The Packie War continues

This is the second of a two-part series about The Packie War.

Packie, the pack rat damaging my Dodge Ram at deer camp, had built a nest on top of the engine.

The nest was picked up in both of my hands, as it was to be saved. However, as soon as it was lifted, it fell apart. It was loosely woven, but there was no foundation or supports to this structure. The nest was soft to the touch and made of fibrous material, perhaps thin strips of sagebrush bark. What’s more, there was a red shop rag under the nest.

My first thought was the rag was left in place after recent repairs, but the engine area was thoroughly inspected after the repairs were completed.

But, this was a deer-hunting day and the war with Packie was placed aside. After a day of chasing deer, a gourmet meal of elk steaks and a glass of wine, sleep came easy without a thought of Packie.

However, Packie was first on my mind at sunup. The hood was raised and another nest was visible. There was no feather this time or damage to the wiring.

“You dirty rat,” I said out loud in my best Cagney voice.

Also under the hood were three of the four mouse traps. All were upside down and at various points on the engine. It was not apparent if the traps were armed or not. Only the bottoms of the traps were seen with none of the arming pieces visible.

Yes, it comes to reason a pack rat, even an adult pack rat, could not set a mouse trap. But it had also become apparent Packie has special powers. The human mind plays tricks at such times as this.

There was a vision of Packie attending a special training camp where it attained the title of Ninja Packie. Perhaps those trained muscles were strong enough to stretch the hammer, which tightens the spring, until the holding bar, sometimes called a catch-lever, could be fixed to the catch, the part holding the bait.

Or perhaps it would take two or three ninja rats to accomplish this feat. For it comes to reason if Packie held special powers, there were others of his species with the same powers.

These special ninja rats would form a group, known as a special ninja rat pack, or snrp. It is said there may be many of these groups traveling the countryside wreaking havoc throughout the region.

Ever had something completely strange or weird happen which couldn’t be explained? Well, there ya go. The cause was most likely a snrp.

I was contemplating all of the possibilities while staring at the three mouse trap bottoms when the realization my imagination was working overtime became apparent.

I reached nonchalantly toward the first trap, but still with a bit of caution, using only my thumb and forefinger of my right hand to grasp the sides of the trap.

WHAM!

Hunting buddy Thomas Steffens hit the hood with his hand as the trap was in my grasp. I jumped, as if a rattler had bit into my left calf, and dropped the trap.

The rat had won another battle, but the war was not over. Now it was my turn.

There were three other vehicles at The Hut. They were not damaged during the entire season. This confirmed the war was personal and between the two of us, the rat and I, plus the local snrp.

Next I consulted the Internet to learn more about pesky pack rats. They don’t eat meat, but grass and other vegetarian-type foods. They love shinny objects, they build nests and may keep improving the same nest for years.

The smaller traps were reset the next night, baited with green grass. Plus the sticky traps were taken from their package. These traps are not nice and tend to make the victim suffer when caught. Although my basic foundation is being a hunter and fisher, making critters suffer is not a part of my character.

But remember, Packie has not been nice to me either. This was war and it was my turn to do battle. The sticky traps were placed on top of the engine, where the nests were built.

Sleep was elusive this night. At this point each side was throwing punches and the outcome of the war was hanging in the balance.

I was up early, excited about deer hunting, yes, but more excited and worried about the condition of my Ram. A headlamp was needed for illumination, because the sun was not yet up.

None of the mousetraps were discharged. The hood was opened cautiously. After all, Packie and the local snrp could still be inside, ready to charge me.

No Packie, no snrp and no sticky traps. Was the rat running through the sagebrush with the traps affixed to its back? Perhaps.

The ground around the Ram was inspected, using the headlamp beam. There, about 10 yards away, were the two sticky traps, but no rat. Closer inspection found one covered with hair. The other was also covered with hair and one fur-covered pack-rat tail.

“Ha, Packie,” I said to myself. “I’ve won this battle.”

And so The Packie War continues, but future battles will not take place until next October.

The underside of the Ram was thoroughly inspected before leaving the hunt area, as I didn’t want the rat catching a ride home with me.

Yes, it comes to reason a pack rat, even an adult pack rat, could not sneak a ride on the underside of the Ram. Still, with Packie’s special powers, I’m taking no chances.

Back home a trail camera is aimed at the vehicle every night to record any four-legged visitors. I also check under the hood every morning.

Bring it on, Packie, you dirty rat.