You May Have Found a Ridgerunner if:

Many visitors come to the heart of the PA Wilds region to observe wildlife and open spaces. Perhaps the most unique inhabitant of the endless mountains, where the elk roam, isn’t the elk. It is the people who share the land with those critters, known as “Ridgerunners”. They are a unique and rare species. While their numbers are few they are hardy enough not to be considered endangered, yet. There are even a few Ridgerunners who may be pretending they are something less, like “normal”. So, when you’re travelling in elk habitat and you see a wiry critter chopping wood, that doesn’t have a leathery flat tail and big teeth, look up “Ridgrunners” and look for the following identifying characteristics.

In case you were wondering…You may have found a Ridgerunner if:

1. If their wedding pictures were taken with a trail camera…

2. Their “neighbors” are only in during holiday weekends and opening days.

3. They have some sort of camouflaged home décor.

4. They admire a tree not for wildlife value, shade, or scenery but for its’ BTU potential.

5. “Making sausage” isn’t a reference to passing legislation but what you do with deer.

6. A motorcycle makes more sense than a two wheel drive vehicle.

7. They mention that they are happy summer came on a nice weekend.

8. Their nuisance wildlife worries aren’t about eaten landscaping and big holes in the yard it is about eaten pets and holes in their house.

9. When taking swimming lessons; first lesson begins with, “Look for rattlesnakes”.

10. It is routine to pack an overnight bag; to go shopping.

11. They can debate Plato, fix a 2-cycle engine, throw a right hook, and drink as well as their husband.

So there it is; 11 tips for the identification of a real Ridgerunner if you see someone running, on a ridge, in The Big Woods.

See you along the stream.