His trusty 4x4 attacked the gravel, chewed it up, and spit rocks behind it. The steep road tilted him to the fog-consumed sky, and his arms shook from the washboard. Julip Road would take him into the highlands, away from the low country that bordered Lake Superior. As the road climbed, aspen and spruce crowded the truck. Fog enveloped the headlights like a blanket over a flashlight. The trees stood like respected elders in the darkness, their branches reaching across the ragged embankment in a pagan greeting. Frogs leapt from puddles in the road, desperate to escape the beams and tires. Voles skittered across the gravel like cartoon animals, their feet flying behind them. Matt always braked. Didn’t require much effort. He rolled down his window and stuck his nose into the wind, catching the scent of sweet flag and pungent earth.

After eight miles of narrowing, rough road he brought the truck to a stop and turned right. The truck climbed a dirt two-track hidden by golden grass. The grass whispered against the truck’s side panels and clamored against the undercarriage. Soon the headlights revealed a small clearing and a haggard shack. A great horned owl swooped from a behemoth aspen next to the shack and disappeared into the fog.

Once he was sure the truck was parked on a flat enough surface (the emergency brake needed repair), he shut the engine off and put the truck in gear. Matt stepped into the cool night, the owl hooting behind the fog wall at the edge of the orchard. No stars tonight. Even the moon was obscured. Wind nudged a patch of fog, revealing the path to the top of the orchard. The honey scent of yarrow permeated the breeze.

He went behind the seat of the truck and took his blue backpack. Then he shouldered the hefty pack and lumbered towards the enormous wooden shack door.

Sleep will come easy tonight, he thought.

Iron Daily News February 21, 2014: What’s Killing the Moose?

IRON DAILY NEWS FEBRUARY 21, 2014

WHAT’S KILLING THE MOOSE?

Sandy Jones, Outdoor Reporter

Ironville, Michigan – New data fresh from the Department of Natural Resources shows the Michigan moose population continues to decline.

Aerial survey results revealed a precipitous drop this year, with a total count of one thousand moose compared to last year’s two thousand. Officials have not determined an exact cause, although climate change and tick infestation are being investigated.

Researchers say they have never witnessed such a large drop. Officials are preparing to close the moose hunting season until a cause can be determined. Several town hall meetings will be held across the region in an effort to explain why the moose are disappearing and a possible hunting season closure.