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  1. Yes, we humans have the same ability, but we, as a whole, progressed past the point of needing that ability any more so few use it. (Of course the military does still use stealth, but the members have to be taught how to regain the skills.) Stealth in hunting entails movement toward the prey without being seen or heard. Staying hidden and quiet in a hunting blind or stand is a good way to see or shoot (with camera or firearm) "prey", but not much stealth is required. Cats, both wild and domestic, stalk and attack prey with about as much skill as a BF. BF is the only wild creature that I have ever encountered that will purposely approach a noisy human coming into his home territory, night or day. If the BF just wants to see what an intruder is doing, it won't be heard or seen. If the intruder is doing something that is interesting to the BF, it may hide and watch for hours. If it's approach is marked with the noise of foot-falls and limbs being broken by its passage, it wants you to know that the "boss of the woods" is coming, and is "suggesting" that you leave. There is one habit that BF has that conflicts with it's usual need for quietness that puzzles me a little. That is it's fascination with noisy tractors pulling bush/brush hogs in secluded areas which are not generally farmed or pastured. (Food plots in hunting areas and utility right-of-ways) I've received dozens of reports from several states from folks who have operated such equipment while being watched by BF. In some cases - two within twelve miles of my home - the creatures were standing openly and, as one witness said, "Leaning against a tree like a drunk beside a light pole" watching the tractor circle the clearing. In an AL case, the BF remained in the same place until the tractor circled and headed back toward it, and then simply stepped back out of view until the equipment passed. It then resumed it's stance against the same tree. In that case the BF watched the work until it was completed. (That event occurred on the same property owned by the folks who were the primary witnesses in the Cullman County case involving a long term "semi-habituation" situation and where very clear photos of multiple tracks of different sized and shaped tracks were made.) In one such local case, the witness - who has seen six or seven BF during his extensive hunting experiences over the past 60 years in the river bottoms - was bush-hogging and disking a food plot two summers ago. He called me by cell phone while on the tractor - with the mower off and the tractor idling. He excitedly told me that there was a BF with long red silky hair which had been watching him for a while, but he didn't know how long. I knew where he was at, and asked in what direction the BF had left. He said, H---, SHE"S still watching me." I asked how he knew it was a "she". He said loudly, "Man, are you that old? I'm looking at her from the waist up!) A few seconds later he said, "I guess I spooked her; shes walking off toward the river." He was impressed with the length, color and sheen of her hair as splotch of sunlight was shining on one shoulder. All this is to point out that there is more than one way to attract a BF. They are undoubtedly very curious about human-made sounds that they don't hear often. (Chet Atkins's music is well received by the "hill folk" BF, but not so much by the bottom-land Boogers here.) Gotta go pick scuppernongs for a batch of wine. Later.
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