I have to admit I was a little concerned after yesterday, he didn't return to dine. I had seen hunters on the mountain yesterday, and figured he was hopefully just hiding.
Yesterday I cut out a cardboard section that will actually cover the inside and sides of the humane trap, and placed it with the sides up in his dining area. Eventually I will move this cardboard section into the trap, once he seems to be used to walking on and dining on the cardboard. I'm taking it very very slow as I don't want to lose him by spooking him.
This morning as I made my way to the back yard, placed his main breakfast on his new cardboard dining section, I caught a glimpse of a black and white flash descending the mountainside. I froze momentarily considering whether or not to turn and see if he would come to me via food tosses. I chose not to at this point because he stopped. However, what I did do is continue leaving a usual trail of treats but this time I moved very slowly and deliberately in my placement. I was hoping he was watching and praying for the beginning of some familiarity which may one day lead to trust. I turned frequently to glance in his direction, never turning fully so as to not confront, but I saw no movement. I continued placing the trail and retreated to the house. It took him some time before he hit the food, but he seemed to linger a bit longer on his dining and stayed around afterward for a while. I stepped quietly out on the balcony to snap a few pics, but he did not notice me. It would be so great to have him trust enough to come close, but I fear that is a long way off.
Yesterday I cut out a cardboard section that will actually cover the inside and sides of the humane trap, and placed it with the sides up in his dining area. Eventually I will move this cardboard section into the trap, once he seems to be used to walking on and dining on the cardboard. I'm taking it very very slow as I don't want to lose him by spooking him.
This morning as I made my way to the back yard, placed his main breakfast on his new cardboard dining section, I caught a glimpse of a black and white flash descending the mountainside. I froze momentarily considering whether or not to turn and see if he would come to me via food tosses. I chose not to at this point because he stopped. However, what I did do is continue leaving a usual trail of treats but this time I moved very slowly and deliberately in my placement. I was hoping he was watching and praying for the beginning of some familiarity which may one day lead to trust. I turned frequently to glance in his direction, never turning fully so as to not confront, but I saw no movement. I continued placing the trail and retreated to the house. It took him some time before he hit the food, but he seemed to linger a bit longer on his dining and stayed around afterward for a while. I stepped quietly out on the balcony to snap a few pics, but he did not notice me. It would be so great to have him trust enough to come close, but I fear that is a long way off.
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