American Badger It was one of those exceptional early spring days that makes one think summer must be only a day or two away and is a more than welcome relief from the arctic bite of the Wisconsin winter over the past several months. The world was slowly coming to life again, and those who had been alive were once again finding joy in life. The only creature who had seemed totally unconcerned by the cold and snow was the otter I had seen last December poking his head through the ice on the pond to see who this crazy person was walking around. After a friendly staring match of a couple of minutes he had ducked back under, probably to see about waking up a blue gill so he could play a jolly game of tag. Mink had been evidently busy all winter too. Several times I trailed them, but other than tracks and slide trails in the snow, some scats and three dens, I saw hide nor hair of the mink itself. So I cannot make any first hand observation of his attitude to the blasted winter weather, but if his trails meant any thing, he certainly didn't appear to have been slowed down at all. Nothing of equivalent size could cover so much ground as readily, easily or carelessly as he seemed to. As the winter was slowly wearing away I had been making occasional trips back to an out of the way stretch of Norway pines a pair of barred owls were calling home at least for the time being. On one of the trips back home from there, I had noticed some tracks and began following them. It took only a moment of following to realize that these huge, (the melting snow exaggerated the size appropriately) five-toed tracks, belonged to yet another member of the mustelidae family–the badger. The twisting, turning, sliding and apparent determination and speed were unmistakable. As I followed I was astonished to discover this guy was going straight (except that it wasn't a straight track at all) toward the beginning of my hiking trail. And to my utter dismay he not only crossed over where I had just walked probably half an hour before but he shamelessly followed my trail for a few yards before conveniently turning off and disappearing into the frozen swamp, where I totally lost his track. How incredibly aggravating! By a brief how many minutes had I missed a grand encounter? For years I have wanted to see a badger. And living in the "badger State" one would assume that would be easy. However I am told that the nickname referred not to any particular prevalence of Taxidea taxus, but to the mining and miners so abundant at least during the formation of the state. For several years I had seen plenty of evidence of the badger in the fields and pasture around the house, but of course, he had gotten his fill of gophers and long since left for his day-time nap before I discovered his excavating work. But on this particular and long over due spring day fate was about to play into my hands at long last. Of course I didn't know that or I would have made sure to have my camera in hand, but as far as I knew this was just a gorgeous spring morning of which I was going to take full advantage. Being such a beautiful day I decided to take my two sheep out. After being cooped up all winter eating dry hay, getting out in the yard where they could nibble the green grass would be a special treat. They were more than eager to come out and Lambkins (aptly named) bounced and twisted, jumped and stiff-legged hopped like a little lamb in spite of being six years old, even Sissy who has always been too proper to indulge herself, unless it is in butting and establishing her supremacy, allowed a little trot. And of course being good, happy sheep they went with me for my usual morning mile hike. So with my two border collie crosses leading and sheep taking up the rear we headed out down the trail. Now my dogs are not allowed to herd my mule, donkey or sheep, so to meet their need they attempt to herd birds, deer, or anything else that will run from them. This of course is not what I like but since they innately have to herd, I tolerate it, although for the life of me I can't figure out why I have them. But if I hadn't taken them as pups they would have been shot, so they at least are better off. So this morning the dogs were, as usual, intent on finding birds to eradicate from the trees (thankfully they have never managed to catch one). Half way down the trail they plunged to the left off the trail into the trees with a frenzy of barks that would have convinced even the most steel-nerved being that the end was very near. Then out rolling haphazardly, but purposefully a gray yellow, legless marmot looking creation flabbed its way across the trail and off in the brush on the right. Followed a moment later by two black and white blurs. The sheep were slightly taken back and paused with me to take in the sudden change in events, but taking their cues from me, followed as I hurriedly caught up to the scene of interest. Just in time to see the creature scramble up the slight incline, and cross the trail back to the left a few feet in front of me. Jumping Catfish! This was no flabby marmot creation, this was Taxidea Taxus himself in living flesh!!!! And now closer, he was no small creature at all, rather a respectable giant, with spectacular coloration. The typical grizzled gray above changing half way down to a grizzled yellow fading to a creme. But his face was the most captivating, It was sharp and distinctly contrasted with white, white and black, black stripes. He bore no expression of malice or even anxiety. This unplanned encounter just seemed to be a slight detour in his day's plans which he would get back to as soon as these juvenile delinquents moved on. He had no inclination to fight, but nor was he going to be injured, never mind worse. This totally frustrated the boys. Here was someone on their level, their same approximate weight (individually that is), out numbered two to one, and certainly no match as far as speed or dexterity, but still fearless and unapproachable. As I watched enthralled by this chance meeting and grand display of perfect poise, good spirit, and noted the boys careful determined but distanced attacks, I realized this was not the first time the three had met. The summer before, I had watched the same one-sided battle go on, but from my position then could only see the dogs. After calling the one dog off, the badger had apparently been able to dig himself out of sight so that by the time I had gotten there, there was no incriminating evidence except for the smashed field grasses. While I knew Taxus wasn't going to get hurt, I still did not want the dogs to chase him, but they were not about to give up and I knew there was no point in even trying to call them off. With the sheep there, there was no way I could enforce my commands. So I hurried along my walk, bringing the sheep back to the yard. Now to escape without their notice! In the process of sneaking away, I bumped into Dad to whom I sputtered my urgent errand and the two of us set off in a mad dash through the field, over the hill, along the woods trail, down the hill, through a tangle of brush up another hill, following the barking to a place a quarter mile from were the trio had first met. Taxus was holed up as best he could considering the double, unrelenting attacks, under a fallen tree which gave him some protection. At our approach his handsome face poked out to see who else was coming to join the melee, but he seemed none-the-less daunted and returned his attention to his immediate worriers. Unconcernedly sitting in his hole he waited for the right moment then came hurdling out at a tremendous speed, I never would have thought possible for his legless, guestimated fifty pound body, and in the same second he retreated back just as fast. Yet he never once bit or clawed the dogs although he certainly could have had he wanted too, his was only bluff. Had he really been put to it he could have easily given them something to howl about with his long claws attached to powerful, muscular, albeit nearly invisible legs. But he wished no ill on anyone. Roscoe always eager to please, came at my call but it was all I could do to keep him with me as dad tried to capture Teddy. Taxus though seemed to realize now that we were there to help him and although I would have liked to stay and watch him as long as he would tolerate me, it quickly became apparent that I needed to get Roscoe away. So ended my first and most memorable sighting of a badger, but not the last. A week or so later a couple of miles from home a badger ran across the road and up the bank into the trees. Was it the same one? It very easily could have been as badgers have huge territories of literally hundreds, even thousands of acres, the males of course covering the most territory. But since I was so far away I didn't get a good enough look to notice any specific identification. In any event Taxus was definitely the highlight of my animal finds for the year. And I hope to again make his acquaintance, only next time under more sociable circumstances, please.

All rights reserved Copyright © 2006 By J. Lee