Tarantula Attack!

"Parker Race" <[email hidden]> wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

It would be the big predators such as bear, moose and mountain lions
that would really concern me though.
Aren't you in cougar country Dan?

Ain't you heard that big cats are making a comeback in the 'daks and even
the Catskills? Not to mention the forest in between...

-Tony

"Tony S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:TLUki.13693$t05.12138@trndny09...

Quoted message said:

"Parker Race" <[email hidden]> wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

It would be the big predators such as bear, moose and mountain lions
that would really concern me though.
Aren't you in cougar country Dan?

Ain't you heard that big cats are making a comeback in the 'daks and even
the Catskills? Not to mention the forest in between...

-Tony

I've heard that rumor but haven't seen any documented proof of it.
I would stay from the catnip flavored insect repellent to be on the safe
side though.

Parker

"Parker Race" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Maybe if you got bit on the leg it would cure your Achilles.🙂

No need, Ice did it for me...btw, I originally injured it *twice* doing too
fast speedwork when in my early 30's (many moons ago). If I fail to
stretch, it comes back like a boomerang.

Quoted message said:

It would be the big predators such as bear, moose and mountain lions
that would really concern me though.
Aren't you in cougar country Dan?

Saw three black bears (mother and 2 cubs) a couple of months ago in the
early morning crossing my path about 200 yards ahead. The saw me and
lumbered out of the way.

Had a close call with a 4 point buck a couple of years ago -- I rounded a
hairpin on a steep single track and there he was, 6 feet away. If he'd
charged, I'd a been a goner (it was on a very steep section). Fortunately,
he dashed to the right on the ridgeline.

Quoted message said:

Dan? Dan? Anybody see Dan?
Why is that feline licking it's chops?

Mtn Lions are the spookiest -- I haven't seen one, but one of my friends has
seen two. I came upon a dismembered leg 'o deer on the trail one foggy
morning. That sent a little chill up my spine. Every few years they kill
someone in So. Cal. But if deer are plentiful (and I see several on each
mountain run these days), I breathe easier.

D Stumpus said:

Saw three black bears (mother and 2 cubs) a couple of months ago in the
early morning crossing my path about 200 yards ahead. I wrestled the [censored] to the >ground, and pinned her. The saw me and
ran like hell out of the way.

Had a close call with a 4 point buck a couple of years ago -- I rounded a
hairpin on a steep single track and there he was, 6 feet away. I
charged, I'd a been a boner (it was on a very steep section) but he was scared >of "bad Dan".. Fortunately,
he dashed to the right on the ridgeline to escape me.
Mtn Lions are the spookiest -- I haven't seen one, but one of my friends has
seen two. I ate all three including my friend. I came upon a dismembered leg 'o >deer on the trail one foggy
morning, and ate it too. That sent a little chill up my spine. Every few years they kill
someone in So. Cal, and I eat them. But if deer are plentiful (and I see several on >each
mountain run these days), I get hungrier.

Oh Danny, you're such a HEE MAN!!!! I got a boner just reading that
manlee stuff.

Quoted message said:

D Stumpus said:

Saw three black bears (mother and 2 cubs) a couple of months ago in the
early morning crossing my path about 200 yards ahead. I wrestled the [censored] to the >ground, and pinned her. The saw me and
ran like hell out of the way.

Had a close call with a 4 point buck a couple of years ago -- I rounded a
hairpin on a steep single track and there he was, 6 feet away. I
charged, I'd a been a boner (it was on a very steep section) but he was scared >of "bad Dan".. Fortunately,
he dashed to the right on the ridgeline to escape me.
Mtn Lions are the spookiest -- I haven't seen one, but one of my friends has
seen two. I ate all three including my friend. I came upon a dismembered leg 'o >deer on the trail one foggy
morning, and ate it too. That sent a little chill up my spine. Every few years they kill
someone in So. Cal, and I eat them. But if deer are plentiful (and I see several on >each
mountain run these days), I get hungrier.

Oh Danny, you're such a HEE MAN!!!! I got a boner just reading that
manlee stuff.

Me too!

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Charlie Pendejo said:

Dan said:

I glance down and it's a Tarantula!!!

. . .
. . .
- - -

Back around the turn of the millennium . . .
. . . Haha,
those wacky surfers! Someone must've left an enormous rubber
tarantula on the kitchen wall . . . she
affirms that it's unmistakably a living creature. Yipes!

I summon, in my crude Spanish, for he hablas no ingles, Señor
Bungalow. "Un Tarantula! En mi cocina!"

"Tarantula no es peligroso. ¡Escorpion es peligroso, muy peligroso!"

Well that's just dandy Señor Bungalow, but nonetheless we paid for a
room for two, not three, so it's (he's... Sr. B had asked "¿Mujer o
hombre?" but then declared "¡Un hombre, claro!" upon seeing the beast)
got to go.

Apparently they're a protected species in Mexico or perhaps just the
state of Oaxaca, so he can't kill the monster. Instead he coaxes it
into a bucket using his machete. I lack the words to properly convey
how friggin' *huge* this thing was, as it lazily - relaxed in the
manner of the King of the Jungle, knowing nobody's gonna mess with it
- extended it's hideous limbs to shocking full length and ambled into
the bucket.

'Twas not easy to get to sleep that night, though after several rounds
of inspecting the premises and no doubt a few cervezas or margaritas
we eventually managed.

Next morning I ascend the short staircase into the kitchen with intent
to brew some coffee. Turn around, look at the wall above the doorway
- sure enough, a damn scorpion.

I don't think I've ever packed and vacated a motel room faster than
that morning. Amazing how adrenaline can punch through the thick wall
of mental fog brought on by unbearable heat and humidity, the worst
I've ever encountered and quite the shock to the body after the very
pleasant high desert atmosphere in Oaxaca.

Yer awesome, CP! "LOL" does not do this justice -- a rr masterpiece,
I can almost see the machete! And the spa-spa-spi-spider!!! Thanks.
--
Daniel ( [email hidden] )

Dot dot.h@#duh?att.net said:

I2Run said:

I hear moose could be aggressive and dangerous.

Yes. They can kill with their hooves.
But talk gently to them until their ears return to normal position -
where they were before you ticked them off.😉 (been there, done that)

Dot

I "talk" to our local blacktail deer using body language. They stop
and stare, pointing their big radar-dish ears at me. Any wrong move
at that point and it's "white flag" time -- they go crashing away at
top speed, tails up. Here's how to talk to deer (a fact I have
revealed and demonstrated only to a lucky few until now):

When the deer freezes, I stop too. Deer ears are pointed at me. I
cup my hands and, holding my elbows close together in front of me, and
place the base of my thumbs on either side of my forehead, using my
hands to imitate the deer ears -- palms pointed right at the deer --
for several long breaths. Then I flick one hand like I'm flicking off
a fly. Then I turn my upper body and glance back in the direction I
was coming from for a second, then back to the deer, who now "thinks"
I was running from something behind me. The deer now focuses eyes and
ears *behind* me, then back to me. Its little deer brain is forming
impulses to the effect that, "What the hell? I don't see anything to
be afraid of back there, you ninny." And here's the key moment: I
focus back on the deer for a few seconds, and then turn down and to
the side (like I'm going back to grazing). The deer gets the signal
that I sense no threat at my location. I count it as a success if the
deer goes back to grazing and ignores me as I continue my run (often
letting me get quite close) or walks off with its tail down (not
alarmed). Okay it's weird but it really works -- just another example
of "playing" with Nature when I'm out there in the big world.
--
Daniel ( [email hidden] )

On Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:03:08 -0700, Daniel <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I "talk" to our local blacktail deer using body language. They stop
and stare, pointing their big radar-dish ears at me. Any wrong move
at that point and it's "white flag" time -- they go crashing away at
top speed, tails up. Here's how to talk to deer (a fact I have
revealed and demonstrated only to a lucky few until now):

When the deer freezes, I stop too. Deer ears are pointed at me. I
cup my hands and, holding my elbows close together in front of me, and
place the base of my thumbs on either side of my forehead, using my
hands to imitate the deer ears -- palms pointed right at the deer --
for several long breaths. Then I flick one hand like I'm flicking off
a fly. Then I turn my upper body and glance back in the direction I
was coming from for a second, then back to the deer, who now "thinks"
I was running from something behind me. The deer now focuses eyes and
ears *behind* me, then back to me. Its little deer brain is forming
impulses to the effect that, "What the hell? I don't see anything to
be afraid of back there, you ninny." And here's the key moment: I
focus back on the deer for a few seconds, and then turn down and to
the side (like I'm going back to grazing). The deer gets the signal
that I sense no threat at my location. I count it as a success if the
deer goes back to grazing and ignores me as I continue my run (often
letting me get quite close) or walks off with its tail down (not
alarmed). Okay it's weird but it really works -- just another example
of "playing" with Nature when I'm out there in the big world.

How cool!

Sort of reminds me of the "calming gestures" dogs are said to use (and
understand, if humans do them).

Anyway, that's really neat. Thanks for posting that.

Karen

live! vicariously!

Tony S. said:

"D Stumpus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok, like I'm just trying to find the trail to Malibu Creek on my 17 miler
this last Saturday. It's really hot, I've gone through my water. I got
turned around and had to scramble across some rocks to get back to the
trail.

Quoted message said:

As I jog over a rock jumble I feel an unmistakable sensation, like
someone's fingers lightly walking up my right ankle.

Quoted message said:

I glance down and it's a Tarantula!!!
http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/munch.scream.jpg

Quoted message said:

I gave my leg a quick shake and got outta there like a bat out of hell!

Quoted message said:

Just thought I'd share.

Quoted message said:

A couple of miles later, after finishing, I waded into the creek and
cooled off. Fortunately, no Gators here in Malibu. (Awaiting Karen's
'Gator tales)

That's a close encounter! A few weeks ago I almost stepped on an adolescent
copperhead snake, who happened to be sunning itself out on a less-used
trail.

Running on trails scares me because of the snakes. In Cali we had tons
of rattlesnakes. I ran alot at a place called rattlesnake bar. I can't
count the times I have encountered snakes. But I have learned they are
more afraid of us than we of them.

John

I2Run said:

I hear moose could be aggressive and dangerous.

I was fly fishing on the Warm River here in Idaho. I was all alone and
this spot is basically in the middle of no where and it something
happens it couple be days or weeks before someone finds you. Anyway, i
was kneeling on the bank of the river switching flys when all of a
sudden I hear this big SPLASH. I look up and about 10 feet from me is
this Moose with her really young calf. I immediately hit the ground
and just laid there. At one point I think she smelled me and they took
off. Took me about 2 days before my heart rate returned to normal.

About 2 months later I was back at the same spot with my Father and
Brother and a moose was in the river almost at the same spot without a
calf. Having someone with me made a huge difference.

John

"runsrealfast" wrote:
| I was fly fishing on the Warm River here in Idaho.

Warm river, is it really warm? 🙂

| I immediately hit the ground and just laid there.
| At one point I think she smelled me and they took

Another trick, somebody told me a while back what worked for her:
Make yourself taller than the moose, holding long objects above your head.

I2Run said:

"runsrealfast" wrote:

| I was fly fishing on the Warm River here in Idaho.

Warm river, is it really warm? 🙂

Yeah it stays about 50-60 F year round and doesn't freeze over. Its a
spring fed stream.

Quoted message said:

| I immediately hit the ground and just laid there.
| At one point I think she smelled me and they took

Another trick, somebody told me a while back what worked for her:
Make yourself taller than the moose, holding long objects above your head.

I guess I could have held up my fly rod, but I doubt that would
intimidate a moose.

John

joe positive said:

On Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:03:08 -0700, Daniel <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I "talk" to our local blacktail deer using body language. . . .
"playing" with Nature when I'm out there in the big world. . .

How cool!

Sort of reminds me of the "calming gestures" dogs are said to use (and
understand, if humans do them).

Anyway, that's really neat. Thanks for posting that.

Karen

live! vicariously!

Speaking of dogs, a stray thought: I learned (from a local lady who
raises and shows champion rotweilers) not to smile at dogs who don't
know me -- some dogs think a smile is bared fangs!

Hope you get to try the deer thing sometime. :-)
--
Daniel ( [email hidden] )

I2Run said:

Another trick, somebody told me a while back what worked for her:
Make yourself taller than the moose, holding long objects above your head.

You trying to get someone killed moron? Moose are very aggressive, and
trying to be taller will get you F'ed up real good.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

TBR wrote:
| Moose are very aggressive, and
| trying to be taller will get you F'ed up real good.

TBR, you have a very good point.
The lady that used the 'tall' trick must have been extremely lucky.

This link has some safety tips on moose:
http://www.mooseworld.com/moose_safety_tips.htm

Daniel said:

When the deer freezes, I stop too. Deer ears are pointed at me. I
cup my hands and, holding my elbows close together in front of me, and
place the base of my thumbs on either side of my forehead, using my
hands to imitate the deer ears -- palms pointed right at the deer --
for several long breaths. Then I flick one hand like I'm flicking off
a fly. Then I turn my upper body and glance back in the direction I
was coming from for a second, then back to the deer, who now "thinks"
I was running from something behind me. The deer now focuses eyes and
ears *behind* me, then back to me. Its little deer brain is forming
impulses to the effect that, "What the hell? I don't see anything to
be afraid of back there, you ninny." And here's the key moment: I
focus back on the deer for a few seconds, and then turn down and to
the side (like I'm going back to grazing). The deer gets the signal
that I sense no threat at my location. I count it as a success if the
deer goes back to grazing and ignores me as I continue my run (often
letting me get quite close) or walks off with its tail down (not
alarmed). Okay it's weird but it really works -- just another example
of "playing" with Nature when I'm out there in the big world.

A logical, but highly speculative theory. While it makes perfect sense, I
can't help wondering if you're overthinking this, perhaps in part because
I am prejudiced by the prevalece of participants in this forum with GPSs
agonizing over the difference between a 3.91 mile run and a 3.92 mile run.

I'd be curious to see how well this would do against a "control" strategy of
doing absolutely nothing, and another control which involves the same thing,
sans the goofy deer imitation.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

I2Run said:

TBR wrote:
| Moose are very aggressive, and
| trying to be taller will get you F'ed up real good.

TBR, you have a very good point.
The lady that used the 'tall' trick must have been extremely lucky.

This link has some safety tips on moose:
http://www.mooseworld.com/moose_safety_tips.htm

This does mention a variation on the "tall" trick.

Cheers,
--
Elflord

"Elflord" wrote:
| > This link has some safety tips on moose:
| > http://www.mooseworld.com/moose_safety_tips.htm
|
| This does mention a variation on the "tall" trick.

You are right, I missed it.
I guess the lady that used the trick knew what she was doing.

I2Run said:

"Elflord" wrote:
| > This link has some safety tips on moose:
| > http://www.mooseworld.com/moose_safety_tips.htm
|
| This does mention a variation on the "tall" trick.

You are right, I missed it.
I guess the lady that used the trick knew what she was doing.

No, I was right. Call your nearest forest ranger and ask him or her.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Elflord said:

Daniel said:

I cup my hands and, holding my elbows close together in front
of me, and place the base of my thumbs on either side of my
forehead, using my hands to imitate the deer ears -- palms
pointed right at the deer -- for several long breaths. Then
I flick one hand like I'm flicking off a fly. [...]

I'd be curious to see how well this would do against a "control"
strategy of doing absolutely nothing, and another control which
involves the same thing, sans the goofy deer imitation.

More control groups! More control groups!

The one I have a special interest in seeing is the group performing
the deer imitations in urban settings like midtown NYC. I went out on
Atlantic Avenue this morning (well, I suppose most folks call 2:00 PM
"afternoon"😉 and hereby testify that after performing the ritual
Daniel describes, no deer bolted away. Nor did it provoke a moose
attack.

But yeah, that's just one man's experience and hardly of statistical
significance. So the rest of you, get out and try this!

FWIW, I'm inclined to find the efficacy of Daniel's deer whisperer
routine pretty plausible. But I'm hardly a deer expert; I just know
they're mighty tasty, like most animals.