TOPIC: New Member

4 prong

4 prong

porsche65 wrote:

I didn't pay close attention to the picture I posted. Although I wish it was a monster its just 2 4 prongs. I think its just how they were being held that makes it look that way. I will try to get another one put up because that one is very misleading.

Thanks for clearing my mistake! The photo is quite deceiving but I went back and blew the photo up again, I could see the two berry pods and stems from the two different plants. The last big boy I dug was a 6 prong in the National Forest back in the late 1990's. I am always hoping to find another such big Ginseng plant as once you have found one or more, it is in your nature to try to find more. Sort of like when you harvest your biggest Buck or biggest Turkey, you want to out do that accomplishment but sadly it hardly ever happens. Hey, at least you can hope!

By the way, I hope that this season has been generous to you!


Frank

Hello porsche65,
Welcome to the forum and that is a nice pile of roots you posted there. If I understood correctly, you are from Hancocke Co.? Would you happen to know Jerry and Linda Burke or their neighbor Billy that have a farm on top of Chestnut Ridge? We have some great get togethers over there and some great Blue Grass music in July. That's some fine ginseng growing country over there. I'm originally from Cocke, County and that's where I do most of my hunting. Maybe my wife and I will run into you one day.
Hugh

Thanks Frank I thought might should step back and maybe post more later lol I don't really have any stories to tell but I do have a question for all of you. Have you ever run into any dangerous wildlife while hunting or just got into a dangerous situation. I most always hunt alone and I don't mind hunting from dawn to dusk so I try to be cautious but as you all know its hard to not just get into that zone of scanning ground and digging. I do carry small gun (I have permit to carry concealed) but I have never needed it.

I myself, don't carry anything usually. We don't have many bear at all in our area and no hogs. I would consider it wise if we did though. I have had deer walk within twenty foot of me while digging so I know if something was trying, it could be on me fast.

Hillhopper

porsche65 wrote:

Thanks Frank I thought might should step back and maybe post more later lol I don't really have any stories to tell but I do have a question for all of you. Have you ever run into any dangerous wildlife while hunting or just got into a dangerous situation. I most always hunt alone and I don't mind hunting from dawn to dusk so I try to be cautious but as you all know its hard to not just get into that zone of scanning ground and digging. I do carry small gun (I have permit to carry concealed) but I have never needed it.

If you get around to reading many of the posts within Threads, you probably read it later but the answer is yes! I was charged by a Sow Black Bear with two Cubs on September 28th while Ginseng and Bow Hunting for Deer. Also, I was charged by a Sow that had two Cubs on another occasion in West Virginia while scouting for Wild Turkey and once had another Sow that had two Cubs come within 5 yards of me on an old logging road while Bow Hunting. I was backed up into a concave in the bank of the logging road and luckily for me, she never knew I was there! We found fresh Cougar (Mountain Lion) tracks in July on an old logging road in the South Cherokee National Forest where I Gold prospect. It was apparently following a sizable herd of Wild Boar that had rooted up much of the road. Seen a few snakes but only one Rattlesnake many, many years ago and I occasionally see a Coyote or two while in the woods either hunting Ginseng or game.


Frank

Hillhopper wrote:

Your right, we do live in a free country and your also mistaken as well. I myself am not married but I am taking into consideration the respectability of this forum. We have moderators on this forum to monitor activity and to uphold this site to what it is meant to be. Frankly, it's a little obscene.

I must say hill topper I agree 100% with you. It's not what this forum is about. But to each their own.

I have been reading the threads but had not seen any of this yet. I can't even imagine being charged by a bear. It sounds terrifying. I see lots more wildlife at my house than I have in woods so far and I hope it stays that way. There is a cougar that hangs around the house most every fall and even though he's a beautiful animal he's also very scary looking. I don't like to carry anything in the woods that will add extra weight but after reading all of this I may have to do some thinking about what gun I carry.

porsche65 wrote:

I have been reading the threads but had not seen any of this yet. I can't even imagine being charged by a bear. It sounds terrifying. I see lots more wildlife at my house than I have in woods so far and I hope it stays that way. There is a cougar that hangs around the house most every fall and even though he's a beautiful animal he's also very scary looking. I don't like to carry anything in the woods that will add extra weight but after reading all of this I may have to do some thinking about what gun I carry.

It is terrifying and the following is what I have done and recommend! Back away slowly once you believe there is going to be an encounter (i.e. a Black Bear Cub or Cubs see(s) you an quickly begins climbing a tree) as far as you can get before their mama or the Sow comes into sight. Also during this time, pull out anything you have for defense (i.e. pistol, knife, hatchet or other) and have it ready before she sees you. Once see is within sight, freeze and hold your' ground staring directly at her to confront her. Whatever you do, do not move or make a sound and be ready to shoot or strike her. She should stop the charge well before she gets to you and may charge and stop again and she will make an agressive huffing noise. Once she sees that you are willing to confront her and if she feels that you are not a threat to her Cubs, she will then turn, gather her Cubs and move on. Stay frozen in this spot in this posture not making a sound until she and her Cubs are well out of sight and hearing as well. Beware that if at anytime during the confrontation, you quickly back away or run, she will come after you and she will have the upper hand. By standing your' ground in the confrontation, you have the advantage of knowing when to shoot or strike her with whatever you have for defense! If you do not kill her but can land one or more damaging blows or shots to her head or even body, she will more than likely back away from you quickly. However, nothing is ever guaranteed in these type of situations, so you may have to adapt to what she does!

As for the Cougar, that is a completely different problem! You need to be armed with a fairly sized caliber pistol and other weapons if possible. When out, check out the trees, especially forks of trees and tree limbs as well as the terrain ahead, beside and behind of you with every step. Carry a tough and fairly big backpack on your' back so if the Cougar attacks from the rear, it can't do as much damage. Throw it off if possible by spinning around but if you can't, shove the barrel of the pistol backwards into it's face, neck or chest and shoot. If the Cougar attacks head-on, you should know when to shoot to insure a perfect hit on it.

I would recommend a .40 S&W, .41 Magnum or .44 Magnum if an when you decide to upgrade caliberwise and if you can handle the recoil. Otherwise, go with a .38 Special with heavy grained Hollow Point bullets.


Frank