Weekly Wanderings

Spring is just weeks away

Is spring ever going to arrive ? It snows then it rains,then it snows again. I'm ready for green grass and some turkey hunting! Seems like the birds in this area have really taken hold. Everywhere I go I see flock after flock of them. I"ve heard of many flocks with 40+ birds in the group. The groups that interest me are those with all adult toms that have beards dragging in the snow. Here in Western Maine the hunting pressure is minimal which gives the hunter a better then average chance of bagging one of these crafty longbeards.Turkey permits can be bought over the counter and the season is split up according to the hunters year of birth. This year, hunters with a birthdate in a year ending in an even number hunt first, and the odd numbers hunt next. While i don't really agree with any person having an advantage to hunt before somone else who is paying the same license fee, it makes for less pressure in the woods. I can't wait to get out there and listen to the woods awaken with the thunderous gobble of a big ole tom.

Over this past weekend I got a chance to look for some of the areas whitetails. In the course of about 1 hour we spotted near 100. They all looked healthy and given the winter we've had that is encouraging. It didn't really seem that any of them were floundering [so to speak] in the snow. I think that the rains mixed in with the snow have made the layers able to hold their weight. The deer that we saw were all headed to some fresh cuttings and it was very evident. Seeing 15 to 20 in a group seemed common. If the snow ever melts to the point I can get in that area,I will be looking for some sheds. I know I'm rushing it a bit but I can't wait till october so I can chase some of the areas big bucks with my bow.