Mountain Night Life

 
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Mountain Night Life

Mountain Night Life
by Pamela Murphy
I still laugh when I hear mountain night life. I guess I shouldn't because that is the one complaint you hear from city folk who settle here. "There's nothin' to doOOoo". Truth is there is a lot to do. You just have to appreciate the small things. You'd do well to teach your kids that. Turn off the propaganda tube for a while.

Catchin' Lightenin' Bugs.

Find a jar in the garbage and wash it out. Take the lid off of the jar and poke holes in it with a hammer and a nail. Tell the young ones not to touch the underside because it can be sharp. If they do, it'll probably be the last time. If not, you may have a bigger problem there. Moms I'd make some fun snacks ahead of time. Make a memory of it. Wait until just dusk. You'll see the lightenin' bugs. Use the lid to scoop them into the jar. Sit around; laugh, tell stories or whatever you want. Let the little buggers go before you go back in the house.

Nightcrawler Huntin'

Get a can from the garbage and put some dirt in it. Some one told me to sprinkle salt on the ground during the day or the night before. The night you choose to do this on should be a little warm. The night after a rain is perfect. Wait until dark. You need a good flashlight. Moms or dads can man the flashlight or an older child if you really don't need that flashlight. Shine the light around a little bit. You'll see a little bit of slime on the ground or a quick movement. They like to pop in as soon as the light hits them. The best huntin' is at the edge of the flashlight beam. The object of this night activity is to grab the worm before it can pop back into the hole. Oh yea, they look like big fishing worms. IF there are any markings on them or if they hiss, I'd let 'em be. Now go back in and pry the kids from the TV or video game. Have them dress in old clothes. The youngsters will love grabbing for the worms. Instruct them not to pull too hard on the nightcrawlers or they will tear them in half. A little squeeze will cause some of them to release their grip on the ground. Moms and dads if you think this is gross, let the kids be kids and keep your oooos to yourself. Actually they will enjoy getting muddy and slimy. It's a kid thing. If you are going to do the next night activity, put some more dirt on the worms and keep them in the fridge until the next night.

Night Fishin'

This is a fun family activity. Pack a cooler, some sweat shirts, lawn chairs and some blankets. Don't forget the toilet paper. (If you don't know what that is for, you'll find out. Mom, I have to poop) Scout out a good spot ahead of time. You'll find a good spot by looking at the shore lines of streams or lakes for where fires have been built or sticks in the shape of "y's" are stuck in the ground. Dads you can go to the local snack bar when the old timers are there and ask them about it. They will be very happy and flattered to share their stories and suggestions. Moms you can go ask too, but you'll get laughed at first before they tell you all of their fishin' secrets. Word of caution. Moms beware of the young old fart's who want to go show you their spot ahead of time. Wink, wink. Anyways…. Pack a cooler with some fun food and drinks. Roast marshmallows or hot dogs over the fire. Have fun with the kids. Fishin' sometimes isn't the most important part of this nighttime activity.


Coon Huntin'

I don't know a whole lot about this, but I'll tell you what I know. First of all you need good coon dogs. You want them to tree coons not catch skunks. You'll want a pick up with the cages built into the back. I bet you wondered what they were for. Or you can use the car, but I have to warn you hounds stink. Especially ones who have been out running in a huntin' frenzy, slobber flailing all over. (OK, who's sounding like a girl?) The object of this activity is for the dog to tree a coon. Oh yea, you'll need a flashlight to see the shining eyes to take aim. You want to make sure you are shooting a coon and not someone's petrified housecat. A clean shot where it won't hurt the pelt is best. Coon pelts don't pay much. Also, make sure your dog is immunized against rabies and you wear gloves so that no part of that coon's blood or saliva can get on you. I'd say a plastic bag is a good thing to have. That is the extent of my knowledge on this subject. I think some people use a case of beer for something, but I'm not sure.

*Editor's Note - Make dang shur them dawgs is kept caged at the ol homested to. Once they git a wiff of rabbit or a hankerin fur chasin em, they ain't gonna be wurth squat fur coon huntin!

Deer Spottin'

The first thing you need to know is there are times of the year when you aren't allowed to spot deer. During deer season is one of them especially if you have a rifle in the car. That's cheatin'. This can be a fun activity for the whole family and useful for those who want to find out where the big bucks are before huntin' season. A couple weeks before deer season is a good time. You need a good vehicle with lots of gas, with a cigarette lighter and you'll need a spot light. A big flashlight doesn't work. Scout out some good fields before hand. The old guys at the snack bar can help with this too. (Moms "come on I'll show you my huntin' spot" is a mountain pick up line) Now take the 44 out from under your seat because if the "bunny police" stop you, they'll take it. Ok you should be ready to load up the car with some blankets and snacks and the kids. Just drive slow along the road shining the spot light in the pre-selected fields. You won't be alone. There will be a lot of people out doing it. Spottin' someone's house, wife or teenaged daughter is considered bad mountain etiquette. State parks are a great place to spot if you just want to show the kids some deer. Oh by the way, make sure you turn the spot light off before you lay it on the seat. You'll have a burn spot on the seat before you wonder what that funny smell is.


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