Fishing today

[woodjin]

I took Jack fishing today (Jack is 3) to a remote spot I know along the wading river. I recently agreed with another poster on another thread about how the chiggers have retreated in the past couple weeks or so. Well, wouldn't you know it...I got a quarter sized patch of chiggers on the hike there. They wern't moving very fast and I think I got them all with my lighter and my hand.

As we were hiking back we heard a lone coyote in the distance. Jack kept on asking what it was. I told him but I didn't make a big deal of it. After fishing for a bit we heard an entire pack howling far away. Jack got very nervous about it despite how neat I told him it was. I had to hold his hand for the entire walk back and he was on edge even though i assured him there was no concern.

It makes me wonder if there isn't some primative, instinctual remnant in the human biology that makes us react to that sound. Jack didn't have any reason to fear coyote from any past experience or anything I had ever told him. It was only a few generations back that my swedish forefathers must have reacted to wolves with great concern.In fact, Jack kept insisting they were wolves. Coy-wolves I told him, and then regretted it.

Maybe it is just the sound itself, so mournful.

Jeff

 

[MarkBNJ]

I absolutely believe there is, Jeff.

 

[Teegate]

What time of day was it Jeff?

Guy

 

[woodjin]

What time of day was it Jeff?

Guy

It would have been about 4:30-4:45. A little early for the yotes to be calling but, as I am sure you will recall, it was very dark and overcast all day. It looked like 7pm since 12 noon.

Jeff

 

[glowordz]

It makes me wonder if there isn't some primative, instinctual remnant in the human biology that makes us react to that sound. Jack didn't have any reason to fear coyote from any past experience or anything I had ever told him. It was only a few generations back that my swedish forefathers must have reacted to wolves with great concern . . . Maybe it is just the sound itself, so mournful. Jeff

I agree, Jeff. It's a form of music, right? And the way we're wired, we have a different visceral response to drums or violins or French horns, for example. I was listening to what I thought was a tape of frog & bird songs when suddenly a coyote wailed in the background. The sound grabbed me by the throat before I could even think about it. I'm with you, little Jack.

Glo

 

[bobpbx]

Jack got very nervous about it despite how neat I told him it was. I had to hold his hand for the entire walk back and he was on edge even though i assured him there was no concern. Jeff

God bless his little heart. I can see him now, fearully glancing into the big dark woods where the sound was coming from.

I can imagine that he saw something on TV related to howling and fearsome dogs. I don't know about something from our heritage causing that fear. We are born innocent and fearless I think. This would make for some good discussion.

 

[LARGO]

I don't know about something from our heritage causing that fear. We are born innocent and fearless I think. This would make for some good discussion.

Well,
I'd love some discussion because I think Jeff is on to something very primal and very real, perhaps even part of our "preprogramming" as some would say.
But Bob, as far as the born innocent thing... I think I blew it for you there bud.
sorry. I am what I am.

g.

 

[bobpbx]

But Bob, as far as the born innocent thing... I think I blew it for you there bud. sorry. I am what I am. g.

Indeed George, you are distinct. An original. A one-off if you will.....the prototype for future generations. You, my friend, were born to run.

 

[woodjin]

God bless his little heart. I can see him now, fearully glancing into the big dark woods where the sound was coming from.

I can imagine that he saw something on TV related to howling and fearsome dogs. I don't know about something from our heritage causing that fear. We are born innocent and fearless I think. This would make for some good discussion.

well, we've talked about coyotes and wolves but only in a positive sense. He has seen them on tv on kids shows were they are presented in an interesting/educational format. i am not aware of him witnessing anything about the potentially dangerous nature of wild canines.

I think the question is whether it is an innate reaction or reflex of caution, or whether it is simply the lonesome, errie nature of the sound itself. For example: he doesn't particularly like the sound of a vaccum cleaner either.

Jeff

 

[RednekF350]

For example: he doesn't particularly like the sound of a vaccum cleaner either.

Jeff

Ahhh, we are witnessing yet another primal instinct.
Males are pre-programmed to hold great fear and disdain for housework.
Thus, Jack's great displeasure with the sound of the vaccuum.
It worked on me.

 

[bobpbx]

Ahhh, we are witnessing yet another primal instinct.
Males are pre-programmed to hold great fear and disdain for housework.

Good one Scott!