Weather change brings sense of renewal for outdoorsmen

TRAPPERS REPORT ™

Trapping Conservation and Self-Reliance News

Weather change brings sense of renewal for outdoorsmen Mar 18, 2019 08:55 ET Original: Weather change brings sense of renewal for outdoorsmen [Reprinted from original] On the great progression of time and things to do, one season ends and another begins. March is a month of change in weather, temperature and outdoor pursuits and, this year in particular, we seem to be hitting days where it all happens at once. Two days last week are a prime example. Last Wednesday and Thursday the great annual exodus happened as the migratory Canada geese picked up and began their long journey north. Their patterns have been changing for the past few weeks and some days it seemed as if they'd already left, as morning silence replaced the normal cacophony of honking. But those days were mere fake-outs. Last week there was no mistake. When you spend a lot of time around geese you can definitely hear differences in what they are saying. For those two days last week the goose talk changed, becoming more excited, agitated, even boisterous. You could hear the excitement in their honking as the adventure was set to begin. For two days the early morning hours were filled with happy goose sounds, the low skies were full of large flocks rising and heading north and the upper altitudes were packed with flocks winging away with purpose. You would think those same days would be sad for goose hunters as it marks the final end to another hunting season. You would expect it to be even sadder for those amongst us who have seen many seasons and realize how quickly they pass. But that's rarely the case. Even when they leave the geese leave us with hope. Hope for the next season. Hope that the birds find great weather in the northern lands, lay lots of eggs and raise innumerable healthy goslings. Hope that we all get to meet again in the fall. Those same two days last week brought hope in other ways, too. On the same mornings the geese were leaving the woods, came the filling gobble of excited wild turkeys. The winter flocks are breaking up and those birds are moving into their spring nesting and breeding areas. The big Toms are strutting and gobbling and turkey hunters are getting excited. One season turns into the next. Those same two days brought warm temperatures and sunny skies, bringing fishing to the thoughts and plans of anglers. Back road bridges saw an influx of locals and visitors armed with rods and reels hoping for white or yellow perch, fat catfish, or maybe a delicious snakehead. One season has ended, but in the blink of an eye another has begun. Whether you are enjoying the waning moments of one pursuit or the opening bell of another, get outside and do it. These moments of change go by too fast and you don't want to miss them. More Muskrats: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced an extension to the muskrat trapping season for all Shore counties. The normal ending date is March 15, but due to some unfavorable weather conditions the season this year has been extended one week, through March 22. Outdoor Calendar March 30-31: Delmarva Heritage Days Decoy and Carving Show, Delmarva Discovery Center, Pocomoke City. Ww.delmarvaheritagedays.com Through March 31: Delaware crow season, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Through April 5: Virginia conservation order snow/light goose season. April 6: Delaware youth and disabled wild turkey hunt. April 6-7: Virginia youth and apprentice wild turkey hunt. Through April 12: Delaware conservation order snow/light goose season. April 13-14: Maryland youth turkey hunt, Sunday in limited counties and areas. April 13 - May 11: Delaware spring wild turkey season. April 13 - May 19: Virginia spring wild turkey season. Through April 15: Maryland conservation order snow/light goose season. April 18 - May 23: Maryland spring wild turkey season, Sundays in limited areas. April 20 - May 15: Maryland Chesapeake spring striped bass trophy season, one per day, 35 inch minimum, main Bay only. Through April 30: Maryland tidal water chain pickerel season closed. Through June 15: Maryland tidal water largemouth bass size limit increases to 15 inches, freshwater/non-tidal closed.

Weather change brings sense of renewal for outdoorsmen Mar 18, 2019 08:55 ET Original: Weather change brings sense of renewal for outdoorsmen [Reprinted from original] On the great progression of time and things to do, one season ends and another begins. March is a month of change in weather, temperature and outdoor pursuits and, this year in particular, we seem to be hitting days where it all happens at once. Two days last week are a prime example. Last Wednesday and Thursday the great annual exodus happened as the migratory Canada geese picked up and began their long journey north. Their patterns have been changing for the past few weeks and some days it seemed as if they'd already left, as morning silence replaced the normal cacophony of honking. But those days were mere fake-outs. Last week there was no mistake. When you spend a lot of time around geese you can definitely hear differences in what they are saying. For those two days last week the goose talk changed, becoming more excited, agitated, even boisterous. You could hear the excitement in their honking as the adventure was set to begin. For two days the early morning hours were filled with happy goose sounds, the low skies were full of large flocks rising and heading north and the upper altitudes were packed with flocks winging away with purpose. You would think those same days would be sad for goose hunters as it marks the final end to another hunting season. You would expect it to be even sadder for those amongst us who have seen many seasons and realize how quickly they pass. But that's rarely the case. Even when they leave the geese leave us with hope. Hope for the next season. Hope that the birds find great weather in the northern lands, lay lots of eggs and raise innumerable healthy goslings. Hope that we all get to meet again in the fall. Those same two days last week brought hope in other ways, too. On the same mornings the geese were leaving the woods, came the filling gobble of excited wild turkeys. The winter flocks are breaking up and those birds are moving into their spring nesting and breeding areas. The big Toms are strutting and gobbling and turkey hunters are getting excited. One season turns into the next. Those same two days brought warm temperatures and sunny skies, bringing fishing to the thoughts and plans of anglers. Back road bridges saw an influx of locals and visitors armed with rods and reels hoping for white or yellow perch, fat catfish, or maybe a delicious snakehead. One season has ended, but in the blink of an eye another has begun. Whether you are enjoying the waning moments of one pursuit or the opening bell of another, get outside and do it. These moments of change go by too fast and you don't want to miss them. More Muskrats: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced an extension to the muskrat trapping season for all Shore counties. The normal ending date is March 15, but due to some unfavorable weather conditions the season this year has been extended one week, through March 22. Outdoor Calendar March 30-31: Delmarva Heritage Days Decoy and Carving Show, Delmarva Discovery Center, Pocomoke City. Ww.delmarvaheritagedays.com Through March 31: Delaware crow season, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Through April 5: Virginia conservation order snow/light goose season. April 6: Delaware youth and disabled wild turkey hunt. April 6-7: Virginia youth and apprentice wild turkey hunt. Through April 12: Delaware conservation order snow/light goose season. April 13-14: Maryland youth turkey hunt, Sunday in limited counties and areas. April 13 - May 11: Delaware spring wild turkey season. April 13 - May 19: Virginia spring wild turkey season. Through April 15: Maryland conservation order snow/light goose season. April 18 - May 23: Maryland spring wild turkey season, Sundays in limited areas. April 20 - May 15: Maryland Chesapeake spring striped bass trophy season, one per day, 35 inch minimum, main Bay only. Through April 30: Maryland tidal water chain pickerel season closed. Through June 15: Maryland tidal water largemouth bass size limit increases to 15 inches, freshwater/non-tidal closed.