We came home late to a surprise yesterday, we had a new member added to the family. The kid is surprising sure footed for being only 24 hours old. They sure come out pretty darn cute just to grow up to just be an old goat
(see picture below). Anyway, we just use them as pets and for lawn mowers. The goats do a fine job of reducing my bush cutting time!
Just to clear a few things up. I never intended the original post to be controversial. Here on the East side of the Mississippi, especially in Southern, Illinois I have felt pretty safe roaming the woods, hiking, hunting and especially doing chores on my own property. No issues for a number of years as we just don't have the apex predators like some other areas of the country. No bears, wolfs, or mountain lions / cougars, sure I've seen bobcats and coyotes, but that has been about it. Around this area, I just took for granted we are pretty safe. That being said, it just never dawned on me that I would be using my flintlock hunting rifle a personal protection. Like some of you, I have completed situation awareness training / dignitary protection and was required to prove proficiency with a number of weapons. I suppose that I why I like muzzleloaders, it takes me back to a simpler time. I assure all of you the situation got ugly quick, I had initially entered the barn lot to protect my livestock, in the end when the dogs turned toward me I was protecting myself. I took no pleasure in taking the dog, in fact I was greatly disappointed that it wasn't a nice deer. I have taken my share of deer, just not with a flintlock. By starting this thread, I simply wanted to help others, who normally feel safe on a familiar piece of property, understand anything can happen at any time. Be prepared! I know I will be carrying a secondary weapon with me next deer season!!!