Getting ready for hunting season
Bear season is already open in our part of northeastern Ontario and other seasons are getting closer by the minute.
Waterfowlers can now pick up their migratory bird permits at most post offices now, and in our area the goose season (only, not ducks) will open on Thursday.
Like bear hunters, you must plan to get your harvested spoor on ice as quickly as possible to fend off spoilage, especially in our warmer than usual summer.
When you pick up your slangily called duck stamp, you should also receive a migratory regulations sheet including the seasons.
You should read them closely so you understand them. You can also go to www. ec.gc.ca for more information.
Hunting success often depends on prescouting, and now is an ideal time to do so. The bugs are not nearly as bad as earlier in the year, and as we get a bit closer to opening days of deer and moose, we can expect cooler temperatures.
Right now, though, it is a good time to do your research on your intended quarry; perhaps by reading all the biology you can about the creature you intend on targeting. There are lots of such resources online free for the taking/surfing.
Because of the unreasonably warm weather, I won’t start hunting geese until well after the long weekend, but that’s my personal choice.
It’s my opinion that all hunters need to be the best shots they can be, so get out and target in your sporting arms, be it archery equipment or shotgun and rifles.
This is also a great time to get out with a hand-operated clay pigeon thrower to sharpen your shooting skills if you shoot a shotgun for partridge or waterfowl. This can be a lot of fun with a hunting buddy.
Fishing folk will need to go a bit deeper during the day for most fish species at present.
The best fishing will be both early and late in the day. Many fish species are feeding heavily on crayfish at present, so rock rubble and gravelly places where crayfish can find cover are best.
Usually walleye, which prefer slightly warmer water than smallies and pike, will usually be found in slightly warmer/ shallower water, often at the base of weeds as they use the weeds for cover structure and shade.
Very soon, the fall salmon run will be starting up the area relatively fast-flowing streams. Right now they will be staging up somewhere out in the deeper water of the big lake.
Trappers who aggressively target the canids should likely still have enough hot days to make freeze proof dirt, but not for long, there won’t be enough heating power in the sun much longer.
My local hummingbirds are feeding extremely heavily at present. I have no doubt they’ll pull out very soon — a sure sign summer’s over for me.