When I look out my window I can see a huge birch tree. A week ago the leaves were still green but two nights before last they began to turn. Not a slight tinge marking the advance of autum but a serious yellow that is overpowering the green. Other trees in the neighborhood have that weak tinge of color that hints at autumn. Not this tree, this one is serious about the change in season and is broadcasting that change to the world. An interesting thing about that tree is that when it turns the hunting also turns--from the easygoing shuffling transformation of hunters from summer sloth to full fledged hunter. Now the fields have color and the smell of dust in the grass has changed from summer's clinging bite to the softer, earthiness of harvest crops. It is time to go hunting. So, that's where I headed yesterday--out. I returned to the same grouse haunts that my best friend and I hunted last week. All the changes were there and could be felt and the birds we couldn't find last week were there, most of them flushing too far away for me to take a shot. Only one was in range and I missed it.
I wanted to go again today but the weather turned and the wind brought a stinging cold rain that forced me inside. Later this week I'll return to the fields and report on the hunting. glg
8 years ago
6 comments:
I'm in California so the turning is pretty different here. For me, it means waking up and finding dew outside after its long summer absence. It means actual clouds in the sky, and that exciting fall breeze. Everything around me is screaming, "The ducks are coming." And every duck hunter I know is practically vibrating with excitement.
North Dakota is pothole land and I am surrounded by potholes with ducks and geese. Every morning I wake up to the honk of geese and in the evening I listen to them returning to their pothole. I have actually put my shotgun over my shoulder, put Cookie on her leash and walked for about five minutes to a good slough and started duck hunting. That close association with nature is part of why I live up here. But, I do remember the number of waterfowl in your region.
I'm green with envy. I hunt on refuges 30-60 minutes from my house that are thick with birds - but also thick with hunters.
I saw your blog in NorCal's sidebar and popped over here to check it out.
For the record - I'm jealous too - to consistently get a decent hunt we have to drive at least an hour if not two, there are a couple of places not very far but they aren't always reliable.
I'll be checking back soon!
I too saw your blog on Norcal's blog.
Nice writing - i look forward to reading more of your work and have linked to you from my site.
Cheers
SBW
Blessed and Bushwacker,
I am really pleased to read your comments and hope to read many more of your comments so please visit often. Norcal's mention of my fumbling start at this world has been a big boost!
Your comments about having to go so far to hunt remind me how lucky I really am and have been because all of my life I've had local access to hunting and fishing. I guess we were/are only poor in money but not the more important things. glg
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