How To Train A Mule

Although this is all about me, others are involved. Mom and Dad are biologists. Mom is a wildlife biologist, Dad is a general something-or-other biologist. Both teach at the University of North Dakota. Both have the letters “PhD” — Piled Higher and Deeper — after their names on science-type papers. Mom and Dad are very active outdoors people. They go to Churchill, Canada to band geese and avoid Big White Bears. They both are avid hunters. They go into the swamps down south somewhere to kill feral hogs, tasty and invasive things.

Enter all-important me and these sorts of activities present a challenge. I’m not yet able to carry a 12-gauge with slugs to make Big White Bears take notice or avoid the 10,000 volt fence. The fence around the compound mostly keeps out the Big White Bears. I might be able to navigate the swamp but hogs are only slightly less aggressive than Big White Bears and I might be a distraction (my job).

On To The Adventure

In the old chauvinist world, Susan (aka Mom) would not be faced with the disruption event labeled “Kaylee” (Me!). Mom would be at home and dad (Chris) would be out doing “guy” things. I, Kaylee, am here! Mom and Dad both do not want to stop doing field work, nor stop killing food.

Enter the adventure — keep the family in the field without damaging me! The old way would be for one parent to stay home (probably Mom) and the other to go afield. Mom’s response to the assertion her outdoor days were over? “Why couldn’t my identity just be expanded? Sure, life would change, but giving it all up … not interested,” she said. Mom is kind of competitive, she had the PhD-thingy before she was 30.

What It Took To Make It Work

Dad had to be willing to assume the role of primary caregiver — often. Susan is a first-class stalker of wild lunch with her bow but stalking game is a time-consuming activity. Chris had primary care for hours, which included diaper changes. Dad also needed to be trained as a mule so he could haul Kaylee around in the pack. “The Mule” also needed to tote more than the normal amount of clothing for Kaylee, plus lots of diapers and cleaning stuff. Kaylee was dressed in white zippered sleepers to minimize insect exposure. While in pursuit of her bird, Kaylee got the fun of a diaper change with a full wipe-down at 40F. She resented it.

Chris and Kaylee hiked with Susan sometimes and other times napped in the truck — sending Susan pictures every so often so Mom knew they were ok. When the turkey died, Chris and Kaylie could hear the shot and they soon were in the field alongside Susan. They celebrated her first gobbler — Kaylee wanted to taste the bird’s feathers but the idea was vetoed. They all reveled in their first family turkey hunt and their success at doing it.

Changing Weapons

A handgun is easy to haul. A handgun would be a good tool for hunting while also including Kaylee. Hunting with a handgun presents just as much of a challenge for ethical hunting as a bow, and is way-more challenging than long guns. Susan is very attached to her bow and is resisting my efforts to convince her to give handgun hunting a go. Fortunately, she has her concealed-carry permit so she’s not against handguns.

Kaylee Felege As Told To Ray Fleck

The Long And Short

An addition to the family does not need to be a disruption event — the new arrival is just a “change event.” The difference being all involved must have the right attitude and be willing to do what it takes.

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