It certainly has been cold outdoors lately, and the snow is becoming deeper. It’s official, winter is underway in North America — it began back on December 21 in case you do not have a calendar. While several bird hunting seasons are closed, or closing soon in some areas, there are plenty of things to do outdoors.
At the top of my list are scouting for new hunting areas. While Mike looks at maps and the many pages in hunting magazines like Sporting Classics, it’s when we hit the ground that I begin my search — with my nose. Bird tracks are easy to spot in winter, and, against a white background, nearly every huntable bird is more prominent, except maybe Alaska’s ptarmigan.
Ok, there are also some ptarmigan that you can hunt in parts of the Lower 48, including Colorado and Utah. You need hiking boots and a lightweight shotgun — and maybe a few oxygen tanks to hunt these birds because they live on very high grounds. I’m thinking 10,000 and above when you seek these seeds of the clouds. So you can’t go there in winter because of deep snow and slick ice. Make other plans. I digress.
Winter is also the time do research if you are wanting a new hunting dog. Read about breeds, look at photos, visit breeders and work many long hours so your bank account becomes much fatter. If you make a decision on a dog, get your name on the list. Your dog is waiting — to move into your home, take over and run your life, har har! Be certain to buy several dog beds and put one near the fireplace. No dog likes to be cold.
If the sun does come out in winter, I like to hike around, look for elk and deer antlers. I know some dogs are trained to find and fetch these. I, however, stop and stare so Mike can come pick the antler up. This gives him something to do in the winter, plus I have “avoid sharp objects” in my contract, har har! —Cameron
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