If you read my last two articles, you probably picked up on the fact that my thoughts are turning to gardens, flowers, and perhaps a little turkey hunting. Unless I harvest a buck in the next few days after this column runs, I will not have punched a tag in the “Sip” this season. There were ample opportunities, just nothing that suited my fancy. The age class just wasn’t there this season, at least for me. The freezer is full of venison steaks, just no “horns” this year. This is ok too. But what else occurred this writing season that was noteworthy?
We talked about the effect of the drought on the flora and fauna. You can really notice the pines losing their needles and bark now. This will be a continuing mess with the labor and cost of removing the dead timber. In many places, the timber will just decay and fall to the ground. In time, the landscape will regenerate with tender grasses and forbs as sunlight reaches the forest floor again.
Perhaps for decades, the canopy has shaded the earth allowing only the tallest and largest trees to capture the required sunlight to carry on photosynthesis. Mother Nature always finds a way to survive and proliferate. It will take a few years but note the change that will begin when springtime arrives.
The recent frigid weather brought a few ducks to the state. I spoke with Charlie Jones regarding a last “push,” and he sarcastically laughed at my optimism. He is spot on. We covered where we are regarding our duck populations in all the flyways. It’s pretty sad. Do you have any ideas on what needs to be done for our waterfowl to recover? I know, I know, there will be experts that dispute my facts and will strongly disagree with me regarding duck numbers. All I can say is, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and waterfowl biologists need to learn how to count.
There are some rumblings that the books may have been cooked, reporting more ducks than what they actually know is there. In an effort to keep duck hunting “alive,” they must keep the troops rallied. Just the other day I saw statistics that the duck season is rated by hunter contentment, rather than bird numbers. For example, if a hunting group sets decoys, cooks biscuits in the blind, laughs and tells stories, videos the hunt, and posts it on social media, then the hunt was successful.
I know there is more to the experience than just limits on the stringer, but in a nutshell, the ducks are in trouble. What would you think about a 30-day duck season and a three-duck limit for three years? I know it would help compensate for the factors we can’t control like drought and nest predation. It won’t happen though, there is way too much emphasis on the dollar that is generated by waterfowlers and hunter “opportunity.” Keep doing the same thing you have been doing and see if you get different results. You know where I’m coming from.
Speaking of change, I keep hearing of regulations that may be coming down the pipeline regarding the wild turkey. There is talk of a turkey stamp, reduced season length, reduced bag limits, no afternoon hunting, season date changes for non-residents, and more. To my knowledge, none of these have been enacted. Again, it boils down to the economic effect and hunter opportunity and this results in us staying right where we are. If you’re a turkey hunter, you know what our population is and what the pressure is on the resource. Social media is wearing it out too.
Many of you may be shaking your head in disagreement, but deep down, you know I make a valid point. I watched a recent podcast where Toxey Haas kept emphasizing and re-emphasizing the effect of pressure on ducks, bucks, and gobblers. He makes his living from sportsmen, but he also realizes and understands the road we are creating and traveling. It’s a dead end unless we change. Ok, enough of beating this dead horse.
This past fall, and what is left of winter, has been one of my favorite seasons in many years. I did a bunch of cooking, sat in my favorite haunt more than usual, and witnessed more sunrises and sunsets than I have in a long time. The trip to Glacier National Park was amazing. I became part of the Llano Estacado and the Caprock Escarpment. The old duck blind in Drew was re-visited and the gumbo once again tugged at my waders. In fact, the gumbo pulled at my groin too, but I will know more when I get the doctor’s report back.
Most of all, I laughed more than I ever have this season. The coffee pot was brewing every morning when our hunts were over, and the grill fired up after the evening hunts. This one will go down in the books and stories will be told over and over about the does that smelled us, the bucks that were passed, and the good times had by all. I can’t wait for it to start over again in eight months.
By now you can probably tell that this writing season and “Outdoors in the Sun” will be on hold for a few months. It’s hard for me to comprehend that each week for the last six months has been spent in my study bringing what my heart holds dear to print. My love for the outdoors and my desire and opportunity to share it with you is a blessing beyond description.
More than a blessing the privilege to write for you is a gift of huge magnitude. Wyatt, Jimmye, and the staff at The Northside Sun, are so supportive of my efforts with pen and pad, and I do not take them, nor the opportunity, for granted. I couldn’t do this without them. The words grateful and thankful are pale in comparison for what it means to me to visit your homes each week. Good Lord willing, I’ll be back sharing stories from the fields, streams, and swamps, with you before you know it.
For now, it’s back to chasing down the bugs and the weeds. Let us know what you think of our column. More importantly, let us know how we can make it better and what additional topics you would like to read about. Remember, your input plays a major role in what we roll out for your entertainment and enjoyment.
Feel free to contact me at jeff.north@azelis.com and don’t forget to let Wyatt and Jimmye know what you think as well. Thank you again for your time each week and I hope to see you soon. Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
