Larry Ellingson and Best Bet

 We crossed the White River yesterday going to Biscoe, AR where we picked up Best Bet, calling her BB.  She was born on Betty's birthday so we named her after the Missus!  She is out of Spud and Larry's Belle Starr!

Lee Moore and Sadie

Lee Moore and Sadie Bell showing his new dog box.  Sadie is on the right!

One Antler Deer From Carroll County, AR

Wayne The Ole Trapper

 Wayne Hawkins lives near Mineral Bluff, GA.  At one time he squirrel hunted a lot but he has not been able to much because of a severe back problem.   He has taken up trapping and sent some of the varmints he's secured.  Here is Wayne's take on the situation!

I been doing a little trapping and thought I would send you a few pictures of my catches.  I caught all these in the woods at my house.  I have been interested in trapping for years but never had time when I was working so now I'm giving it a whirl. Talked to a few old timers that trapped and they told me I was wasting my time I could not catch coyotes in leg hold traps they were to smart.  I talked to a feller that said he had been trying to catch one for two years and ain't caught one yet.  I caught 6 in one week once I got the hang of it and the right bait and lure.  Just a few that will not be eating fawns and baby turkeys.

 Also caught a few coons and opossums too and caught this one that only had one ear. Just your ordinary man can't catch a one eared opossum   HAHA

 

 Wayne

 One Eared 'Possum!

Lily and Lucy

 Cody Killingsworth called tonight telling us that he is thrilled with his two O pup--out of Opal and Oliver (Tie).  He sent some pictures by his phone.  He said they are both great hunters and promised photos in the woods.  The word he used to describe them was--FANTASTIC!  Thanks, Cody, for letting us see them again!

Shooter

This is Shooter taken the day he left Galla Creek for his new home in south Arkansas.  I have traveled there to visit him one time.

Scott County, AR

 The best hunting sites will be by a stream.  This one is in Scott County, AR.

Redneck Gun Safe

Saw this on Rimfire and had a chuckle.  Rimfire is a gun site.  I would invite you to visit.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php 

Bardenwerper's Riley

 Riley lives with the Bardenwerper family in alabama.  You can see she is living the 'life of Riley!'  Drew called this evening asking for a little treeing advice.  Riley's favorite seat is on the lap of the lab!

 Riley learns to not chase cars!

 Above is Riley with her prize.  Below the black dot on her nose is a snake bite!

 Drew, Ryan and Scott ready for a big day of hunting!

Scott County

We hunted in Scott County today and did not have much luck.  We will try a new location on our next hunt.

Meeting Matt Making Memories

 We are driving tomorrow to meet our Friend, Matt and go hunting.  Hope we do well.  I know we will be entertained because Matt is always a blast to be around!  We are taking Viper and maybe Opal.  Matt will have Rosco and one of his young females.

Eli in Connecticut

 I would title this one--In A Hole!  Eli is trying to get Mr. Bushy Tail out of his hiding place.  Eli lives in Connecticut with Al Larson!  I went hunting this afternoon and treed several late in the evening.  The squirrels were not stirring 'til almost dark.  Here is Al's message that came with the pictures.  Thanks for sharing, Al!

Hi Larry and Betty,we are having another tough season finding squirrels here in CT, there just aren't any nuts.There is a den in the crotch of this tree and as you can see Eli(Max X Sandy) really wanted the squirrel.I normally discourage him from climbing but  aside from a daytime possum this was the only action of the day.We'll keep trying!Take care-Al Larson

Facelift

 Gave the old chevy a facelift--new toolbox, side rails, and tailgate cover.  Looks better!  Also, got new rubber!

More to life than huntin' and fishin'

there's grandkids!  There is a reason they are called GRAND for they are!  I have two grandgirls playing basketball and going to watch them play is great entertainment!   

 Before the big rain, we could take the pups way down the side of the Lake.  These pups are Catfish and Macie. They are out of Spud and Sugar--Sugar goes back Old Rowdy and Belle.  These pups are 'on the move'.  They are what I called red ticked.  Catfish has red spots on his side and Macie is just ticked on the side.   They are pretty pups.  I am enjoying working with them.

Another Snow

 If your life turns as sour as lemon, make lemonade.  If you have another big snow day, make snow ice cream.  We are making the best of it as we are snowed in--again!

Cora On The Tree

 Cora on the tree in the woods near Galla Lake!    She runs loose while our other Feists are in kennels.  She is a little spoiled and thinks she is special....well, she is!  Cora is out of Tie and Bonnie Sue Parker.  When we do bred her the sire will be Spud.  She is two years old, very smart, and easy to handle.

Rain, Rain

 Lake and pond are full after our 48 hour rain.  I walked around the Lake yesterday morning and today I could not even get down the little road to the Lake.  This crane visited us on the pond and I took the photos from the kitchen with the zoom.

January is half over and we are dreaming of spring and planting garden.  Will not be long.

Tucker Fights A Bear

Cindy and Paul Peavyhouse own Tucker--a son of our old Belle Starr and Max.  He looks almost identical to Belle.  Belle met a wild hog once down in Louisanna and if the boar was not shot he could probably have gotten her because she would not quit.  That is what Tucker did when he met his bear.  Another time our Belle timbered a squirrel off a 30 foot cliff and fell to the bottom.  Anyhow, we are so happy to share the story of Tucker and the bear and want you to know up front that he survived this.  He may move a little slower but the heart is still there.  Below the first photo I am posting the Peavyhouse email and then below the second picture I am posting Abe Lincoln's poem about the Feist and the bear.  Thanks so much to the Peavyhouse family for sharing Tucker's story with us!

 Larry,

When posting pictures on facebook of the dogs, we realized we hadn't told you about Tucker's run in with the bear. On Jan, 7, 2012, he tried to tackle a bear one evening on our farm. As a result, we nearly lost Tucker! After a 3+ hour surgery, the vet removed 2 ribs and repaired a punctured diaphram. His spleen and part of his intestines were in a large hernia on his belly and had to be put back in place. $2600.00 later and many sore days later he has made a full recovery. Just goes to show you that these little dogs aren't afraid of anything. I have no doubt he would try again if he had the opprtunity. All of the vets at the hospital marveled at his strength and determination. They didn't give him much chance of survival at first but as they got to know tucker they saw what a fighter he was. He became the talk of the area and a little bit famous. Attached some photos after he got home from the hospital. Hope you can open them.

                                                                                                                                                 

 Paul and Cindy Peavyhouse

Dedicated to Peavyhouse's Tucker!!! 
Here is Honest Abe's poem about a bear hunt and
a gritty Feist (Fice) dog written about 1845!  

THE BEAR HUNT
A wild bear chase didst never see?
Then hast thou lived in vain.
Thy richest lump of glorious glee
When first my father settled here,
'Twas then the frontier line;
The panther's scream, filled night with fear
And bears preyed on the swine.
But wo for Bruin's short lived fun,
When rose the squealing cry;
Now man and horse, with dog and gun,
For vengeance, at him fly.
A sound of danger strikes his ear;
He gives the breeze a snuff;
Away he bounds, with little fear,
And seeks the tangled rough.
On press his foes, and reach the ground,
Where's left his half munched meal;
The dogs, in circles, scent around,
And find his fresh made trail.
With instant cry, away they dash,
And men as fast pursue;
O'er logs they leap, through water splash,
And shout the brisk halloo.
Now to elude the eager pack,
Bear shuns the open ground;
Through matted vines, he shapes his track
And runs it, round and round.
The tall fleet cur, with deep-mouthed voice,
Now speeds him, as the wind;
While half-grown pup, and short-legged fice,
Are yelping far behind.
And fresh recruits are dropping in
To join the merry corps:
With yelp and yelp--a mingled din--
The woods are in a roar.
And round, and round the chase now goes,
The world's alive with fun;
Nick Carter's horse, his rider throws,
And Mose' Hill drops his gun.
Now sorely pressed, bear glances back,
And lolls his tired tongue;
When is, to force him from his track,
An ambush on him sprung.
Across the glade he sweeps for flight,
And fully is in view.
The dogs, new-fired, by the sight,
Their cry, and speed, renew.
The foremost ones, now reach his rear,
He turns, they dash away;
And circling now, the wrathful bear,
They have him full at bay.
At top of speed, the horsemen come,
All screaming in a row.
"Whoop! Take him Tiger--Seize him Drum"--
Bang--bang--the rifles go.
And furious now, the dogs he tears,
And crushes in his ire.
Wheels left and right, and upward rears,
With eyes of burning fire.
But leaden death is at his heart,
Vain all the strength he plies,
And, spouting blood from every part,
He reels, and sinks and dies.
And now a dinsome clamor rose,
'Bout who should have his skin.
Who first draws blood, each hunter knows,
This prize must always win.
But who did this, and how to trace
What's true from what's a lie,
Like lawyers, in a murder case
They stoutly argufy.
Aforesaid fice, of blustering mood,
Behind, and quite forgot,
Just now emerging from the wood,
Arrives upon the spot.
With grinning teeth, and up-turned hair--
Brim full of spunk and wrath,
He growls, and seizes on dead bear,
And shakes for life and death.
And swells as if his skin would tear,
And growls, and shakes again;
And swears, as plain as dog can swear,
That he has won the skin.
Conceited whelp! we laugh at thee--
Now mind, that not a few
Of pompous, two-legged dogs there be,
Conceited quite as you.

Abraham Lincoln