Late March Snowshoe Trek
More Articles Related to BlogMarch 24th was a beautiful sunny day at Survival Topics. At -2° F (-19° C) with several feet of snow still on the ground I took advantage of perfect snowshoeing conditions to head out into the forest. As always, there is adventure to be found if only a person gets out there to make it happen.
Chaga Conk
Early into the hike I came upon a chaga conk attached to a yellow birch. For some reason in this forest the chagas tend to prefer yellow birches to paper birches. Rather than harvest the chaga then, I made a mental note of its location so that it remains fresh on the tree until needed. This helps prevent waste should I already have more than needed, an excellent survival strategy for any limited resource.
If you would like to obtain some chaga tinder fungus or take advantage of the great health benefits of chaga from the northern forest let me know and I can get you some. Shortly I will be offering high grade fresh chaga to Survival Topics readers on the survival supplies page.
Moose Tracks and Blood
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Chaga Birch Finding a chaga conk on a yellow birch tree in the Great Northwoods Chaga is also known as the true "tinder fungus" as well as one of the most potent anti-oxident tonics known to man |
Continuing on, I cut the fresh track of a young moose and its mother having difficulty walking in the deep snow. As you can see in the picture with each step the moose were sinking in deeply, “post holing” as it is often called. On snowshoes I easily walked upon the surface.
Even in this cold temperature the hot sun was melting the surface of the snow, but snow in the moose tracks remained solid. This indicated these moose tracks had been made just minutes earlier. It is likely the moose were disturbed due to my presence in the area.
Although rare, moose attacks do occur and an important survival skill in moose country is knowing how to protect yourself from them. Even in deep snow a 1200 pound moose can plow its way through thick forest brush much faster than a man can run so you have to be careful and alert when in moose country. The Survival Topic How to Survive a Moose Attack is required reading for anyone who ventures into the northern forest.
It was obvious the moose were having difficulties walking. With each laborious step they sank down several feet while I on my snowshoes more easily walked upon its surface. I decided to backtrack the prints, hoping to find where the moose had bedded down.
Sure enough, just a hundred feet from where I first met the tracks, I found the area where the moose had been bedding. Moose hair and fresh blood stained the white snow. I am not sure of the significance of the blood. This is the second time in three days I have seen evidence of blood dripping from a moose, the other where it had been standing in the snow.
It could be the moose are injuring their legs on logs buried in the deep snow as they plunge through it. Or perhaps a moose is more seriously injured, though if this were the case I might expect to find evidence of coyotes continually harassing it in hope of taking the great animal.
Yes, the outdoors is full of adventure. All you need is to go out and meet it.
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