09-18-2003, 01:08 PM
Let's start a new subject, and this one should be interesting to all. As you trek through the woods on the way to your favorite fishing hole, does anyone notice the forest critters preparing for an early winter? Are the fish stocking up on calories before ice-over? Even looking out your windows at home, what are the animals doing?
I may be a watcher-of-people but I also watch animals doing what they do best -- survive. There's no better way to learn the basics than watching the experts. In another post, I mentioned watching a Ma bear and her cubs filling up on groceries, picking the berry vines clean and rooting around for grubs. Not their normal grazing either but actually fishing in the stream for fresh meat, something they don't do until it's getting close to hibernation time. Sure wish I'd had my camera with me, the one with a long, long telescopic lense. Even Forest Rangers have reported early kills of deer and elk in the higher elevations by bear and mountain lions (Yes, Colorado does have those big kitty cats also). And insects are building their winter nests earlier than usual. If a trout could grow a fur coat, I do believe that this would be the year for it.
There's been times when the fishing has been slow, everybody has those times, so you just lean back against a tree and watch the surroundings. Blank everything from your mind and just listen, eyes closed. That's when the outdoors really comes to life. I do that frequently. How did I know there was something big coming? A Bluejay told me. They are the best alarm there is, and cheap. That Bluejay told me that bear was coming long before I spotted her, I just didn't know it would be a Black Bear with two cubs. Even a .357 Magnum won't discourage a mad momma bear protecting her young.
Squirrels are another good indication of impending weather. I've been watching several squirrels around my place scampering about looking for food, and even burying it under the tree in my front yard. They have already started to grow their winter coats, it's bulkier than their summer coats.
Now please don't tell me that I'm the only one who watches the animals out in the wild. It should be second nature to anyone who is outdoors, whether hunter or fisherman. I'd be very interested in hearing how the animals in your neck of the woods are reacting to the changing weather. It could benefit all of us.
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I may be a watcher-of-people but I also watch animals doing what they do best -- survive. There's no better way to learn the basics than watching the experts. In another post, I mentioned watching a Ma bear and her cubs filling up on groceries, picking the berry vines clean and rooting around for grubs. Not their normal grazing either but actually fishing in the stream for fresh meat, something they don't do until it's getting close to hibernation time. Sure wish I'd had my camera with me, the one with a long, long telescopic lense. Even Forest Rangers have reported early kills of deer and elk in the higher elevations by bear and mountain lions (Yes, Colorado does have those big kitty cats also). And insects are building their winter nests earlier than usual. If a trout could grow a fur coat, I do believe that this would be the year for it.
There's been times when the fishing has been slow, everybody has those times, so you just lean back against a tree and watch the surroundings. Blank everything from your mind and just listen, eyes closed. That's when the outdoors really comes to life. I do that frequently. How did I know there was something big coming? A Bluejay told me. They are the best alarm there is, and cheap. That Bluejay told me that bear was coming long before I spotted her, I just didn't know it would be a Black Bear with two cubs. Even a .357 Magnum won't discourage a mad momma bear protecting her young.
Squirrels are another good indication of impending weather. I've been watching several squirrels around my place scampering about looking for food, and even burying it under the tree in my front yard. They have already started to grow their winter coats, it's bulkier than their summer coats.
Now please don't tell me that I'm the only one who watches the animals out in the wild. It should be second nature to anyone who is outdoors, whether hunter or fisherman. I'd be very interested in hearing how the animals in your neck of the woods are reacting to the changing weather. It could benefit all of us.
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