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roborob11 t1_j3lreyn wrote

My grandfather, who died in 1980 at 82, used to make quite a living trapping muskrat. We have pictures of him with 30 to 50 pelts strung up on the side of his garage. His story of coming up to one of his traps and finding a skunk 🦨 is moving. He talked to the skunk telling him that he was going to let him go. He released the skunk from the trap and the skunk walked away but then turned around and looked at him as if to say thanks for saving him. He never told the skunk that he was the one to set the trap.

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[deleted] t1_j3nr8rn wrote

[deleted]

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roborob11 t1_j3nuui0 wrote

No, but skunks rarely spray. If they are threatened then they will. But this one knew that he was being helped.

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Vaiiki t1_j3oa3zq wrote

I got sprayed by a skunk at like 4 AM while I was taking out my trash before work. I was a paramedic still at the time, so I called my dispatch to call out. The company I worked for was famously understaffed due to being cheap, so they threw a fit when I told them I couldn't work.

Now I live in the city, but I grew up in a salt marsh and still spend the overwhelming majority of weekends up in the hills in my cabin. I could not explain to this rude piece of shit that "the smell doesn't just go away if I shower and change my uniform. I probably won't even be able to come in the next day or two.

He didn't listen to me. So I said fuck it, conceded, went right to work, hopped on my ambulance, and was sent right the fuck home because I smelled so bad.

You all know I hunt and trap. But what the fuck do I know about being sprayed by a skunk.

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3sy3hp wrote

Oh no!! I hope you aren’t working for them anymore. What a trashy way to treat an employee. Additionally I hope you don’t have any more skunk encounters

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cheetofoot t1_j3ltiqo wrote

Flyfishing for trout, turkey and deer hunting. I'm not very good at the catching part, but I'm really good at the drinking coffee early in the morning and going for a nice walk in nature part.

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cwillm t1_j3m8e79 wrote

I love being in my blind during turkey season while its still dark and hearing the woods wake up.

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Rockdio t1_j3mhjfu wrote

That is probably the one thing I miss about going deer/turkey hunting with my dad. Going out so early that its still dark and you need a flashlight to see, and sitting in the blind hearing the world wake up around you.

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Ok-Dirt7287 t1_j3tffz7 wrote

Im curious if there is any good spots around Montpelier. You dont have to give away any secrets, but a general idea would be helpful. Im a broke outsider from Colorado trying to scratch my itch

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cheetofoot t1_j3tkh6d wrote

For which sport? Fwiw, get the fishing reports from the local fly shops, especially fly rod shop. Also the stream and brook guides fly fishing report is also good.

For the deer and turkey, check out the WMAs from the state. Also talk about it with everyone you meet, you never know who might have the private land hookup.

Sending broke young sportsman sympathies, been there!

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Ok-Dirt7287 t1_j3tmz3h wrote

Thank you!! Looking for fly fishing. I thought it would be more popular than it is in Vermont. But I hit the fly shop in Stowe and they were pretty helpful. Local knowledge is always the best.

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RoyalIndependence500 t1_j3tgofx wrote

Have you checked out Groton State Forest, about a 20 minute drive from Montpelier? It’s the largest state forest in Vermont with lots of variable habitat for all kinds of hunting.

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wandering_sam t1_j3luxas wrote

I hunt for mushrooms. Does that count??

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3pcvw2 wrote

Totally!! I should add foraging to the post. What’s your favorite kind of mushroom to find? What do you use it for?

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kn4v3VT t1_j3lnujj wrote

Grocery store salmon, caught a whopper the other night. Made for some delicious dinner.

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DipDap007 t1_j3lqjg7 wrote

I flyfish here and I once stumbled upon a doppelganger whilst out on the river.

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Cabin_Sandwich t1_j3m319x wrote

all the hunters around me seem to bag a lot of twisted tea and labatt blue.

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sorrycharlie88 t1_j3lol76 wrote

I hunt and trap. Favorite is trapping for coyotes because they're smart as hell and have great noses. Always a game of wits with them, and the suspense that builds every time you approach your traps never subsides. Close second is trapping beaver because it's the opposite in terms of difficulty but it's still just as fun. Plus beaver meat is delightful. I tan my skins and make hats and mittens and ideally more items in time.

Cool stories.... Well, depends what you think is cool. I think it's pretty cool trying to get an intelligent animal with a territory of hundreds to thousands of acres to step on a spot on the ground the size of a soda can lid. This year I had a multi day pissing match with a coyote who stepped and pissed all around a trap but because I mishandled the trap and got my scent on it he could smell it and avoid it. That to me is cool...and frustrating. I also think hunting them is cool, going out mid winter in the middle of the night and using mouth calls to mimic prey or other coyotes brings a different element to hunting than traditional deer or bear hunting.

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3lpnad wrote

Oh my god thats wild! I have so much respect for the trapping community of Vermont. I was lucky enough to talk to a local trapper while shadowing a warden who showed us all his gear and skins. It was absolutely fascinating!

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ceiffhikare t1_j3pjhb4 wrote

yeah they are SO worthy of respect for making an animal suffer in pain for hours or days even until the person gets around to checking the trap for any victims.

Trappers are *Edit: a special kind of heartless and empathically challenged human appearing creatures and should be subject to their own devices. it is a skill set that has little use in todays world.

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3sq7bg wrote

I can see judging by your first piece of text, you know very little about trapping laws. They are required to check every 24 hours and often do so more frequently, so it would not be days. I am happy to explain to you why conservation is important and why trapping, hunting and fishing isn’t cruel when done properly, if you’re willing to have an open mind about it.

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ceiffhikare t1_j3unygc wrote

Spare me the sermon on conservation, IDC and you would be wasting your energy. Not ever going to have a bit of respect for those sick SOB's who use this barbaric practice in this day and age. I could almost understand before we had the technology we have now and had to depend on the natural world for food and clothing but now? now you just want an excuse to torture animals.

Sick! That is the only word..printable that is , that i can use for you types.

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3xsr7w wrote

I understand you feel strongly, however I suggest doing some research before spewing hate at a community you know nothing about.

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ceiffhikare t1_j3y0f35 wrote

If a person takes an animal using these methods due to need of some resource it provides or to protect some other resource they have i can reluctantly accept the need for it. We dont live in that world any more, anything you can get from any trappable animal technology and society has produced a replacement for often superior to what you may have made yourself.

No what we are discussing here and you are advocating for is the use of these methods to take animals for nothing more than recreation, for 'sport'. You take pleasure from this despite knowing that you are inflicting torment on said creatures. According to the DSM that is one of the PRIME signs of having ASPD. I cant believe that im am the person to have to tell you that torturing animals for joy is a bad thing,lol.

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contrary-contrarian t1_j3lsbd3 wrote

Do you get any unintended animals in the traps? I'd be so worried about that.

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[deleted] t1_j3m7a6l wrote

A dog in VT was just killed in a trap last month, so it certainly does happen :( https://www.wcax.com/2022/12/26/vermont-woman-warning-others-after-her-dog-was-killed-trap/?outputType=amp

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TheBugHouse t1_j3n8u2g wrote

That was an illegal set.

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somedudevt t1_j3ouz49 wrote

Nothing mentions that they were walking the dog on their own land either, just that it was private and a place she has walked the dog before. So even if it wasn’t an illegal trap, if she was walking her dog on someone else land without a leash, then that is a risk outside of the trappers ability to control. Pets under proper supervision do not become victims of hunters.

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3syv6k wrote

You’re right. Theres a huge issue with people letting their dogs have free reign of property that doesn’t belong to them. Its unfortunate.

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nomadicbohunk t1_j3t9g48 wrote

Are their any furbuyers around VT? I'm aware of the prices. I'm going to start calling soon. I was wondering if anyone would buy coyotes or if I should just not shoot them because.

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sorrycharlie88 t1_j3tcu6q wrote

There are annual auctions, used to be two. Might be some traveling fur buyers around but I don't know. I only trap enough to tan on my own and make stuff so I haven't yet gotten into that aspect of it. From what I've read in the trappers post, coyotes are anticipated to be down this year, but it doesn't hurt trying or just holding until next year if they bounce back. On that note I highly recommend reading the trappers post. has lots of great articles, info and projections on markets, and state by state news. You get a subscription with the 25 dollar membership to the Vermont trappers association, which alone is helpful for the future of trapping here. They work with wardens and legislators, put on events, and teach the trapper Ed courses. They would also have more info on fur buyers so I'd reach out to them.

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DirtyBirdNJ t1_j3m61w5 wrote

I moved to Vermont a few years ago to escape the NYC / NJ commute and ski more.

What I did not expect to fall in love with is Lake Trout fishing. They fight hard, they are exceptionally exciting and fun to catch (when you can find em) and you can target them all year round as long as you have the right gear.

This past year I caught em from kayaks and also had an AMAZING day on the ice. I can try to tell stories but my YouTube videos do a much better job! Search for VT2U if you wanna see me pull a huge fish out of the ice by its tail, don't believe me just watch 😎

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Ruggervt14 t1_j3mexjk wrote

Also from NJ originally, and have found that lakers are my favorite species to catch up here by far! I love how they fight, and the challenge of figuring out what lures that will be effective for catching them.

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DirtyBirdNJ t1_j3mpox0 wrote

Vertical tube jig is my not so secret weapon. Few videos on my channel show what they look like if you haven't rigged one before.

I want to eat one this season but I'm a bitch about killing fish, I like letting them go. I feel like I failed as a fisherman if one dies while I'm unhooking. Makes me respect the fish I do harvest.

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nomadicbohunk t1_j3nkn8k wrote

I hunt and fish a lot and all over the place. A lot... I love to cook and will eat anything. I'll cook suckers...they're tasty. I know how to cook carp so it's delicious. Lake trout are just not that good. You're not missing out on much. The best way to eat them is when they're very little and steam them Chinese style or do a MN style lake boil. Even then they're meh.

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DirtyBirdNJ t1_j3nl6wp wrote

Haha I don't have high hopes for the taste of Lakers, it's a desire to better understand the fish, say that I've tried it etc. I just wanna try once.

I've heard really good things about the landlocked salmon and also whitefish are supposed to be tasty... those and walleye are high up on my harvest goals list

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nomadicbohunk t1_j3nmsd4 wrote

Whitefish are really good. People love walleye, but it's just really mild. I like northerns more. Along the same lines, I prefer haddock to cod. If that makes sense it's a good comparison. I haven't had land locked salmon.

I have to eat everything once. Whatever you do, don't grill the lake trout. I thought I had a really bad fish or something, so I did it again. Not good. I eat a lot of small panfish and usually catch and release anything else. But I try and eat things first just to see how they are.

I really, really, really want to catch a whitefish on champlain. I don't know if it will happen sans 4 wheeler. It sounds like you have to get far out there and get lucky.

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3syjqq wrote

I’ll give it a watch!! Sounds like some solid fun

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somedudevt t1_j3oquy0 wrote

Lakers are fun. And they are incredibly easy to catch on Champlain. It’s a bad thing for them honestly. Popularity of fishing them there has skyrocketed, and with it average size has dropped.

The inland lakes are more challenging for catching lakers. Much more rewarding getting a 20lb laker on a small lake than 100 10lb champ fish. It’s incredible seeing a 40 inch trout come out of a pond under 100 acres.

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likeahurricane t1_j3m3twk wrote

Hunt for turkey, deer, grouse. I prefer to fly fish but with young kids do a lot of worm bobbing out of my canoe for perch/panfish.

I hunted only a little bit growing up. It was something I really wanted to get into more after moving here. I was really lucky that the first place I rented in Roxbury, a neighbor took me under his wing and taught me a lot. I never killed anything with him, but after buying a place and moving, I killed a turkey on opening day of spring season by myself, and that fall, stalked and shot an 8 point 175lb deer on my own my property.

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GrubSprings t1_j3m307g wrote

I used to ice fish . . .

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cwillm t1_j3m8h9l wrote

I used to ice fish too. I still do, but I used to too :)

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GrubSprings t1_j3ma2h4 wrote

I will too, when there is more than 4 inches of ice. Maybe in the next few days but this year has been rough so far. Where do you go in washington county?

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cwillm t1_j3n466t wrote

Lake Elmore, Waterbury Reservoir, Wrightsville, Sodom and Adamant, Curtis pond. All over.

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GrubSprings t1_j460w04 wrote

Good news folks, yesterday I snuck in a fishing trip on what little safe ice there was before the rain started. Fried fish dinner!

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escobert t1_j3mzahl wrote

I don't, I don't like killing things along with my dad was never much of a hunter (farmer, no time) but once he did go out hunting. He parked his truck on some land my grandfather owned walked into the woods for 3 minutes and a 6 pointer came out 20 yards ahead of him and just stood there. He got it, the only deer he's ever shot as far as I'm aware. Never went hunting again.

​

Another one my grandfather always liked to tell was of one day when he was a boy he was home alone and looked out his bedroom window and there was a nice buck eating apples in the orchard. He pulled out my great grandfathers trusty Winchester repeater (I still have it) and shot the deer from his bedroom window. He always would end by saying not to tell his parents.

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hotpieismyking t1_j3nn7eg wrote

Every November I like to take my rifle or shotgun and go walking in the woods. The idea is I'm going to shoot me a big antlered buck, however, years later, I'm still just going for a nice walk in the woods...not very good at hunting, but I enjoy it!

(I get free tags as a disabled veteran, I probably wouldn't bother if I had to pay, cause I'm not that serious about it)

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aMac306 t1_j3p4yss wrote

It’s funny you say that. I love being outside, hiking, biking or paddling. I even do some real hunting, for squirrels because they are easier to butcher and less commitment, but it’s the traveling through nature I like best. Just seeing things, stopping to watch a while if there is a good meadow or big oak tree. I was on a bike ride this past week and my favorite parts were, seeing a big flick of probably 30 turkey, a nice buck crossing a meadow in the afternoon golden hour, seeing a turkey fly over the tree tops (turkeys generally run more then they fly) and seeing 3 does in the bushy hillside between two cornfields. It was like they just belonged there. Two were bedded and one standing. The long range phone picture doesn’t do it justice, but your imagination can fill in where the pixels lack.

https://preview.redd.it/d9lmvugg56ba1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=ac0b1d5b8e5db8643212cc16bac29a79134471ea

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After-Pack-5477 t1_j3m8ou0 wrote

Deer hunting near Granby and jumped something large in a stand of brush. Couldn't really see the body but the forelegs were visible and white and I thought to myself... "What's a horse doing way out here in the middle of nowhere?" What busted out of the brush was an adult cow moose. I was shocked as all moose I'd seen before had tan leggings. Seemed so unusual that it became a regular to recite when exchanging hunting tales. Fast-forward a few years and I'm watching a documentary on Alaskan moose and every single one they filmed had white leggings...

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cwillm t1_j3m89zo wrote

I've hunted deer, moose, small game, waterfowl, turkey in VT and have done my fair share of fishing.

Turkey is my favorite game to hunt because of how active the calling and "playing with the birds" is. Getting good at practicing calls, and hearing the responses based on the types of calls you give is always a lot of fun. Not to mention, turkey are pretty plentiful and there isn't nearly as much scouting involved as there is with deer.

Also, I grew up surfcasting and offshore saltwater fishing for stripers off Long Island but got really into fly fishing in the last 12 years that I've lived in VT. There is something quintessentially different about fly fishing compared to offshore. Even if I don't get a single bite, the rhythm of the moving water and flow of casting is much more zen than the comparatively high action of saltwater fishing. I prefer it of late.

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TheBugHouse t1_j3n90lh wrote

Pelagic bite was outstanding this fall off the island...

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WhatTheCluck802 t1_j3mr2q9 wrote

Deer and bear hunting. There’s absolutely nothing like it. Brings me so much peace and joy.

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Considion t1_j3mzvd4 wrote

Do you bear hunt without hounds? If so, I'd appreciate any tips you could give to someone starting out. I'd like to try, but I don't want to do it with dogs and it seems almost impossible in our terrain without either them or bait.

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TheBugHouse t1_j3n9wik wrote

I fully support hunting with dogs, but I don't run hounds. You can definitely bear hunt without them. Identify food sources and as the season goes on they'll feed quite often. Bear meat spoils far quicker than venison, I always plan on icing the carcass down unless it's really cold... but getting the hide off asap is key.

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totalhistoricalbabe t1_j3suzgs wrote

Besides ice fishing, my father used to hunt rabbit on snowshoe with his trained beagle dog. Family tradition passed down generations. He got a few deer, but we always had lots of rabbit! I’m an only daughter so, I’m sad to not carry this on.

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pv_punisher t1_j3n2swy wrote

Hunt and fish, my Son has his trappers certificate as well... I didn't grow up hunting but my family is/were avid fishermen and outdoorsmen. I was familiar with firearms and shooting (HS rifle team etc.) so it was a natural progression. I was bit by the bug about 15 years ago and haven't looked back. I absolutely love venison. Grouse is delicious as well. One of my favorite things to make is venison jalapeño poppers, as well as some fresh crappie through the ice for some woochuck surf and turf. Despite the warm winter so far I was able to get out ice fishing a few times in December. There is nothing quite like a Summer night grilling your deer along side of some veggies from the garden. A field to table experience really connects us to our true selves. I also take pride in the fact that Trappers, Hunters and Anglers are the absolute backbone of conservation in this country. If it wasn't for them wildlife as we know it wouldn't exist here, we owe them a debt of gratitude. I'm bothered by the demonization, especially of trappers, of these conservationists by people in order to push their agenda. We owe it to the animals to manage them, this includes trapping. I've got too many cool stories to write about here, lol... I was charged by a bear last year, that was pretty cool. But I think the best story started about 20 years ago. My little (at the time) cousin and I were hiking up the hill behind our family camp and came across a small memorial... a wooden cross with a .308 cartridge, spike horn and a jack knife wired to it. About 15 years later I'd all but forgotten about it and came across the spot while hunting and decided to sit a while. I killed my 1st buck ever about 10 minutes later. I've also taken 2 more in that same spot.

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MeHoyMinnYoyy t1_j3o7mza wrote

I hunt powder in the mountains but the population is extremely scarce these days :(

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3sz1vp wrote

I hope we’ll get some more soon you you can bag a good catch

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casewood123 t1_j3vphbf wrote

Love fishing for native brook trout in the backwoods.

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d-cent t1_j41g6vd wrote

I fish in the aspect that I cast a line so I have an excuse to hang out with friends

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-PineMarten OP t1_j465882 wrote

Nothing wrong with that! Fishing with friends is wonderful

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Broomepower t1_j3mil4f wrote

I do a lot of fishing and hunting in VT. I've got a YouTube channel "Fishermanthebest"

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OkNotice8600 t1_j3ofak6 wrote

I saw a short sided goat thing on the west side of mt. Mansfield. It was stumbling in a circle…

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-PineMarten OP t1_j3pcg51 wrote

Oh no! Maybe it had brainworm? That’s a common side effect

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OkNotice8600 t1_j3qeggc wrote

Nah, it has shorter legs on one side. It’s for stability on the hill side but is a pain otherwise. It’s called a wampfahophus or something.

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