Hunting Fever

I don’t know why for sure. Maybe it’s because of the insane amount of ticks that are keeping me out of the woods most of this summer, limiting my excursions to slow drives down backroads. Maybe it is the book I am reading called Buck Capers that is more of a collection of short stories, memories and adventures that the author has aquired over years of hunting the prestigious whitetail deer. Maybe it is the fact that our weather recently has been more like those nice October days rather than the middle of July. Maybe it is simply that I am getting excited for the November deer season.

Whitetail Watching

I spent the better part of this evening driving around the backroads looking for inspiration for the next great photo. Unlike usual, however, instead of heading up north on 73 and hitting the backroads I grew up on, I decided to stick a little closer to home here in Hibbing. I don’t think I went further and 5 or 6 miles out of town at any given point. As luck would have it I ended up having a very good picture night for wildlife right from the drivers seat of my car.

Bambi, Thumper and Smokey all in one day!

This afternoon/evening after work I headed out towards my parents to enjoy a visit and a nice drive in the late evening to attempt to capture a few images of some wildlife in their summer splendor. I wasn’t very successful in the photo department however I did manage to spot a nice little variety of Northern Minnesota wildlife.

As the big weekend approaches..

One week from today and the madness will ensue. The 2007 Minnesota Fishing Opener is exactly one week from today and already you can sort of see the fever building in the area. People seem to be a little more restless. You can find them by the droves in the sporting good stores and sections of bigger stores like WalMart, all making those last minute preparations for that first cast of the year. For some that means a little replenishing of the tackle box. Maybe some sinkers or jigs for one, getting the reels respooled with fresh line for another and yet another is picking up a new lifejacket or maybe that hot new fishing gadget that all the magazine “experts” are saying is a brand new must have.

For myself, I don’t plan on getting out at all. In fact I typically will avoid going out on the opening weekend or so just because things are so crazy. I don’t like to fish when there are so many people out that you could practically walk across the lake, hopping from one boat to the next, and never get wet. You could say I am avoiding the modern day “Walk on Water” syndrome that sweeps the area for the first week or so.

I actually have not been fishing at all for probably at least 9 years. Not because I have given up on it or didn’t want too. There is no story of a big frustration that happened and caused me to walk away from it for so long. Basically it boils down to the simple fact that up until this year I just didn’t have the time to go. Between work or college or both in many cases, as well as the band I was in for all those years, I simply didn’t have an opportunity to get out and go.

Honestly, I am hoping this year is different and that I can get a chance to go on the weekends with my family. Well, when they aren’t driving 6 or 7 hours up into Canada that is. The opportunity should be there as there is no more band for me, been out of school for going on 3 years now and just a Monday through Friday job that leaves my weekends free most of the times.

Because I have spent some time hoping to get out there this year, getting more and more excited about it each time the thought dances across my mind, I have come to a startling and somewhat unsettling conclusion. I was trying to think of the last fish I caught, what was it, how big, heck what trip was I on and was I on this lake or that lake? I honestly can’t remember. I think I have it narrowed down to either being a trip up to a little lake in Canada that we used to portage into, I believe it is called Sassaquee(No, I have no idea if that is spelled correctly), or else a not so serious day trip made with some friends up on Pelican Lake near Orr, MN. The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards the day trip up to Pelican Lake. If that is the case we really didn’t catch anything other than a few small perch and maybe some bluegills and sunfish, along with a nice solid sunburn! Like I said, that really wasn’t what I would call anything even remotely resembling “fishing”. We rented a house boat for the day and just kind of bopped around the lake shooting the breeze, occasionally remembering to throw the line in the water.

The bottom line is that it has been way too long since I have been out on a lake to enjoy a good old fashioned fishing trip and I am going to do everything I can to make it happen this summer. Even if it is just a short weekend trip up to Rainy Lake on the Minnesota/Canada border with my folks.

Oh and for the record, when I am browsing through the sporting goods departments and stores, my purchase that I need to make before I can hit the lake is a new rod and reel…..in case you were wondering!

Great Article about hunting.

I recently read a fantastic article, well more of a non-fiction story, in the recent issue of Peterson’s Bowhunter Magazine. If you can get your hands on it, I would highly suggest checking it out. The story is about a young man who grew up bowhunting with his father. This was a very special activity that they shared and something that helped to bring them very close. How many of you have been brought closer to family because of a shared passion for hunting or fishing? Anyhow, the young man’s father has recently passed away and he is trying to deal with the grief. In the process he is recalling some special moments they had, mainly when the young man shot his first deer bowhunting. I won’t say too much more about it because it should be read instead of just my poor summary here!

I think this story really hit home with me, and in some ways is a reason I decided to start this site, because from the story it sounds like the young man is roughly my age and it really made me remember those moments that I have had with my Dad. My first deer with the family 30-30 that had been passed on to me or the first trip I made with my Dad and uncle’s up to Canada Lake Trout Fishing. God willing, my Dad will be around for many more years, but I know that when that time comes I can always cherish those memories, as well as enjoy making more every time we enjoy the outdoors together, and nobody and nothing can ever take that away from me.

I can only hope that someday when I have children of my own, I can pass my own memories on to my children for them to cherish for years after I am gone.

Nice evening at Carey Lake

Well, I went off in search of some mallard ducks to take pictures of and ended up getting shots of muskrats and beavers close to shore. The only ducks I managed to shoot were way out in the middle of the lake eating, along with a pair of loons.

The added bonus was that I got some great sunset and reflection pictures at the lake. Being able to witness a great sunset is always relaxing but I think even more so when it is on or near a nice calm lake. Everything just feels bigger and brighter, drawing you in just that much more. On the way out from the lake I even managed so see a couple deer that were roaming the campsites, thinking they had the place to themselves by that time of night!

All in all, it was a very relaxing evening that resulted in some pretty good pictures being shot as well.

The Outdoorsman

My goal with The Outdoorsman is to share my thoughts, experiences and insights on all things dealing with Minnesota Outdoors. Whether it is hunting, fishing or even just enjoying a nice walk in our scenic state, I will share my adventures with you here.

Some entries may be journal-esque, others informative and I’m sure I will have my share of stories from the past to share with you as well.

I hope to make this a site where fellow outdoorsman can share stories, thoughts and more; so don’t be shy when you visit. I’d love to hear about your experiences also!

For now, though, I am off to see if I can shoot some pictures of a few Mallards before dark!

Enjoy the outdoors!