Hey Hall of Fame Family,
I hope everyone is safe and well following the recent hurricane! This week's blog post is a bit light-hearted; I wanted to share some of the crazy wildlife encounters Paul and I have had while fishing. These stories are not of fish, but different animal species. I hope you enjoy!
The first animal I've experienced is a quite common one, and its probably my least favorite animal in the world. I see these animals far too often for my liking... The goose. I can't tell you how many times I've been hissed and squawked at by one of these annoying, ugly birds. More than once, I've been fishing my way down a bank and accidentally walked up upon a nesting goose. I usually don't see them until they hiss and are about to charge at me. They poop everywhere and make a ton of noise. Geese are also incredibly territorial, especially around their young. I find it best to leave these rascals alone, whenever possible.
There are a couple other interesting birds I've seen while fishing. We fell asleep to the sounds of loon calls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and saw these massive, ostrich type birds on the banks of the Rum River. I think they were sandhill cranes, but believe me when I say these birds were huge. Google says sandhill cranes can get up to 5 feet tall, but these ones must've been 7 feet or so. Paul and I have seen sandpipers running down the beach in Mexico and pelicans flying around the Port of New Orleans. Another time in Rhode Island, I had to walk through a massive flock of seagulls to get to the area I wanted to fish... The smell was horrible.
One time as a child, my grandpa and I were fishing one of my favorite lakes, one that I consider to be my home lake. We were in a little row boat, and heard a noise in the tall grass on the bank. When we got closer to get a better look, we saw a mama deer giving birth on the side of the lake! I have also seen two or three deer swimming across that same lake.
This one is a little bizarre. Paul and I were fishing a local river that runs through a state park. This spot happens to be a popular swimming and hiking destination, as well. Paul and I were fishing a little ways down from the main swimming area, and we hear something fall out of a tree above us. This thing came crashing down into the water right near us. It was an iguana! It swam to the surface and then hastily swam across the river. We were confused at first, wondering what an iguana was doing in Missouri. We've since came to the conclusion that this was someone's pet that escaped or was released. After all, this is the same river in Missouri that an alligator was found in last year.
Another time, Paul and our friend Robby were fishing this neighborhood lake at night. It was very dark, and they were not using head lamps. Before they knew it, a skunk walked right past them. Miraculously they didn't get sprayed!
I've also caught and seen too many turtles to count while fishing. Everything from soft shells, to sea turtles, to box turtles, to snapping turtles... They aren't fun to catch, but sometimes nice to see.
Paul and I met some angry beavers in the Boundary Water Canoe Area, as well. Whenever we would paddle our canoe too close to their dam, they'd get mad and slap their tails on the water near us. It was kind of funny! Apparently beavers can be quite territorial, as well.
I hoped you enjoyed these short accounts of some of the wildlife Paul and I have seen out on the water. You never know what you'll see when fishing, which is part of why I love to do it!
As always, tight lines!
Erik Hoffman, Hall of Fame Outdoor Co