flyfisher03

Quote:Managing Unwanted SnakesEven though snakes are beneficial to have around, you may not want them in or around your home. While there is no fool-proof way to prevent snakes from ever entering your yard or home, there are steps you can take to discourage their presence. Snakes often seek shelter in cool, damp places such as a basement or under a shed. They may also look for overwintering spots that extend below the frost line, which may be provided by a house foundation. To prevent snakes from entering your home through the foundation, all openings ¼" or larger should be sealed or covered. For holes that are hard to fill or cover, you can try spray foam that will expand and fill in the smaller nooks and crannies. Also, look for small holes around windows, doors, water pipes, electrical lines, open septic pump drain tiles and other spots that might have space allowing access into your home. To discourage snakes from entering your yard, you should keep grass mowed short, move wood piles and other debris away from your house, and keep the area under bird feeders clean so as not to attract rodents. Shrubbery should be trimmed up at the base and not be planted directly against your house. Because snakes will bask on blacktop driveways, you can keep them away from your house by having a concrete apron by the garage. Snakes can also enter homes through the garage if it is attached to the house. Keep your garage door shut, and make sure there is a good seal between the garage door and floor. Also, seal any holes in garage walls. Some snakes like to lay eggs in compost heaps, so keep your compost area away from the house and not in your garden. Many people inquire about advertised snake repellents and home remedies for discouraging snakes. Things like moth balls, sulfur, naphthalene, tacky bird repellent, lime, cayenne pepper spray, and creosote have been tested but are not effective in repelling snakes. For people seriously afraid of snakes, you can put up a fence designed to keep snakes out of your yard or garden. However, some snakes are adept at climbing, so a fence is not a fool proof method. Installing a fence is expensive, but it may help in some situations such as when trying to keep rattlesnakes out of your garden. The fence should be made of ¼" galvanized hardware cloth that is at least 36" wide. The lower 4"-6" should be buried in the ground, and the above ground portion should be slanted outward at a 30-degree angle. Fence supports should be on the inside of the fence. If a gate is needed, it should fit tightly and open to the inside. Keep vegetation short on both sides of the fence. (See Resources section on page 64 for web link to fence design.) Removing Snakes From a Building If a snake finds its way into your home, the easiest way to try to get it out is to use a broom and sweep it out a door or into a garbage can that can be carried out. If you cannot reach the snake, you can try to trap it. To trap a snake, you should first try to reduce the size of the area in which the snake is located by closing doors, stuffing towels under doors to seal the space between doors and the floor, or enclose the area somehow, if possible. Next, take a box and cut a hole in the side, flush with the bottom, and about 1˝– 2˝ square. Place a damp rag in it. Seal the top of the box shut and note the weight. It should feel light. Set the box near the wall. After several hours, place a piece of cardboard over the opening and turn the box on its side. If you hear or feel movement, you should have a snake inside. With the hole still covered, take the box outside and away from your home. Set the box on the ground and unseal the hole to release the snake. Make sure you seal any holes in your home’s foundation to prevent a snake from getting back in. If you trap a snake in your house during winter, it cannot be released outside because it will die. In this situation, contact a DNR Nongame Wildlife Specialist through the DNR Information Center at 1-888-646- 6367. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/natural_resources/animals/reptiles_amphibians/snake_lizard_mn.pdf

For around the top you could have used some crown molding to make the top look a little thicker without doubling up the top or even just rip down some oak and make some trim to go around the edge.

I had a different experience from Enterprise when my wife and I rented in Denver. We had booked a small SUV and they didn't have any in the lot. The sales guy took us into the lot and told us to pick a vehicle (any we wanted). We told them right off the bat we had insurance through our insurance company and didn't need it. No big deal. Great experience with them. This was a few years ago though so times have changed.

If anyone is curious about how to go about tapping and boiling sap the State Parks are having maple syrup events. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maple_syruping.html

Limestone is made up of calcium that readily reacts with an acid (vinegar) and will bubble (if it is limestone). The scratching with a penny or piece of glass determines the hardness which can narrow it down some too.

I would build the frame and a top out of wood and then use a very large poly cutting board over the top.

Lube up the lock cylinders with JB-80, WD-40, or a lock and tumbler lube. If they do freeze use lock deicer or a heat gun.

I've always used a pencil or dowel stick through the hole and put it on that way. I haven't had troubles with it coming off the reel.

Looks like I will be the first to try on this site.

Sounds like a house boat to me.

I think in the short run 3-5 years it is an OK idea. Let the smaller bucks get bigger before getting shot but at the same time the genetics in the population may favor smaller racks. However, personally I'd rather shoot a doe or a small buck because I would want actual meat (steaks, roasts, ect.) for the table and not a whole bunch of jerky or sticks.

I've pickled both summer and winter and they turn out the same. However pike caught in warm (80 degree surface) fried up was mushier than winter caught.

I can see going to a place and asking for the super sports license instead of listing everything out you want to purchase, and if you forget to get a stamp or endorsement then you pay extra to the place you bought it from anyway. Plus more revenue for conservation actions.

From the DNR web page Lakes are opened to liberalized fishing when a fish population is endangered due to the lack of oxygen available in the water. These lakes are opened so that the public can take fish before they die. Lakes opened to liberalized fishing have signs posted at the public access or along the shore, and announcements will be made in the local newspaper and through the DNR Section of Fisheries central office in St. Paul. Fish taken from lakes opened to liberalized fishing usually are lethargic and located near the bottom of the ice or near springs. Anglers should use caution and check ice conditions before beginning to fish on opened lakes. These lakes may be restocked with fish next spring after ice-out. Rules for taking fish from lakes opened to liberalized fishing: The lakes are only open to liberalized fishing for a short time period. So check the dates on posted signs or in local newspapers. You are required to have a resident angling license to take fish on liberalized lakes. You may take fish in any quantity for personal use from lakes opened to liberalized fishing. You may sell rough fish. You may take fish by spear, gillnet, or angling (check each lake at the access site, gillnets may not be allowed at all lakes). You may not use seines, hoop nets, fyke nets, or explosives to take fish. All trespass laws are in effect and you should abide by them when accessing lakes. Do not leave any trash or litter on the lakes and take home all fish that are caught.

I have gotten my last few pairs of shoes from the running room along with the inserts. I have Asics because I really haven't had issues with them in the past. I have tried other brands too but didn't like the way they fit. I think what has been causing them is running too fast and too far for what I am used to doing. I will try doing some of the stretches/strengthening activities to help prevent them in the future. Thanks everyone.