I continue to struggle during Virginia's urban archery season. This morning (Saturday) I was on stand an hour before shooting light, hoping to make sure that I did not bump any deer coming to my Roanoke County stand. I succeeded in that task and then spent the next hour in the dark not hearing any deer and the first five hours of daylight not seeing any.
I decided to go home for lunch and a nap and was back on stand shortly after 3:00 P.M. I had moved the stand about 10 yards and felt like I had make the logical decision as I was right where two travel lanes crossed with food along both of them.
However, the deer were not impressed with my logic and I spent the evening watching whitetail after whitetail pass by me, seven in all, just out of shooting range. Finally at around 7:15, a doe and a fawn came within shooting range, I drew back, but could not release the arrow because it was simply too dark to attempt an ethical shot.
After the duo departed and I climbed down from my hang-on, I moved the stand to the tree where all the previous deer passed by. I am hoping this little change will pay off on Wednesday when I return to the property. I am very, very frustrated.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
My Bowhunting Week (Blog One hundred-two)
It was not a good bowhunting week, continuing the unsuccessful start profiled in last week's commentary on opening day. On Labor Day Monday, I went afield before dawn at a Roanoke County farm. However after a buggy morning of multiple insect bites and no deer sighted, I retreated home. Before leaving, I scouted the farm and could find no deer sign at all. I won't be returning there this month.
On Wednesday evening, I finally saw my first deer of the season. Around 7:30, just before shooting light would start to wane, a four pointer led four does and fawns toward my stand. But at a distance of 60 yards, the wind changed, the buck detected my existence, and the entire quintet fled back the way it came.
Friday evening I tried again on the same farm as the Wednesday misadventure. This time a mature doe led her two fawns toward my stand. I drew back, feeling the doe would soon come within the 20 yard shooting range that I have. However, for some inexplicable reason, my bow string chose that moment to come off, sending the arrow falling to the ground and the deer fleeing. I have never had such a thing happen.
Right now as I write, the weather is rainy and breezy, and I am doubtful of being able to go hunting Saturday evening. Next week has to be better.
On Wednesday evening, I finally saw my first deer of the season. Around 7:30, just before shooting light would start to wane, a four pointer led four does and fawns toward my stand. But at a distance of 60 yards, the wind changed, the buck detected my existence, and the entire quintet fled back the way it came.
Friday evening I tried again on the same farm as the Wednesday misadventure. This time a mature doe led her two fawns toward my stand. I drew back, feeling the doe would soon come within the 20 yard shooting range that I have. However, for some inexplicable reason, my bow string chose that moment to come off, sending the arrow falling to the ground and the deer fleeing. I have never had such a thing happen.
Right now as I write, the weather is rainy and breezy, and I am doubtful of being able to go hunting Saturday evening. Next week has to be better.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Deer Season Begins (Blog One Hundred and One)
Today was the first day of deer season and the whole thing was rather surreal. I have never hunted this early (today is September 1) except for a trip I took to the South Carolina Low Country in 1989 where the season begins in mid August.
But this year, Roanoke County has an urban archery season that began today. I arose at 4:30, drove 20 or so miles from my Botetourt County home to the next county over, Roanoke, and climbed into a tree stand and affixed the safety harness.
At 6:30 A.M., I could glimpse a rabbit 35 yards from me and a few minutes later, squirrels started cutting on oak and hickory nuts. But as the hours passed and the temperature continue to rise, the heat definitely became oppressive. Meanwhile, no deer showed.
Finally at 9:50, I descended from the tree and walked over the Roanoke County suburban lot that I was afield on. A series of houses, all on approximately five-acre lots, surrounded the property I was on and none of them had deer on them, or least seemed to have any from my vantage point.
By 10:30, I was on my way home, totally baffled about how to go about this suburban deer hunting exercise. I will try again Monday, weather permitting.
But this year, Roanoke County has an urban archery season that began today. I arose at 4:30, drove 20 or so miles from my Botetourt County home to the next county over, Roanoke, and climbed into a tree stand and affixed the safety harness.
At 6:30 A.M., I could glimpse a rabbit 35 yards from me and a few minutes later, squirrels started cutting on oak and hickory nuts. But as the hours passed and the temperature continue to rise, the heat definitely became oppressive. Meanwhile, no deer showed.
Finally at 9:50, I descended from the tree and walked over the Roanoke County suburban lot that I was afield on. A series of houses, all on approximately five-acre lots, surrounded the property I was on and none of them had deer on them, or least seemed to have any from my vantage point.
By 10:30, I was on my way home, totally baffled about how to go about this suburban deer hunting exercise. I will try again Monday, weather permitting.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
My 100th Blog (Blog One Hundred)
When I started writing a weekly blog nearly two years ago, I began numbering the entries, a habit I have maintained. Although I don't have anything earth shatteringly profound to comment on today as part of blog one hundred, I would like to return to a common theme on this site - my passion for the outdoors.
This morning when I took my daily walk of three miles, which is both great exercise and a source of daily renewal, I found, like most mornings, sublime pleasure in observing nature. This morning, I let out the chickens before I left home, so dawn had already broken. Still, I heard two screech owls taking the opportunity to utter their piercing screams at each other before going to roost for the day.
Next, I came across two wide-eyed fawns, which couldn't quite decide whether to stare at me, stomp one of their front feet at me, or flee. Finally, their mother arrived and they followed her lead - they fled.
Another 80 yards or so of walking brought me to a field where 19 turkeys were searching for various insects and the odd wild seed or plant. I noted two adult turkeys and 17 young, although it is becoming harder and harder to determine which flock member is a young bird and which is the flock hen. Soon there will be no telling apart by size.
I then flushed a dove off the road, reminding me that dove season will be here in a week and then heard several gray squirrels barking at each other. In squirrel language, each was probably proclaiming that this particular stand of mockernut hickories was off limits to the other - a warning unlikely to be heeded.
When I arrived back home, it was time to work on a magazine article. I would have loved to have lingered outside longer, this being a Saturday, but the Lyme disease that I am currently battling has stolen a lot of my energy. Hopefully, I will be back to normal in a month or so.
This morning when I took my daily walk of three miles, which is both great exercise and a source of daily renewal, I found, like most mornings, sublime pleasure in observing nature. This morning, I let out the chickens before I left home, so dawn had already broken. Still, I heard two screech owls taking the opportunity to utter their piercing screams at each other before going to roost for the day.
Next, I came across two wide-eyed fawns, which couldn't quite decide whether to stare at me, stomp one of their front feet at me, or flee. Finally, their mother arrived and they followed her lead - they fled.
Another 80 yards or so of walking brought me to a field where 19 turkeys were searching for various insects and the odd wild seed or plant. I noted two adult turkeys and 17 young, although it is becoming harder and harder to determine which flock member is a young bird and which is the flock hen. Soon there will be no telling apart by size.
I then flushed a dove off the road, reminding me that dove season will be here in a week and then heard several gray squirrels barking at each other. In squirrel language, each was probably proclaiming that this particular stand of mockernut hickories was off limits to the other - a warning unlikely to be heeded.
When I arrived back home, it was time to work on a magazine article. I would have loved to have lingered outside longer, this being a Saturday, but the Lyme disease that I am currently battling has stolen a lot of my energy. Hopefully, I will be back to normal in a month or so.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Dealing with Lyme Disease (Blog Ninety-nine)
Thirty days ago I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and would not wish this affliction on anyone. My symptom was a tingling sensation in my left toes. Three weeks later when my right toes started tingling, too, I decided it was time to visit my family physician. A blood test was given and a week later the results were in that I had tested positive.
The medicine I am on is doxycycline. It is potent stuff and it makes me nauseous almost every time I take it. To counter the nausea, I try to wake up in the middle of the night and take a pill, hopefully falling asleep before the nausea kicks in. During the summer, I would take the pill around 1:00 P.M., then take a nap - again hoping to avoid the queasiness.
Another effect of being on this medication is that my doctor told me I should avoid sunlight. This, of course, has ruined my summertime river smallmouth fishing. But such is the nature of things and I just have to deal with the no fishing edict.
The tick bite that I believe gave me the disease took place in mid April while I was doing a magazine story in Augusta County, Virginia. The day was a blustery, cold one, but I arrived home with two ticks on me, one of which was attached. Of course, it is difficult to know for sure if that was the tick that was the cause for my ailment.
The only good thing to come from my illness is that I have been able to do a great deal of writing. I finished my fifth book, which is on the South Branch of the Potomac and the upper Potomac, and it should hopefully be out early in 2013. Since I couldn't go outside, I decided to make good use of my time.
Elaine and I always thoroughly check each other every time, truly every time, we come in from the outdoors. Yet, doing so was not good enough to avoid my coming down with Lyme Disease. As I have always thought and said, ticks are the creatures I fear most in the outdoors.
The medicine I am on is doxycycline. It is potent stuff and it makes me nauseous almost every time I take it. To counter the nausea, I try to wake up in the middle of the night and take a pill, hopefully falling asleep before the nausea kicks in. During the summer, I would take the pill around 1:00 P.M., then take a nap - again hoping to avoid the queasiness.
Another effect of being on this medication is that my doctor told me I should avoid sunlight. This, of course, has ruined my summertime river smallmouth fishing. But such is the nature of things and I just have to deal with the no fishing edict.
The tick bite that I believe gave me the disease took place in mid April while I was doing a magazine story in Augusta County, Virginia. The day was a blustery, cold one, but I arrived home with two ticks on me, one of which was attached. Of course, it is difficult to know for sure if that was the tick that was the cause for my ailment.
The only good thing to come from my illness is that I have been able to do a great deal of writing. I finished my fifth book, which is on the South Branch of the Potomac and the upper Potomac, and it should hopefully be out early in 2013. Since I couldn't go outside, I decided to make good use of my time.
Elaine and I always thoroughly check each other every time, truly every time, we come in from the outdoors. Yet, doing so was not good enough to avoid my coming down with Lyme Disease. As I have always thought and said, ticks are the creatures I fear most in the outdoors.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Chickens Love Whole Wheat Bagels (Blog Ninety-eight)
It's not good to keep secrets from your wife, but I must confess that I have not told Elaine why our five hens have enthusiastically followed me everywhere for the past week when I have let them out for their daily hour of free ranging about our yard. Our 38-acre parcel is mostly wooded, and I have counted 13 different predators that frequent our land, so we only let out our hens when they can be supervised by us.
Our chickens are rarely ready go back to their run when their hour has passed - until I hit upon the idea of while they are out, periodically dropping whole wheat bagel bits on the ground. There are certain foods that our quartet's members have a frenzied passion to consume. Corn on the cob would be number one beyond a doubt, but one can not carry corn cobs in his pocket.
Whole wheat bagels rank second to corn, though (and fit much better in pockets) and whenever I give the food call, "lookie-lookie" and toss bagel bits on the ground, they all come running.
The other day (I know this is devious) I gave the food call, dropped the tidbits, the chickens came running, and then we all paraded by Elaine. I bragged that the chickens were so obedient to me and why oh why could they not be so dutiful to her.
Elaine is puzzled by my suddenly being in such command of our birds. However, I have a feeling that this will soon change.
Our chickens are rarely ready go back to their run when their hour has passed - until I hit upon the idea of while they are out, periodically dropping whole wheat bagel bits on the ground. There are certain foods that our quartet's members have a frenzied passion to consume. Corn on the cob would be number one beyond a doubt, but one can not carry corn cobs in his pocket.
Whole wheat bagels rank second to corn, though (and fit much better in pockets) and whenever I give the food call, "lookie-lookie" and toss bagel bits on the ground, they all come running.
The other day (I know this is devious) I gave the food call, dropped the tidbits, the chickens came running, and then we all paraded by Elaine. I bragged that the chickens were so obedient to me and why oh why could they not be so dutiful to her.
Elaine is puzzled by my suddenly being in such command of our birds. However, I have a feeling that this will soon change.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Night Sounds (Blog Ninety-seven)
During the heat of the summer, and we've had a hot one here in Botetourt County, Virginia, I have taken to walking before sunrise, specifically the last hour before the sun starts to rise and I have to unlock the hen house to let the chickens into their run. One of the enjoyable things about walking in the dark is listening to the night sounds.
For example, the 30 minutes before first light is a time when the last sounds of the night birds merge with the first ones of the diurnal ones. Great-horned owls (shown below) are still making their haunting hoots and one morning, I heard two screech owls emitting their piercing whistles at each other.
Soon the cardinals chime in, as the redbird is an early riser if there ever was one. Carolina wrens are often the next to make music, but the sound the male most often seems to make is the call note to his mate. Soon she answers back with her "whirring" response.
Perhaps the most vocal bird, even with the advent of August, is the indigo bunting. The male indigo belts out his explosion of notes as if he himself were about to explode. How and why does he sing so loud and so often even during the heat of August?
But August is also a time when the dawn period is one of the quietest of the year. Most birds have stopped singing now, mating and the rearing of young are both just about over. And all too soon some species will even be starting to migrate, the barn and rough-winged swallows will be among the first to depart. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the night sounds on my early, early ramblings.
For example, the 30 minutes before first light is a time when the last sounds of the night birds merge with the first ones of the diurnal ones. Great-horned owls (shown below) are still making their haunting hoots and one morning, I heard two screech owls emitting their piercing whistles at each other.
Soon the cardinals chime in, as the redbird is an early riser if there ever was one. Carolina wrens are often the next to make music, but the sound the male most often seems to make is the call note to his mate. Soon she answers back with her "whirring" response.
Perhaps the most vocal bird, even with the advent of August, is the indigo bunting. The male indigo belts out his explosion of notes as if he himself were about to explode. How and why does he sing so loud and so often even during the heat of August?
But August is also a time when the dawn period is one of the quietest of the year. Most birds have stopped singing now, mating and the rearing of young are both just about over. And all too soon some species will even be starting to migrate, the barn and rough-winged swallows will be among the first to depart. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the night sounds on my early, early ramblings.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Casting for Recovery (Blog Ninety-six)
We live to support Casting for Recovery, a national organization helping women recover from breast cancer, every chance that we have. Recently we received this e-mail from Mollie Simpkins, a volunteer for CFR and decided to use Mollie's comments in this week's blog.
Dear Friend of CFR,
It has taken over a year, but an article that has been in the works has finally been published in Virginia Wildlife Magazine....HOORAY!
For the participants, River Helpers, and staff who were part of the 2011 Virginia Retreat will remember Bruce and his wife Elaine lurking quietly..and not so much at times.. asking you to take off your hat or to hold the fish just so. I remember the day vividly for various reasons.
One thing that Bruce does allude to was his wife's diagnosis with breast cancer and how CFR 'revitalized' her. With that Bruce did an absolutely spectacular job in capturing the essence and spirit of Casting for Recovery and the purpose of the retreats.
You have been included in this email because you are one of our many wonderful supporters and/or volunteers or one of the over 300 amazing women who have attended a Casting for Recovery Retreat in the Mid-Atlantic. As the program continues to grow in many ways, we recognize that we would not be successful if not for the selflessness of our volunteers and the many women, who after attending a retreat, return to be part of the program. With that, we all thank you so very much for your continued support.
I urge you to share this article with anyone and everyone who might just need a feel good story. Virginia Wildlife Magazine - Casting for Recovery
Also..if you know of a women who has or has had breast cancer and lives in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, DC. and you feel as though she could benefit from attending a no cost Casting for Recovery retreat, we are taking applications for the Maryland retreat through August 3rd. The retreat itself will be held in Flintstone and Hagerstown, Maryland October 12-14. She can apply online..here: http://castingforrecovery.org/retreat-schedule
Again..thank you for your part in CFR..large or small..we truly could not continue the work without your support.
Mollie
Dear Friend of CFR,
It has taken over a year, but an article that has been in the works has finally been published in Virginia Wildlife Magazine....HOORAY!
For the participants, River Helpers, and staff who were part of the 2011 Virginia Retreat will remember Bruce and his wife Elaine lurking quietly..and not so much at times.. asking you to take off your hat or to hold the fish just so. I remember the day vividly for various reasons.
One thing that Bruce does allude to was his wife's diagnosis with breast cancer and how CFR 'revitalized' her. With that Bruce did an absolutely spectacular job in capturing the essence and spirit of Casting for Recovery and the purpose of the retreats.
You have been included in this email because you are one of our many wonderful supporters and/or volunteers or one of the over 300 amazing women who have attended a Casting for Recovery Retreat in the Mid-Atlantic. As the program continues to grow in many ways, we recognize that we would not be successful if not for the selflessness of our volunteers and the many women, who after attending a retreat, return to be part of the program. With that, we all thank you so very much for your continued support.
I urge you to share this article with anyone and everyone who might just need a feel good story. Virginia Wildlife Magazine - Casting for Recovery
Also..if you know of a women who has or has had breast cancer and lives in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, DC. and you feel as though she could benefit from attending a no cost Casting for Recovery retreat, we are taking applications for the Maryland retreat through August 3rd. The retreat itself will be held in Flintstone and Hagerstown, Maryland October 12-14. She can apply online..here: http://castingforrecovery.org/retreat-schedule
Again..thank you for your part in CFR..large or small..we truly could not continue the work without your support.
Mollie
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Chicken Pecking Order (Blog Ninety-Five)
The picture I have posted on this blog entry shows four of our five hens waiting for me to drop a piece of bread among them. Bread is our chickens' second favorite treat, following only an ear of corn. On the perimeter of the picture frame, you can barely see Violet, last on the pecking order in our chicken run.
Elaine and I have been raising chickens since May of 2011, and one of the most fascinating aspects is the strict pecking order that exists. The alpha female is clearly Ruby with Tallulah a distant second. Tallulah, clearly our smartest chicken, more on that in a later blog, is not as aggressive or as athletic as Ruby, which thinks she can fly (periodically she takes off on low to the ground semi-flights) and definitely can run faster than any of our other hens.
Next on the pecking order, and far behind Tallulah, come Dot and Little Spotty Hen, both of which seem quite content with her station in life. Then far behind those two (even Dot and Little Spotty will occasionally torment the hen last in the pecking order) poor little Violet. I use the word little because Violet is just a tad smaller in size than our other hens. The proverbial statement "size matters" does seem relevant in our run.
In the picture, there is no point in Violet crowding in among the others because if she did her four superiors would thrash her. I guess she will just have to be content with her station in life.
Elaine and I have been raising chickens since May of 2011, and one of the most fascinating aspects is the strict pecking order that exists. The alpha female is clearly Ruby with Tallulah a distant second. Tallulah, clearly our smartest chicken, more on that in a later blog, is not as aggressive or as athletic as Ruby, which thinks she can fly (periodically she takes off on low to the ground semi-flights) and definitely can run faster than any of our other hens.
Next on the pecking order, and far behind Tallulah, come Dot and Little Spotty Hen, both of which seem quite content with her station in life. Then far behind those two (even Dot and Little Spotty will occasionally torment the hen last in the pecking order) poor little Violet. I use the word little because Violet is just a tad smaller in size than our other hens. The proverbial statement "size matters" does seem relevant in our run.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Shenandoah Riverkeeper (Blog Ninety-four)
It is late Saturday evening as I write this, as I just returned home from the annual Shenandoah Riverkeeper Rodeo. The event is held to raise money to support the Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble and the hard work he and the Potomac Riverkeeper's staff to protect and improve the streams that make up the watershed.
This year's event was typical - good natured jousting between Jeff and the audience about the day's tournament where participants were penalized mightily if they caught a largemouth, a blue grass band played throughout the evening, and lots of good food was served.
My favorite part of the function this year and every year is talking to fellow fishermen about what patterns are working on the various rivers and what concerns they have about the health of our Mid- Atlantic rivers.
As always, I held a book signing with part of the proceeds going to benefit the Riverkeeper program. The point of this post is that although the rodeo is over for this year, it is good for river enthusiasts to keep in mind the hard work that the these folks do the entire year. There is no question that the fishing and water quality have improved the past few years - and the Riverkeeper program has more than a little to do with that.
For more information and/or to donate: www.potomacriverkeeper.org/shenandoah.
This year's event was typical - good natured jousting between Jeff and the audience about the day's tournament where participants were penalized mightily if they caught a largemouth, a blue grass band played throughout the evening, and lots of good food was served.
My favorite part of the function this year and every year is talking to fellow fishermen about what patterns are working on the various rivers and what concerns they have about the health of our Mid- Atlantic rivers.
As always, I held a book signing with part of the proceeds going to benefit the Riverkeeper program. The point of this post is that although the rodeo is over for this year, it is good for river enthusiasts to keep in mind the hard work that the these folks do the entire year. There is no question that the fishing and water quality have improved the past few years - and the Riverkeeper program has more than a little to do with that.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Great Power Outage and Blackberry Jam (Blog Ninety-three)
Last Friday night, winds of over 80 mph whipped through our Botetourt Land, knocking out our power for 46 hours until around 7:30 Sunday evening. When the power was restored, Elaine and I were playing scrabble in the fading light that reached our den. We both spontaneously emitted squeals of delight.
We were fortunate to have our power restored so soon, as even as I write this on Thursday, many folks in Southwest Virginia are without electricity. We were also fortunate that a neighbor loaned us his generator for about four hours a day so that we did not lose any of our venison and wild turkey. We had the meat from 7 1/2 deer in our freezer, and it would have been a disaster if the venison had been lost.
This whole affair has caused us to do some planning for the possibility of future outages. We have long had a wood stove which serves as a backup heat source in the wintertime. But we realized that we need to have more bottled water on the premises and a charcoal grill to cook with. Elaine has already purchased a grill and obtained water.
We also have decided to buy a generator and Elaine, who is in charge of researching things in our family, is doing the groundwork for a generator. If readers of our blog have some recommendations in this area, we would appreciate them.
Finally, we have decided to do more canning. Tuesday, I picked two gallons of blackberries and Elaine made jam from them. She also has decided that canning the meat from one deer was not sufficient last year and hopes to can the meat from two whitetails this fall.
Hopefully we will be better prepared next time.
We were fortunate to have our power restored so soon, as even as I write this on Thursday, many folks in Southwest Virginia are without electricity. We were also fortunate that a neighbor loaned us his generator for about four hours a day so that we did not lose any of our venison and wild turkey. We had the meat from 7 1/2 deer in our freezer, and it would have been a disaster if the venison had been lost.
This whole affair has caused us to do some planning for the possibility of future outages. We have long had a wood stove which serves as a backup heat source in the wintertime. But we realized that we need to have more bottled water on the premises and a charcoal grill to cook with. Elaine has already purchased a grill and obtained water.
We also have decided to buy a generator and Elaine, who is in charge of researching things in our family, is doing the groundwork for a generator. If readers of our blog have some recommendations in this area, we would appreciate them.
Finally, we have decided to do more canning. Tuesday, I picked two gallons of blackberries and Elaine made jam from them. She also has decided that canning the meat from one deer was not sufficient last year and hopes to can the meat from two whitetails this fall.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Can Women Outfish Men? (Blog Ninety-two)
The last three summers, I have gone fishing once each summer with Jay and Betty Honse, friends from Fincastle, Virginia. Two of those times were for crappie, the other time was for bluegills. Each time, the trip was part of a magazine article.
The most recent time was this past Tuesday evening at Smith Mountain Lake. On that occasion, as was true on the other two outings, Betty clearly out fished both Jay and me.
It isn't so much that she caught more crappie or bluegills than Jay and I did, it is that she also caught the biggest fish on all three of the trips.
The trend has become so clear that on the Smith Mountain excursion, I found myself, camera in hand, watching what Betty was doing fishing wise, so that I could be prepared when, not if, she caught a nice crappie.
One of the most admirable things about Jay is that he truly enjoys watching his spouse catch big fish. Not many males would be so understanding.
Jay and Betty have invited me to go striper fishing with them sometime. If I have that opportunity, I will be sure to keep my camera ready and trained on Betty. I am betting she won't disappoint. Here's a picture of me admiring a fine Smith Mountain crappie that Betty caught.
The most recent time was this past Tuesday evening at Smith Mountain Lake. On that occasion, as was true on the other two outings, Betty clearly out fished both Jay and me.
It isn't so much that she caught more crappie or bluegills than Jay and I did, it is that she also caught the biggest fish on all three of the trips.
The trend has become so clear that on the Smith Mountain excursion, I found myself, camera in hand, watching what Betty was doing fishing wise, so that I could be prepared when, not if, she caught a nice crappie.
One of the most admirable things about Jay is that he truly enjoys watching his spouse catch big fish. Not many males would be so understanding.
Jay and Betty have invited me to go striper fishing with them sometime. If I have that opportunity, I will be sure to keep my camera ready and trained on Betty. I am betting she won't disappoint. Here's a picture of me admiring a fine Smith Mountain crappie that Betty caught.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Simple Country Joys on a Summer Day (Blog Ninety-one)
My high school English teaching job finished two weeks ago, and this is the first day I have not been swamped with magazine assignments. Today, although I have written a little, I have had time to enjoy those little simple summer joys that living out in the country bring.
First, I went out to gather eggs. However, the chicken Elaine named Little Spotty Hen was on the nest and did not care to be disturbed from her primary duty in life. Then I went to our garden, which is adjacent to the chicken run, and gathered some chives and a sweet white onion for lunch. I am cooking baked potatoes and venison burgers (from a doe I killed last October with my bow) and the chives will go great with the former and the onion with the latter. For dessert, we have the option of cherry preserves (from our North Star cherry tree) or wineberry jam (from vines growing on our land).
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This afternoon, Elaine and I will let the chickens roam in the yard for an hour or so and pick berries. The raspberries are about finished for the year but the wineberries and blackberries are starting to come in. Can I prevail upon Elaine to make a pie or a cobbler? If no pie or cobbler is forthcoming, we will freeze the berries for next summer's desserts.
Nothing of great importance is happening today and that is a really good thing. We love living out in the country.
First, I went out to gather eggs. However, the chicken Elaine named Little Spotty Hen was on the nest and did not care to be disturbed from her primary duty in life. Then I went to our garden, which is adjacent to the chicken run, and gathered some chives and a sweet white onion for lunch. I am cooking baked potatoes and venison burgers (from a doe I killed last October with my bow) and the chives will go great with the former and the onion with the latter. For dessert, we have the option of cherry preserves (from our North Star cherry tree) or wineberry jam (from vines growing on our land).
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This afternoon, Elaine and I will let the chickens roam in the yard for an hour or so and pick berries. The raspberries are about finished for the year but the wineberries and blackberries are starting to come in. Can I prevail upon Elaine to make a pie or a cobbler? If no pie or cobbler is forthcoming, we will freeze the berries for next summer's desserts.
Nothing of great importance is happening today and that is a really good thing. We love living out in the country.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Wood Pile (Blog Ninety)
I now begin my second week of the summer off school, and the first week could not have been any more hectic. I wrote two magazine stories for the Izaak Walton League, worked on a story for Virginia Game & Fish, one for the Quality Deer Management Association, and Elaine and I wrote our Celebrating Venison cooking column for Whitetail Times.
Many people say that I must be fortunate to have a second job that is all about going fishing and hunting, and I am fortunate. But all week, I was too busy sitting in front of the computer to even think about fishing.
Meanwhile, out our kitchen window resides a wood pile that is not nearly as long and as tall as it should be. For months, a black locust tree has been lying on the ground near the wood pile, and the locust needs to join its fellow hardwoods. Some shagbark hickories down at the food plot also have been resting on the ground for too long, and they too need to evolve into firewood.
Also on our 38 acres, several oaks are crying out for Timber Stand Improvement around them, two black locusts, some red maples, and redbuds need to be cut along the drive way in order for the oaks and dogwoods to prosper, and the garden desperately requires mulching. And the wild raspberries are ripe and have to be picked today. Oh, and the chicken coop needs to be cleaned. I have to escape this computer screen today.
Many people say that I must be fortunate to have a second job that is all about going fishing and hunting, and I am fortunate. But all week, I was too busy sitting in front of the computer to even think about fishing.
Meanwhile, out our kitchen window resides a wood pile that is not nearly as long and as tall as it should be. For months, a black locust tree has been lying on the ground near the wood pile, and the locust needs to join its fellow hardwoods. Some shagbark hickories down at the food plot also have been resting on the ground for too long, and they too need to evolve into firewood.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
New River Land Trust and the Friths (Blog Eighty-nine)
Last autumn, the New River Land Trust (NRLT), as part of a fund raiser, auctioned off a canoe trip with me on the New River. For those unfamiliar with land trusts, they seek to preserve America's open spaces through having landowners voluntarily place their rural properties under conservation easements.
I am a member of the NRLT and the Western Virginia Land Trust and am a great admirer of what they are accomplishing. Elaine and I have also placed 412 acres of the land we own under easement as a way of protecting wildlife habitat for the future. The high bidders for a trip were Jackie and Earl Frith of Floyd County, Virginia, and today I met the Friths for the first time when we gathered with fellow river enthusiast Brett Moss for a float below Claytor Lake Dam. Like Elaine and me, the Friths have placed many acres under easement and, also like my wife and me, are very glad they have done so.
Earl and I floated together while Brett and Jackie did the same, and a delightful time was had by all. We bird watched, drifted through some mild riffles, and caught a few smallmouth bass. The high point, for me, of the day was watching two male Eastern kingbirds fighting for dominance out in the middle of the river. The aerial battle was short and decisive, as one kingbird left in ignominious retreat.
Whether you live in Southwest Virginia like I do or in any state in the country, chances are that you have local, regional, or state-wide land trusts nearby. For more information on the NRLT: www.newriverlandtrust.org.
I am a member of the NRLT and the Western Virginia Land Trust and am a great admirer of what they are accomplishing. Elaine and I have also placed 412 acres of the land we own under easement as a way of protecting wildlife habitat for the future. The high bidders for a trip were Jackie and Earl Frith of Floyd County, Virginia, and today I met the Friths for the first time when we gathered with fellow river enthusiast Brett Moss for a float below Claytor Lake Dam. Like Elaine and me, the Friths have placed many acres under easement and, also like my wife and me, are very glad they have done so.
Earl and I floated together while Brett and Jackie did the same, and a delightful time was had by all. We bird watched, drifted through some mild riffles, and caught a few smallmouth bass. The high point, for me, of the day was watching two male Eastern kingbirds fighting for dominance out in the middle of the river. The aerial battle was short and decisive, as one kingbird left in ignominious retreat.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Poults Are Hatching (Blog Eighty-eight)
Last night, friend Jerry Paitsel, who operates Struttinbird Turkey Calls, called. The main topic of conversation was the status of the turkey hatch.
For those who enjoy hunting, photographing, or viewing these majestic creatures, the main reason why we will have turkeys to do so is the success or failure of the hatch. Across Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the general Mid-Atlantic, the poults hatch for the most part in late May and early June.
Of course, not all turkeys are born now. Every year there are reports of birds hatching in early to mid May and even late April. And sometimes turkey hens lose their first clutch of eggs and renest in July. But, again, for the most part, now is the time when the young poults hatch.
And the main reason whether the hatch is successful now is the weather. The reason Jerry brought up the topic was that a cold rain fell Friday and the air temperature dipped into the 40s in the Alleghany Mountains of the two Virginias. Newly born turkeys are very susceptible to hypothermia, and many of them may not have survived Friday night.
It will be very interesting to observe how many poults are accompanying hens in the next few weeks. Hopefully, more birds will have hatched out after this past Friday than before.
For those who enjoy hunting, photographing, or viewing these majestic creatures, the main reason why we will have turkeys to do so is the success or failure of the hatch. Across Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the general Mid-Atlantic, the poults hatch for the most part in late May and early June.
Of course, not all turkeys are born now. Every year there are reports of birds hatching in early to mid May and even late April. And sometimes turkey hens lose their first clutch of eggs and renest in July. But, again, for the most part, now is the time when the young poults hatch.
And the main reason whether the hatch is successful now is the weather. The reason Jerry brought up the topic was that a cold rain fell Friday and the air temperature dipped into the 40s in the Alleghany Mountains of the two Virginias. Newly born turkeys are very susceptible to hypothermia, and many of them may not have survived Friday night.
It will be very interesting to observe how many poults are accompanying hens in the next few weeks. Hopefully, more birds will have hatched out after this past Friday than before.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Casting for Recovery Story (Blog Eighty-seven)
Although I have not seen the story yet, I have been told that my latest magazine article on Casting for Recovery (CFR) is out now in the June issue of Virginia Wildlife, the official publication of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. I have done, I think, five magazine articles now on CFR.
Although I had heard of the organization, I had never considered doing a story on it until friend Anthony Hipps of North Carolina suggested that I do so in 2008. I received an assignment shortly afterwards from Wildlife in North Carolina to do a story, and, ironically, shortly after that Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer.
For those unfamiliar with CFR, it offers 2 ½ day retreats in venues around the country where women recovering from breast cancer can receive the latest information on breast cancer, healthy living, networking, making new friends, gaining self-esteem, and to be part of a forum to broaden understanding about breast cancer treatment and enable sharing among participants. Of course, a big part of the getaways is the participants learning how to fly fish.
Elaine attended the 2010 May retreat in Virginia and last May we both went to the May Old Dominion retreat as part of my doing the story for Virginia Wildlife. In short, Elaine's and my experiences with CFR have been overwhelmingly positive and I hope in the years to come I can do many more stories on this marvelous organization. I know CFR aided greatly in my sweet wife's recovery.
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For more information: www.castingforrecovery.org
Although I had heard of the organization, I had never considered doing a story on it until friend Anthony Hipps of North Carolina suggested that I do so in 2008. I received an assignment shortly afterwards from Wildlife in North Carolina to do a story, and, ironically, shortly after that Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer.
For those unfamiliar with CFR, it offers 2 ½ day retreats in venues around the country where women recovering from breast cancer can receive the latest information on breast cancer, healthy living, networking, making new friends, gaining self-esteem, and to be part of a forum to broaden understanding about breast cancer treatment and enable sharing among participants. Of course, a big part of the getaways is the participants learning how to fly fish.
Elaine attended the 2010 May retreat in Virginia and last May we both went to the May Old Dominion retreat as part of my doing the story for Virginia Wildlife. In short, Elaine's and my experiences with CFR have been overwhelmingly positive and I hope in the years to come I can do many more stories on this marvelous organization. I know CFR aided greatly in my sweet wife's recovery.
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Sunday, May 20, 2012
Cherry Picking -and Pitting - Time (Blog Eighty-six)
In our nearly 34 years of marriage, Elaine's and my marriage has evolved to a certain way of doing things. She handles most of the inside-related decisions, most of the outside ones fall to me and so on to a variety of other tasks.
And so it is with our annual May task of picking and pitting cherries. Elaine holds the step ladder while I pick the cherries from our North Star tree while later she pits the berries.
Today for a magazine article we went fly fishing on the Smith River with two local anglers: Al Kittredge and Lisa Hall. Upon arriving home, Elaine told me that she would not be able to pit today because of a sore wrist incurred while fishing. Thus, the cherry picking and pitting fell to me.
It did not take long into the pitting process before I discovered what a rotten job this is. Juice frequently went into my eyes, shirt, and pants as well as into the wall. Some 20 minutes transpired while I was picking a quart of cherries, another 30 went by while I was pitting them.
After a particularly juicy sour cherry sprayed me, Elaine quipped: "Welcome to my world."
Despite the time and effort that goes into picking and pitting cherries, the effort is worth it. Last year our tree produced 5 3/4 gallons of sour cherries, enough for lots of pies, cobblers, and preserves. This year we have picked one gallon so far and it is a little hard to estimate how many more gallons will be picked - though obviously because of environmental factors (a high wind event earlier this month) we will have far fewer quarts than last year.
And so it is with our annual May task of picking and pitting cherries. Elaine holds the step ladder while I pick the cherries from our North Star tree while later she pits the berries.
Today for a magazine article we went fly fishing on the Smith River with two local anglers: Al Kittredge and Lisa Hall. Upon arriving home, Elaine told me that she would not be able to pit today because of a sore wrist incurred while fishing. Thus, the cherry picking and pitting fell to me.
It did not take long into the pitting process before I discovered what a rotten job this is. Juice frequently went into my eyes, shirt, and pants as well as into the wall. Some 20 minutes transpired while I was picking a quart of cherries, another 30 went by while I was pitting them.
After a particularly juicy sour cherry sprayed me, Elaine quipped: "Welcome to my world."
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Chickens in Clothes? (Blog Eighty-five)
If someone had told us one year ago that our “girls” would
be wearing clothes, I would have laughed.
Today as they roam about the yard, one has on camo, one is in denim, and
two are in bright pink. They have begun
wearing chicken aprons, or saddles, to protect them from the clawing of the
rooster Jerry who has been the cause of their feather loss….. his repeated
mountings each day have taken a toll on the girls. We did not buy an apron yet for Little
Spotty, for she alone is still in full feather – Bruce thinks it is because she
runs from Jerry and spends large parts of each day inside the hen house.
In the matters of chicken health, we also have had some
illnesses. Dot began sneezing and
coughing one Friday, something I would have thought chickens incapable of. We watched her over the weekend, and aside
from that she seemed fine. Over a matter
of about ten days she became “cured,” just like humans having to wait the seven
to ten days for a cold to leave.
More concerning was Violet’s 24-hour bug. Her first symptom was the poop covering her
rear feathers. Then she spent the
afternoon and evening quite listless, not walking to food as the others did,
even barely pecking at the special treat of berry-covered pie crust. We had
decided that if she did not put herself in the hen house that evening, there was
a reason and we would leave her be.
However, at the last moment she went inside. She
seemed so lethargic that we were sure she would be a cold, dead body when we
opened the hen house in the morning.
Morning? Surprise –
the same old Violet, running, frolicking, eating just as well as everyone
else.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Where Are the Whip-poor-wills? (Blog Eighty-four)
When Elaine and I first moved into our Botetourt County, Virginia home in August of 1989, we regularly heard whip-poor-wills on late spring and summer evenings. As someone who has a passion for spring gobbler hunting, I often enjoyed hearing these birds, which along with chuck-wills-widows are members of the nightjar family, during trips as I waited for the first gobble of the morning.
This spring, I have hunted in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee and have only heard whip-poor-wills once and chuck-wills-widows only at two places. It's true, of course, that one rarely hears both species of nightjars in the same place, as chucks, at 12 inches in length, are two inches longer than whips - and size does matter in the wild world.
Thus chucks often out compete their smaller relatives and when chucks move in, whips move out. For example, one of the two places that I have heard chucks is behind our house as when that species showed up in the late 1990s, it was not long until the whip-poor-wills disappeared. Yet, we only have heard one singing chuck-wills-widow behind our house, as that species' numbers are likewise in decline.
A variety of reasons have been offered for the decline in whip-poor-wills as their numbers have dropped throughout the Eastern United States. Pesticides, habitat change, and lack of logging in many places have been a few of the reasons listed. Whip-poor-wills require early successional habitat to thrive and a lack of timber cutting has become the norm in the East's national forests.
Whip-poor-wills winter from the Gulf States south to Honduras, so wintering habitat loss could also be an issue. Whatever the reason for the population decline, the whips and chucks are integral parts of the East's ecosystem as they do yeoman's work at keeping down insect populations, and if we lose these species nature and humans will be much the poorer.
This spring, I have hunted in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee and have only heard whip-poor-wills once and chuck-wills-widows only at two places. It's true, of course, that one rarely hears both species of nightjars in the same place, as chucks, at 12 inches in length, are two inches longer than whips - and size does matter in the wild world.
Thus chucks often out compete their smaller relatives and when chucks move in, whips move out. For example, one of the two places that I have heard chucks is behind our house as when that species showed up in the late 1990s, it was not long until the whip-poor-wills disappeared. Yet, we only have heard one singing chuck-wills-widow behind our house, as that species' numbers are likewise in decline.
A variety of reasons have been offered for the decline in whip-poor-wills as their numbers have dropped throughout the Eastern United States. Pesticides, habitat change, and lack of logging in many places have been a few of the reasons listed. Whip-poor-wills require early successional habitat to thrive and a lack of timber cutting has become the norm in the East's national forests.
Whip-poor-wills winter from the Gulf States south to Honduras, so wintering habitat loss could also be an issue. Whatever the reason for the population decline, the whips and chucks are integral parts of the East's ecosystem as they do yeoman's work at keeping down insect populations, and if we lose these species nature and humans will be much the poorer.
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