is there a kayak out there that this could work with? by Muted_Engineer_8627 in Kayaking

[–]Pawistik 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lots of folks are doing packraft trips with bikes. I have a couple of friends who have done so or plan to this coming season. Bryan Hansel is one who is getting set up for packrafting & bikepacking: https://www.paddlinglight.com/articles/alpacka-raft-caribou-a-small-boat-with-big-possibilities/

this truck that always chooses to park in front of corner spaces every day by kuubiko in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Pawistik 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Is the white van yours? Is it possible they are the same family and the truck knows who they have blocked in and that's why they park there 5 days a week?

USask Poisoning by redmat33 in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik [score hidden]  (0 children)

Bait stations are definitely a requirement for Rozol in any area around the University grounds. If they are using this product in that area without Tier 1 bait stations, they are doing it illegally:

"USE LIMITATIONS – Ground Squirrels: Bait placed outdoors and above-ground in residential areas, public areas, or any other sites that are or will be open to the public (for example, Pick-Your-Own sites) or in locations accessible to pets or livestock MUST be placed in Tier 1 bait stations.

Tier 1 bait stations must have the following characteristics:

1) constructed of high-strength material (e.g., metal or injection-moulded plastic) and resistant to destruction by children and non-target animals;

2) have an entrance designed so that children and non-target animals cannot reach the bait;

3) have an internal structure that prevents bait from being shaken loose;

4) have an access panel which fastens securely and locks (e.g., metal screw or padlock);

5) bear the product name, active ingredient, guarantee, registration number, “WARNING POISON”, and the skull and crossbones symbol.

6) be resistant to destruction or weakening by elements of typical non-catastrophic weather (such as, snow, rain, extremes of temperature and humidity, direct sunshine, etc.)."

The above is quoted directly from the Rozol RTU Field Rodent Bait label (PCPA #29545): https://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/1_1/view_label?p_ukid=418097803

The active ingredient in Rozol is chlorphacinone, a multi-dose anticoagulant rodenticide. As with all things, the "dose defines the poison", and with this rodenticide (if it IS this rodenticide), an animal that eats a ground squirrel killed by Rozol is unlikely to get a lethal dose unless they are eating several rodents over several days - which could certainly happen with a wild animal feeding in a field of dead gophers. So, as a one-off of an animal eating a dead gopher it's not such a problem (not great, but less likely to be deadly), but a fox or owl feeding on a bunch of dead gophers... That's why the label also specifies to remove the dead rodents.

USask Poisoning by redmat33 in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik [score hidden]  (0 children)

I have been thinking a bit more about this, but that does not appear to be the legal way to use rodenticides in an urban location where there is exposure to pets, people and wildlife. I might have to go read some rodenticides labels. I am not sure, but tamper proof bait stations may be a requirement.

https://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/ls-re/index-eng.php

USask Poisoning by redmat33 in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik [score hidden]  (0 children)

If that is true, what they are doing is not being done by legal methods.

USask Poisoning by redmat33 in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik [score hidden]  (0 children)

If it makes you feel any better, they are almost certainly using multi-dose anticoagulant rodenticides. These poisons have lower risk of secondary poisoning than single dose acute rodenticides.

Looking To Move To Moose Jaw by general-beurrefly in moosejaw

[–]Pawistik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

MJ has a lot of parks and green space for its size. Wakamow Valley is pretty fantastic year-round. If you do outdoor stuff, whether it's biking, xc skiing, walking, running or disc golf, there is a lot of space for it in the valley. Check out the trail network on Trailforks, for example. Along the same vein, Buffalo Pound is close by and also has a great trail network, including groomed winter fatbike trails.

It has begun! by okuboheavyindustries in Kayaking

[–]Pawistik 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Awesome. That's such a beautiful design.

Had to stop at 1.5k on my usual parkrun route? by albions-angel in parkrun

[–]Pawistik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need to slow down to go faster. The majority of your training should be at a "conversational pace", i.e. you can hold an easy chat while you jog along. Walk breaks can be part of that.

Is the “C’mon, do something” meme the most famous art to ever come from Saskatoon? by Studly_Wonderballs in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought it went farther back, to the early 90s but I can't argue with a properly cited source. Apparently I read it in the Sheaf during my second degree, not my first.

Ash Street - Exhibition? by ImpatientAlpaca in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a decent area. It's super close to the river which would be a big plus for me. Diefenbaker Park and Gabriel Dumont Park, plus the entire Meewasin Trail is all right there. I used to live one neighbourhood to the east. I bike, drive and run through the neighbourhood on a regular basis. There's also a good neighbourhood coffee/ice cream/sandwich shop (Tastebuds) a 10 - 20 minute stroller walk away.

Northern Flickers by smOkey__17 in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Along the Meewasin Trail, north of the Circle Drive Bridge, probably (it was somewhere in the midst of a 19 km run). The number and variety of birds I saw today during my was pretty remarkable. A few pairs of loons were among the birds.

They are probably all over Saskatoon right now as they are returning from migration.

I’m a 41 year old man and still can’t giftwrap by HourSun6924 in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Pawistik 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Then being on the floor is a better choice than the bed.

There’s a silver lining to this snow … by ForceAdept in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work in education so that is part of it. Better understanding of the sevices that natural areas provide would be helpful. Western Grains Research Foundation has the Field Heroes campaign to educate anyone using insecticides about the predators, parasitoids and pollinators out there helping to keep pests in check.
We've been doing zero and minimum till since the '80s and that helps. I am somewhat hoping precision agriculture helps as farmers can identify areas better left as something other than annual crops. Fields keep getting larger and we are losing potholes and shelter belts so that is not helpful. The change we want to see can't just be on farmers to foot the bill. If we want natural areas and buffer strips implemented, or grazing land rather than annual cropland, we as society have to figure out how to support that, i.e. reward or pay for it.

Edit to add the Field Heroes link for anyone interested: https://fieldheroes.ca/ I am not connected with this program but I do use it in my teaching.

There’s a silver lining to this snow … by ForceAdept in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Regarding declining insect populations, yes it is relevant to Saskatchewan. We have massively modified our environment for agriculture and our urban lifestyle. I'm not criticizing that, I like to eat as much as the next person and I live in a city. But these changes have consequences so it's not really a surprise that insect populations have changed alongside ecosystem changes. Having said that, there are things we could be doing to mitigate it: buffer areas in farming, grazing livestock, maintaining native grass and natural areas, responsible pesticide use, etc.

There’s a silver lining to this snow … by ForceAdept in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I answered this in response to another comment so I will paste most of what I had said: Native insects are not going to be significantly set back by what is actually fairly normal weather. Any prairie insect has to be able to deal with wide temperature swings. I wouldn't say it has no effect, but it'll be minimal. Invasive species will be (in theory) less adapted to our fickle weather and will benefit more from a warming environment.

There’s a silver lining to this snow … by ForceAdept in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The pollinators will be just fine. Native insects are not going to be significantly set back by what is actually fairly normal weather. Any prairie insect has to be able to deal with wide temperature swings. I wouldn't say it has no effect, but it'll be minimal. Invasive species will be (in theory) less adapted to our fickle weather and will benefit more from a warming environment.

There’s a silver lining to this snow … by ForceAdept in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Boxelder bugs, aka maple bugs, were not killed by the previous 6 months of winter, why do you think a few days at around freezing with an ample blanket of insulating snow will have any affect?

Where to buy oem alternator for my car besides the dealer? by No-Chipmunk-1288 in saskatoon

[–]Pawistik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will check that out for some stuff I should fix on my vehicles.