Turning Leaves

[musketman]

It's August 21st here in North East Ohio, and I have orange maple leaves falling already...

There is a nip in the air and you can see your breath in the morning...

Man, I want to go squirrel hunting...

I can almost hear the fox squirrels barking now...

Anyone getting antsy for hunting season to start?

 

[roundball]

There is a nip in the air and you can see your breath in the morning...

(That's because you stepped into the upright freezer instead of the bathroom!)

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

 

[Huntinfool]

You know it MM I can hardly wait! :RO: Our early goose season and dove season starts Sept. 1st. We are allowed 5 geese a day in the early nuisance resident goose season. My Black Lab Rascal is 5 years old and can tell it's gettin' near as he sees dad getting ready checkin' the gear and all! I've been working on my duck blind and other such things I'm about 99% ready.

We have to wait till Oct. 8th before we can pop some squaks! I don't get to hunt them as much as I would like. Because it opens during the main waterfowl season and I spent too much time training Rascal to not hunt him every opportunity I get. Plus he's 5 as I said and doesn't have that many good years left. But I'll manage to pot a few bushytails with my smoothie this fall!

I'm probably going to concentrate on geese as it's been my experience the dove huntin' isn't as good during seasons when it turns cool in Aug. In 37 years of huntin' doves I've found that they say to heck with this cold 50 degree nights and fly on down to the Southern regions a little early. I've had my best years of dove shootin' when it stays hot right through mid Sept.

Of course we also get some flight birds from up North. But it's patchy and unpredictable at best. One day you'll be covered up with doves the next it'd be hard to find one!

I remember a few years ago I was taking a kid duck huntin' on youth waterfowl day. It comes the last week in Sept. usually one week before regular waterfowl season. Adults are not allowed to carry a gun. I'd been hunting for doves in the first part of the month with very little success. That Sat. we must've seen 200 doves flying within easy shotgun range. Went back to the same place Mon. 2 days later didn't see a one, unbelievable but true!

YMH&OS,
Chuck Goodall
The Original Huntin' Fool
&
Kanawha Ranger Scribe

 

[bob1961]

Anyone getting antsy for hunting season to start?

:huh: :shake: now that was a dumb question don't ya think :crackup: :crackup:....does sleeping with my muzzleloader count as yes :shocking:.........................bob

 

[cayugad]

We've had three frosts already here. Not a lot of fun for those with big gardens, but it sure does make one understand that hunting season will be here soon.

I've been working on some #6 shot (100 grains) over 70 grains of Goex FFg loads in the .62 caliber trying to get ready for grouse hunting. That starts the middle of next month as does everything else almost. Then of course there is bow hunting in the afternoon.

Our deer season does not start until October and that is a T-zone hunt they use to thin the does herds... That will be a good test for some of the new rifles and loads I have been working on....

Good luck with the squirrels. I wish we had a better eating squirrel population where I live. The eating breeds are more in the southern part of the state or the cities.

You ever notice how thick the squirrels are in the city parks... we should be allowed to muzzleloader hunt them there... :thumbsup:

 

[sabotloader]

Musketman,

Surely you are joking - I am "ancy" for the next hunting season as soon as this one closes..... I wish I had the money to just follow hunting seasons all over where ever they might be - do they have hunting season(s) in the Southern Hemisphere? :cry:

 

[JerryToth]

Hey Musketman!

"Anyone getting antsy for hunting season to start? "

56 days till the first day of Early Muzzleloader for Deer here in Pennsylvania!

(I've been wondering the last couple of days if it's too soon to start a hunting thread! You've convinced me, so, I think I will!)

Ironsights Jerry

 

[musketman]

(I've been wondering the last couple of days if it's too soon to start a hunting thread! You've convinced me, so, I think I will!)

It's never too early, between the cool temps and the squirrels barking plus the geese in the air, it's no wonder bob1961 is sleeping with his gun...

 

Hunting season for bushytails opened here Memorial Day weekend so I've been hunting them since then. Usually I stay out of the woods during July and August because it's so hot and humid but this has been an unusually cool summer, fow which I am eternally grateful!! Dove seaon opens Sept. 1 and archery deer Sept. 15th. We should be in our new house by the 15th of Sept. so this year I really get to hunt! I noticed some Virginia Creeper was bright red, the hard maples are showing some yellow and red as is the sumac.....yup, ain't fer off!

Vic

 

[musketman]

This will help get those juices flowing... (not me pictured)

 

[Keith]

Anyone getting antsy for hunting season to start?

:huh: :shake: now that was a dumb question don't ya think :crackup: :crackup:....does sleeping with my muzzleloader count as yes :shocking:.........................bob

Your wife can't be to happy about that!

 

[bob1961]

:imo: :results: "we interupt this marriage to bring you the hunting season" :: :crackup:.......................bob

 

Yep here on the Northwest as well, it rained all day here "Idaho " that never happens this time of year and last year it didn

 

Here, in Central BC, is has been over 90F since June, until yesterday. Today, it isn't going to make 70F, but I expcet hunting weather won't start until the end of September- isn't this geography wierd. I'm well north of most of you, yet it's still warmer than the northern states & we won't get any frost until September- probably. That prediciton is up for grabs.

 

Musletman, that first picture that doens't show a tail, looks more like a rock chuck standing up than like any squirrel I've seen - other than a Columbian Ground Squirrel that we call gophers. The red face & throat makes him look like a rock chuck.

 

[musketman]

I know, but I got the picture from a squirrel search...

Kind of wondered that myself...

Oh well, shoot it anyway... :winking:

 

[RussB]

Ah, squirrels! I love 'em! Unfortunately here in the Pacific Northwest they just ain't!
They ain't here, and the few that are here ain't fit to eat.
We do have squirrels, but not the kind you fry up with a nice side of biscuits and gravy, and get yer chin all greasy with.
As far as I can tell, our squirrels are just fer lookin. The game reg's clearly state the "Western Red" is protected, and I can't tell one species from the other...They all look like twins, and are awful puny compared to the eastern variety, you see one, you've seen 'em all. From their habitat, I would suspect they might just taste like an overdone pine cone, if one was tempted to try frying one up.
While in Virginia I got the "squirrel bug", big time! A few years back a few of us old retirees got together in Jackson, Mississippi for a muzzle loading squirrel hunt. If memory serves me right the limit was 12 squirrels each, and thankfully there was no limit on the fun we had.
Of all the hunting I've done, and there has been a bunch, I have to rate the lowly squirrel right at the top of the heap! It is indeed great fun! You folks who live where the Grey Squirrel hangs out are lucky. Elk and Mulies may sound like a lot of fun, and it is fun, but it's mostly hard work. Squirrel hunting is laid back, and soothing to the soul, kinda' thing that makes cats purr, I suspect.
Ain't got no leaves to fall, but this dry spell has sure put the pine needles on the ground, and even that stirs the mood for this upcoming season.
I guess "antsy" is a good word. It'll work for me. :m2c:
Russ

 

[Stumpkiller]

I went up the back hill yesterday to poke around and sling some lead. I had my .50, and the mosquitoes were out BIG TIME. Makes concentrating on a target tough. Wish I'd a brought my shotgun, 'cause I was wingin lots of 'em but not bringing 'em down. Even with NY skeeters a body shot on a flyin target is tough. We need a couple frosts to stiffen 'em up so it's hatchet work to swat 'em.

 

[Keith]

Mosquitoes! I live a couple of miles from Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. That is just one big swamp.

Unfortunately, bow season opens first here. I like to hunt then, but I rather have a muzzleloader than a bow. At least I can shoot the bow in my backyard.

I never hunted squirrels, but ya'll talked me into trying it.

 

[RussB]

"Firends don't let friends shoot inlines."

.........can't remember when I've laughed so hard!
:crackup: :crackup:

I have absolutely nothing in this world against those who prefer inlines, or should I say "most people" who own inlines...at least they are shooting. And, I have nothing against Ford trucks....they go from point A to point B....sometimes.
But, my know it all son-in-law owns a Ford truck, along with an inline...and I guess you can see what's coming next.
I'm sure there are laws regarding plagiarism, so let's just say I intend to borrow this little saying for a bit.
Russ