends. Even the feral cats didn't touch these things. Well, the city police chief talked with my father about the issue. Dad came and talked with me, he was talking about the rat problem and us shooting the rats in the wood pile with .22 revolver. The people in the neighborhood were glad to see the rats dead, They were not going to cause any grief. To my surprise, the chief came back in a couple months, he called both Dad and I over to talk. He said, "I understand there has been an epidemic of 'lead poisoning' in the rat population. Keep it up." He then threw three boxes of shells. I was totally flabbergasted.

As I look at my life, I've seen some really tough times but I've some really good times, like when I get up in the morning and prove the doctor wrong.

Grumpy]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79638 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79638 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:14:58 -0600 ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79635 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79635 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:49:34 -0600
Like gnats, but smaller.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79632 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79632 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:37:44 -0600 And not one comment about the gun mounted on the deck rail...
*Absence* of said ironmongery would have been cause for comment...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79630 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79630 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:27:18 -0600
SWWBO has mastered the art of BBQ zen it seems, namely fun *after* the work not before.  Her hens will thank her doubt.

Grumpy you are one lucky man.  I just can't tell if it's good or bad luck quite yet.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79629 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79629 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:19:07 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79626 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79626 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:05:34 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79624 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79624 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:40:41 -0600
This one morning, I took my cup of black coffee outside on the deck. This was my first cup of the day and I was really looking forward to it. Now this pigeon was flying over and did not like my tastes in coffee, it decided I needed cream in my coffee. You got it, a "laser guided dump" into my cup of coffee. I started to get angry, but a split second later, a hawk killed that very same pigeon. I thought, finally, JUSTICE. The mug was a casualty, I knew, I could never get it clean enough. I just took a hammer, broke it and threw it into the trash.

There will always be the unwritten stories about places like this.

Grumpy]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79623 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79623 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:38:23 -0600
What a beautiful visita.  When can we come visit??? ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79615 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79615 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:32:04 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79611 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79611 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:19:03 -0600 And not one comment about the gun mounted on the deck rail... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79609 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79609 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:13:28 -0600
The Marine!Goth was trying to get leave to come home for bow season, but it looks like that's not going to be possible this year (and last year, he was hunting something other than white tail, if you get my drift ). 

I miss the venison.  And he'll have to find a new hunting ground next year as the friend of his dad's where he used to go has finally retired and sold his land.  (I drove by there the other day and about cried - the trees are gone and the subdivision flags have sprouted, but I can't blame the man, you have to do what you have to do.)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79606 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79606 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:05:46 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79604 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79604 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:55:40 -0600
Never had a snake in the house.  The chickens eat all the little ones in the yard.  No mice in the house, and Gunner gets the ones in the barn.

Not seen a rat anywhere.  Mosquitos haven't been a problem, have had some no-see-ums, though.

The spiders keep the rest of the bugs under control, and don't make themselves public.

The ladybugs, however...  they'll be everywhere until they go somnolent for the winter.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79600 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:21:12 -0600
I'm surprised how many impertinent visitors you seem to get.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79599 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79599 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:10:37 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79594 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79594 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:43 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79592 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79592 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:44:48 -0600 Beautiful parcel of land you got there, Boss. I'm sure gonna miss the Fall Colors this year. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79589 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79589 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:17:54 -0600
Before I was paralyzed I lived on 250 acres in south-east Ohio, plus leased 1000 acres on two sides from Mead Paper.  It was also the last house on a dead end road.  Nothing quite like the peace and serenity, especially when you can just barely see the smoke curling from your neighbors chimney -- about 3 miles away, straight line distance.  Except when uninvited guests were traversing the land.

My biggest issue was a fight with an off-road motorcycle/atv group.  They kept insisting that a county road crossed the middle of my land.  It took almost a year to prove to them that my property line, and not the middle, was the old -- abandoned -- county road.  In the meantime the damage they did was tremendous.

I never had much grief from hunters.  State land across the road from me, and it was pretty rural, so most hunted on their own land.  That and the GM Factory boys (men) from Dayton that came every year for deer season kept most at bay.

I did have an issue with a pack of feral dogs, for a while.  Until they chased my 3 legged doe down near the house.  She raised twins every year and ate near the house every morning.  The .243 did a right nice job on them.  Not that I like killing dogs, but this was a nasty bunch and needed the special attention.  Especially since my son (who was about 9) and his two cousins (roughly the same age) used to hike all over that property.

I can't wait to see the place first hand.


]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79585 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/10/the_pluses_and.html#comment-79585 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:46:14 -0600