What to do in winter without snow

Rabbit hunting is one of the sports you can do without snow.

Are you getting cabin fever already? Are you an outdoor sportsman dieing of boredom because of lack of snow? A lot of people look forward to this time of year for skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, or other traditional winter sports. Obviously with rain, warm temperatures, and lack of snow these normal winter sports are out of the question for now.

Be patient. The law of averages indicates that we will have a return to normal seasonal weather sometime. In the meantime, there are things that you can do to help pass the time. Some are normal winter activities while others may call for some adapting on our part.

One of the traditional sports that you can enjoy with or without snow, and with or without a dog, is rabbit hunting. Running rabbits with a good dog such as a beagle has always been enjoyable. Find an overgrown pasture or brushy lot and chase up a bunch of bunnies. If you don’t have a dog you can hone your skills at spotting and shooting by stalking rabbits as they sit outside their burrow. In the north country, the snowshoe hare will be wearing their white winter coat so they stand out but shooting them with a .22 rifle still calls for skill.

Predator hunting, especially calling in coyotes can provide a whole new challenge. It takes calling skill, camo clothing, and proper choice of a calling location as they circle to come in downwind of your calls.

Hiking is a good option for many people. Proper clothing and boots are necessary but you can get exercise and see even familiar areas in a different view or perspective. Be aware of weather reports and other possible hazards and take an emergency kit for any lengthy hikes.

Variations on normal hikes could be deer scouting or shed hunting. Without the vegetation the trails, rubs, scrapes, or other deer sign is much more evident. This is also the time when bucks typically drop their antlers. Many people make a major effort to find sheds in winter or spring. Look for them along trails or bedding areas, or other spots frequently used by deer. It takes skill and practice to find them in the leaves, brush, or other cover but it can be an interesting and fun way to pass an afternoon.

Photography is a good opportunity in winter to improve your skills. Train yourself to look for interesting scenes or smaller or unusual subjects. You will

be surprised at what you see and the challenges that you might face. Many times you will see some subjects or views that you will not see most of the year.

Don’t overlook fishing. The most obvious is steelhead fishing in Lake Ontario tributaries, especially the Salmon River. Your best bet is to go with someone experienced or to hire a guide. You can use the knowledge or experience you have gained in trout fishing since they are really just big and powerful rainbow trout.

If you don’t feel like trying the Salmon River there are smaller streams such as Selkirk, Orwell, or Trout Brook that hold steelhead. For a really different type of fishing consider fishing the lower Niagara River where you drift near Lewiston and are likely to land giant steelhead, lake trout, or trophy walleye. There is also open season for trout on sections of local streams like Oneida or Chittenango Creek.

Other things you can do to ease the pangs of cabin fever include going to outdoor shows, camping shows, RV shows, etc. Two of the local ones are the NY Sportsmans Expo in Syracuse Jan. 24 to 26, and the CNY Sportsmans Show in Oneida

Feb 1. There are others and different events that we will publicize in this column.

Join a conservation organization such as Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club, Trout Unlimited, Ruffed Grouse Society, etc. Become involved and help out with activities. Organize your fishing tackle. At the very least change the line on your reels, lubricate reels, and lots more that usually needs attention. Learn to tie f lies. If you don’t know how, organizations like Madison County Trout Unlimited holds classes or watch a video.

Go and see the eagles on Onondaga Lake from the parking lot behind Destiny or other lakeside areas. They have arrived and should spend the winter there due to open water. I haven’t heard the reports or had time to go there yet, but there normally are eagles that winter on the Salmon River upstream from the hatchery

Learn a new skill or sport. If you can’t find classes there are many books and videos available that should engage you, as well as help develop an interest. Read some books in general because there are a lot by local authors on sports, outdoors, or local interest that should entertain or cater to your interests.

If you don’t find something on this list you can always paint a few rooms in your house, go through your cellar or attic in preparation for a garage sale this spring, or clean and organize your sock drawer.

SHORT CASTS

Sue Kiesel Art Exhibit: Local award-winning photographer Sue Kiesel has an outstanding photography exhibit – Adirondack Moments – at the Kirkland Town Library from now through January 31. Kiesel is a former staff writer of Adirondack Outdoors magazine and is well known for her outstanding photos of scenery and wildlife in the Adirondacks. In addition to the stunning array of large photo prints, there will be a variety of prints both framed and unframed for sale. The exhibit is free. The library is located at 55 ½ College St., Clinton.

••• Elinskas’ New Book: Prolific and popular local author Bob Elinskas’ new book “Adirondack Clubs and Camps” chronicles the histories of a dozen hunting and fishing camps ranging in size from 16,000 acre multi building leases down to a one man primitive camp. All the camps share fascinating pictures, history and stories. Camp locations range from Tupper Lake, to the Moose River Plains, and Johnstown. A very unique and thorough history on the iconic Gooley Club near

Indian Lake is recorded. The book will also give the reader some insight on the operation of many Adirondack sporting clubs and will keep the reader’s mind back in the woods the whole way through. The book will be available at the CNY Sportsman’s Show on February 1.

••• Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo: Next weekend, January 17 to Jan. 19, is the biggest pure fishing show in the northeast. The Conference & Event Center in Niagara Falls will host a three day extravaganza of exhibits, vendors, and seminars on Great Lakes, river, and inland fishing for every interest and level. There are 200 seminars for every experience level and every type of fishing. The 18 rooms will hold concurrent events, seminars, and clinics for beginners to experts. These include 60 just on walleye and 35 on salmon and trout. Check the website www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

There will also be an angler outreach on Saturday with 10 tables of DEC biologists available to talk one- on- one with anglers on everything from Great Lakes to trout stream management, and recruiting more women anglers. For the latest fishing forecast to take advantage of the fabulous fishing while you are there check www.niagarafallsusa.com or call 716-2850809.

••• DEC Conservation Camps: Application for DEC Conservation camps will open at 1 p.m. on January 26. Registration is strictly online. There are new offerings and additional sessions early in the summer. See the 2020 schedule and other information at the DEC website under the Education section, or it is easier to search for “DEC Summer Camps.” If you need information call 518- 402-8014. Scholarships are available from the NYS Outdoor Writers association or various sportsman’s clubs, including Trout Unlimited.

••• NYSE – Spirit of the Great Outdoors: The New York Sportsman’s Expo will be Friday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Jan. 26, in the new Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd. Hours are from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy a weekend packed with seminars, conservation organizations, and exhibits showcasing the latest in industry- leading products, services, travel and entertainment for hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. Visit the New York Sportsman’s Expo website for full event details at www.newyorksportsmansexpo.com.