Signs of Spring

[paleoman]

#7427

We’re certainly getting the odd warm day now thrown into the otherwise relentless cold temps…I’m hearing more bird song in the field and of course the sun is sitting higher in the sky, lifting my mood on a bright sunny day. The buds are going to start swelling in the first warm days – in the 40’s…maybe even a 50 degree day next week, so am looking forward to that. Sugaring season is starting later than normal, and I hope they get a good stretch and not a quick warm up. I find I don’t want to be in the office on the better days – not that I care for that much, but with wind chills at -20+, as we’ve had, I do not get too inspired to spend the day in it if there’s a choice. I have not yet seen a robin or bluebirds, but I bet next week bumps them north. They always come up a bit too early and endure the last snowstorm or two. What’s up in your areas?

[Doc Nock]

#61802

Spoke with an elderly couple in Lancaster County PA late Feb and they had a whole FLOCK of Robins, looking somewhat desperate and confused.

We had a few days in my new home area here in foothills of E. TN where it hit the 50’s and one day, 70! Then it dumped back into the cold with overnight of 14*!

Last night was like 22* overnight…

Lots to learn here as to what are “signs”… but anxious to learn!

I lamented that in PA we had only 2 seasons, Cold and then HOT. Older gent said that trend has been happening here as well… bummer!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#61848

Glad to hear you guys are getting a break.

It’s supposed to be 50F here by Sunday and I’m thinking of getting my bike out of the garage – strange weather for early March in the Tetons…

[Doc Nock]

#61861

Freiend in Oregon had several long stretches of gorgeous weather, had to mow lawn! Then the cold came back… 😯

Wonder if we’ll actually GET a true SPRING or just a smattering of nice days and then HOT?! 🙁

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#61906

First day above freezing today. supposed to gradually make it to 48 degrees by Wednesday , which is good because some of that snow HAS to go away.

[Etter1]

#61937

Crappie were moving into shallower water but the cold and snow really dropped the temps and moved them back out to 25′.

It was 27 when I ran up the lake this morning and now I’m wearing shorts. I noticed yesterday that our big winter turkey flocks are starting to break up a bit and I have seen a ton of sandhills flying north in the last week.

[David Coulter]

#61966

We had a couple robins here about three weeks ago but I haven’t seen them since. There’s a few places nearby where I can see bluebirds all year round. Robins will sometimes winter over in the swamps if it doesn’t freeze too hard. Dc

[grumpy]

#62823

Worked up a sweat yesterday snowshoeing. Then fell down in 3+ feet of snow. Also saw a BUNCH of deer. Still have to use snowshoes to fill the bird feeders. If we have a fast thaw, there will be floods. Audrey insists I go out and shoot the new bow. I’ll need to shovel out the target. Weather report says 50* Wednesday. 😀

[Ralph]

#62834

Be glad when y’all get unburied.

We’re into the period here between cold and wind so I’ve been enjoying that for a couple of days.

Already hate this time change though. Half the day seems already wasted. :lol::lol:

[paleoman]

#62882

R2 wrote: Be glad when y’all get unburied.

We’re into the period here between cold and wind so I’ve been enjoying that for a couple of days.

Already hate this time change though. Half the day seems already wasted. :lol::lol:

Ralph – did you gain any on the long drought you’ve had? I see the US Drought monitor shows that general area of Tx as different gradations of “bad drought”. Central Ca. and Nv. look all but burned up….

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62899

Hardly used my new snowshoes this year. Oh well, can’t complain too much about that. Hopefully this unseasonably warm weather means that soon we’ll have bare ground and lots of white hares still running around thinking they’re blending in…

[Ralph]

#62914

Scott, we’re still classified as extreme drought but we’ve had a pretty wet winter and we’re 3/4″ above normal moisture instead of many inches below. That may not seem like a lot to a lot of people but when you’re in a dry land it’s a blessing.

The weather folk are talking at least a small El Nino in the pacific and if so that’ll bring in moisture this spring and early summer.

Unfortunately that ups the chance of severe weather also.

We’re on the beginning edge of tornado alley here and hail gets awful sometimes.

Other than that, I’m hopeful and praying for wet, not just for we humans but all the critters. It’s hard on them big time.

It might be nice to go stumping in green like we used to.

Thanks for asking.

[paleoman]

#62915

The thermometer shows 51!!! Woohoo! I know that’s because it’s sitting in direct sun, but we are ready for a bit of global warming here:D

[Patrick]

#62917

Going to take my son and nephew for a walk through the woods today with our bows. It’s going to break 40° today! 😀

[Ptaylor]

#62945

Its been a warm and rainy winter hear in northern Cali. No snow at my house this year, the past few years we’ve gotten at least one dusting down at sea level. Yellow-rumped warblers have began moving through. Gooseberries and willows are flowering. and the oaks are leafing out!

[Charles Ek]

#7772

We still have waist-deep snow in the woods here in NH, and we’ve had subzero readings even this past weekend.

But it hit 44 ºF today, and I took the 72-year-old Hill-style selfbow out for the first time in many, many weeks. Things went a little better when I woke up and adjusted my recurve-accustomed grip …

Saw a crow pair recently, and some adventurous robins have appeared from time to time.

[David Becker]

#8074

Man it’s changed quick here. We’ve been unseasonably warm here at the end of February.

The ornamental cherry tree popped this week, as have some Daffodils and the Magnolia. The daffs are in various stages, depending on where they are on the property. Since our land is very three dimensional, we’ve got plenty of micro-climates so there’s a whole days worth of learning in walking around figuring why one daffodil has popped and another hasn’t.

The deer are blowing their coats. I keep finding big clumps of deer hair all over, and the does I saw the other night looked awful pregnant. I’d really like some fawns to be born on my property this year. I’ve done a little judicious trimming here and there to create some better bedding areas, which have been getting used, as a little offering.

The Robins came back in force about 10 days ago, wearing cheap little sombreros and toting bottles of duty free tequila. They seem to run around in a little band right when they get back, then slowly disperse over the river valley.

Today I saw what I consider the real harbinger of spring, our Rufous Hummingbird. He buzzed me as I was planting fruit and nut trees and it made my spirits lift even more. In the two years I’ve lived here I’ve had some awesome hummingbird encounters. They seem genuinely curious and buzz me or hover nearby pretty regular. I have no idea if it is the same bird, but I like to believe it is. I’ve named him “Sikorsky.”

A little over two years ago I was living in a suburban apartment. Other than marrying my wife, buying this place was the best thing I ever did.

[Ralph]

#12401

Noticed green on our lilac bush today.

Then the weatherman has to remind me “Being the windiest place in the country and our windiest months are March and April with April being the worst and yet come”.

But everyone has their bad and goods in their geographical location.

Around here though we have a great #1 excuse to cover a bad shot:”*&^%$^*&%$ wind”….(that’s “stinking wind”):D

[paleoman]

#12458

R2 wrote: Noticed green on our lilac bush today.

Then the weatherman has to remind me “Being the windiest place in the country and our windiest months are March and April with April being the worst and yet come”.

But everyone has their bad and goods in their geographical location.

Around here though we have a great #1 excuse to cover a bad shot:”*&^%$^*&%$ wind”….(that’s “stinking wind”):D

Ralph – what is your avg sustained wind down there now? We’ve had it way too calm up here for a long time. As a utility guy I’m spooked were overdue…knock knock.

[Ralph]

#12496

I don’t know about all but today it was 22 mph with gust to 35. Really wasn’t that bad but the only thing between me and the north pole is a barbed wire fence out there somewhere and my 6′ picket fence in my backyard. I was mowing dead grass and it was pretty nasty.

Won’t be long before we’re getting dirt but hopefully it’s been wet enough it won’t be as bad as the last couple-three years. I think there’s been pretty good moisture up in Eastern CO. and western KS. so that’ll be good.

Y’all get quite a bit of wind up there? You have trees? 😕

[Cameron Unruh]

#12500

We are in need of more rain but I am enjoying the great weather and being able to get out and hike the hills.

[Ralph]

#12516

Dang. Nice and green already. Only thing I have green is some crabgrass beside a little on the lilac bush. :evil::evil:

[Stephen Graf]

#12976

We let the fire die in the stove about a week ago (been a couple cold nights since). Looks like we won’t need to crank it back up for the next 5 or 6 days, so maybe we’re done with it.

Got an early start on wood and have a cord split with another cord on the ground in rounds. Was going to start splitting it today, but it’s supposed to rain.

Only one sunny day forecast in the next 10 days. Getting sick of the rain.

The sheep are on the last bale of hay 😯 . The grass is starting to green up, so hopefully by the time they’ve finished it, the pasture will support them.

Daffadils are up, redbuds are swelling. Birds are singing spring songs on nice days, but still cleaning the bird feeder off twice a day. Spring peepers are going nuts.

[David Coulter]

#12992

Cameron, that’s a beautiful view. You are fortunate to have that.

Steve, we’re still burning and will be for a while. Snowshoes still make a better hike, but we’re getting close to putting them away. I have some trees down, but nothing even cut, let alone split. I really look forward to the peeper this year. Two definite sounds of spring are the peepers getting ready for summer and the saw getting ready for winter. best, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#13013

dwcphoto wrote: … I really look forward to the peeper this year. Two definite sounds of spring are the peepers getting ready for summer and the saw getting ready for winter…

Now that has a Leopold-ian ring to it… nice 8)

[paleoman]

#13079

The fields are half or more open now. I can see 1/2 the front yard in all its hat head glory. And, our turnaround in the driveway is almost useable, just 2′ of snow left on one half. When I hear see the Sandhills and hear that throaty, bell like gargle off theirs AND the Peepers, that will be like Neil Armstrongs’ “one great step” moment in the northern seasons. It’s so good to hear from those where spring is coming in strong now. I drove north a lot this week, some beautiful sunrises….one with a virtual Serengeti of deer in a corn stubble field backed by rolling hills and the occasional spruce silhouette.. The sun was a blazing pink-orange glow as it came up the horizon and backlit the scene like some nature documentary. I had a mental pause just to say how thankful I am to be living and breathing. That’s one of those many moments nature has given that I’d like to put on the buffet table of life when it comes to my end, and celebrate them with all those before and to come. That sure would be a nice way for it to work out. We’ll see:D!

[Fallguy]

#13081

No snow left here. Did not get much to start with. We went from -10 to 60 in the matter of a week. Last weeks high where 50 to 60 and next week is predicted for more of the same. No rain is in the forecast so spring fire season may be a wild one.

[David Coulter]

#13160

Steve, after reading Sandy County, I don’t think it’ll ever be far from my thoughts. best, dwc

[David Fudala]

#13252

Well I left home a couple weeks ago for work and it was still in the single digits here. Got home last night and it’s in the 40’s and 50’s!!! Lots of snow gone already and the edges of the lakes are just starting to show signs of loosening up! Now all I can think of is actually having a chance of enjoying a traditional Sring turkey hunt! I drew a late week in May this year and the way things are going we may actually have a little green intead of white! Time to go do a little scouting and find some birds!!!!:D

[grumpy]

#13580

WE HAVE FOUND THE CANOE!!! Rose up from the snow and some birds s**t on it. The snow bank that the front loader made out back is only half the size of R2’s camper. We have to wait for that to melt before we can have a back yard campfire. No geese, or peepers. The rivers have lost the ice, but saw people walking on a lake the other day. No flooding…yet. Gentle rain and 40’s now, and expecting more of the same tomorrow. Have 2 bows, straight bow (too short to call it long), and a recurve out of ash, and a dozen arrows that are varnished and drying. Tried a few arrows on the new recurve the other day (had to shovel out the target), the bow didn’t break, and it feels well over 50# at 22″ draw. Going out in the woods every weekend, but have found no sheds, although they may be under the snow. Loose the arrow every time I miss the stump.:x

[paleoman]

#13606

Grumps – my son sent some pics back last week of western Ma. after a family visit. I can’t believe you’re not all insane after this winter. HAPPY SPRING:D!

[grumpy]

#14338

Like I said: WE HAVE FOUND THE CANOE!!!

[paleoman]

#14495

grumpy wrote: Like I said: WE HAVE FOUND THE CANOE!!!

Got it:D!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#14654

grumpy wrote: Like I said: WE HAVE FOUND THE CANOE!!!

Well what’r ya waitin’ fer?

[Charles Ek]

#14752

Boreas reached out an icy hand today and grabbed us again by the throat. Four more inches of snow, plus wind, to be followed this week by temps about ten degrees below normal. At the rate things are going, the snowshoe hare will be brown before the ground is!

[Ptaylor]

#14820

Today I saw salal berries which were almost ripe! That’s early, even for us. Rhodys are starting to flower. Huckleberries and currants are going off, Saw my first trilium flowering today.

[grumpy]

#16873

Smithammer!!! You have no idea what you have started! Don’t you think they have enough dangerous ideas on their own? As soon as she saw it Audrey was jumping up and down screaming “I WANT TO DO IT!!!”

[grumpy]

#16875

Was riding in the car the other day and Arwen said “Look Grampa!! DIRT!!” She saw a patch of lawn where the snow had melted. Haven’t seen bare ground since December. Think about that R2, no bare ground in 3 months. Could you survive that?

[Charles Ek]

#19072

Apparently humans aren’t the only ones eager for this NH winter to pass. Came across the first bear sign of the year this afternoon. Looks like Ursus has been lying in daybeds and visiting the neighborhood at night the last couple of days. Time for the bird feeders to come down!

[Ralph]

#21324

Our little plum tree blossomed out, little purple flowers, then…..You’d think that tree after 25 years would learn that it’s always gonna hard freeze again. 🙁

Did hear and see Sandhill Cranes flying north this morning and even if I live one block from no town, ice cream truck, agh!!!

There oughta be a spring season. 😀

[grumpy]

#22421

eids you are ahead of us. Yesterday went scouting, only went thru the crust twice, but both times I went up to my waist AND DIDN’T FEEL THE GROUND. There is no open water on our lakes. Went to Laconia to see my mom today. Audrey saw a robin on the way up, at a NH rest stop. None in Mass. What’s with all the open water on YOUR lake? Why is there more bare ground up there? THIS NOT FAIR!!!

R2 If it doesn’t go below Zero it isn’t winter, and if there is no winter there is no spring. Be grateful!!

[Charles Ek]

#22529

I don’t know what state you actually went to or what you were smoking at the time, grumpy, but this was what things looked like today slightly southeast of Winni. 😉

WARNING: This video depicts the harsh reality of late March in New Hampshire this year. Sensitive viewers may wish to turn their attention elsewhere, for instance, cat videos from Oahu.

[TMS]

#23519

Still have at least 24 inches of snow on the ground at my house southeast of Syracuse, NY. Temp this morning was 4*F. Rumors of a 40* and a 50* day in the forecast for the week but I do not believe it. Running out of firewood. Hoping for warmer temps at some point but who knows when that will be?

“Winter’s a long time going, huh?”

[Ralph]

#23743

Hey Grumpy, why in the world would I want all that winter for? You grumpin’ enough about it for both of us. :D:D

[grumpy]

#38573

Was out on the porch burning feathers (fletches) for arrows (while the girls got gussied up for church), and a flock of GEESE flew over. Tried to count, but lost it, as there were so many, moving so fast. They must have rested in the marsh, as it is flooded. Looks like a lake but only 3′ deep.

Audrey saw Mamma Skunk the other night poking around the back steps. I asked if Mamma was pregnant, but Audrey didn’t comment.

Still hear the wind chimes in the kitchen, and wind whistling in the living room (as we have all winter). Hear both in the bedroom, which makes us feel good to be warm, and cozy when it is so cold outside.

Audrey saw robins (finally) at the cemetery this morning (lots of them) while leaving flowers.

We also found the fire pit (actually it is a truck wheel rim) sticking out of the big snow bank.

Audrey and I are shooting arrows daily now….

In my weekly “walk in the woods” I went thru the ice (Audrey just made a comment about walking on water) and got a boot full of water. I thought about building a fire to dry off, but since I was only a mile out and everything is sooooo wet, I went home so I could empty the boot on the kitchen floor, and put dry clothes on then go back. Didn’t see anything alive, just lots of tracks, and enough deer droppings to cover the garden about a foot deep. If I could get my trailer in there I wouldn’t have to go to the stable for horse manure.

Robins, geese… Now we need to hear the spring peepers…

Audrey just asked: “Do they have them everywhere?”

I responded: I don’t think R2 has them in the desert, but we can ask?

[David Coulter]

#38624

Grumpy, sounds like a nice day, wet foot and all. dwc

[Robin Conrads]

#38647

A sure sign of spring in the high desert of Southwest Idaho is the Western meadowlark. A while back I ran across words to the meadowlark call, but I can’t find it now. Bruce, have you ever heard of such a thing?

No spring peepers here. In fact, I had to look that up to see what you were talking about. I thought “peepers” were tourists who go to New England to see the fall colors. I guess those would be fall peepers. 😉

I’m glad the snow’s melting a bit and you are able to get outside. Give my best to the girls.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38667

Webmother wrote: A sure sign of spring in the high desert of Southwest Idaho is the Western meadowlark. A while back I ran across words to the meadowlark call, but I can’t find it now. Bruce, have you ever heard of such a thing?

I haven’t heard a translation for the meadowlark call, Robin. But it’s a call I really like. We haven’t seen them here yet, but with this weather, I bet they’ll be showing up soon. We’ve been hearing Sandhill cranes in the past week – another sure sign of Spring for us.

[Charles Ek]

#39148

First pair of Great Blue Herons flew by yesterday on their way to Maine. It will be a while for peepers – I was skiing on Friday and I’ll probably go at least one more time this week if feasible.

Turkey season starts four weeks from yesterday. 😀

[Ralph]

#39311

grumpy wrote:

Robins, geese… Now we need to hear the spring peepers…

Audrey just asked: “Do they have them everywhere?”

I responded: I don’t think R2 has them in the desert, but we can ask?

Hey Grumpy and girls, we have frogs and toads around here but not near as many frogs of course since we live in semi arid country.

I had to look up ‘peepers’. Cool. I even heard the sound they make and I’ve heard it in other places I lived and visited. Just didn’t know they were called peepers.

Lots of toads, my dog found out at a young age that they’re not chew toys. They make dogs foam at the mouth big time. Taste awful too I guess.

We also have horned lizards, which the whole world except scientist call horny toads.

They have a defense mechanism that I don’t know why it would work on other critters but with humans I can see why. They do this blood thing and humans, especially girls, get them out of their hand real quick

Hope your spring and summer come soon. I know y’all are tired of snow.

It’s my turn to grump and also be cautious and very aware when I get out and about because it’s wildfire season here. I be way afraid of those things.

Be well, Ralph

[paleoman]

#39829

Webmother wrote: A sure sign of spring in the high desert of Southwest Idaho is the Western meadowlark. A while back I ran across words to the meadowlark call, but I can’t find it now. Bruce, have you ever heard of such a thing?

No spring peepers here. In fact, I had to look that up to see what you were talking about. I thought “peepers” were tourists who go to New England to see the fall colors. I guess those would be fall peepers. 😉

I’m glad the snow’s melting a bit and you are able to get outside. Give my best to the girls.

I saw my first Eastern Meadowlark of the year this weekend. It was singing its head off as I watched thru my binos.

[grumpy]

#40999

Webmother wrote:

No spring peepers here. In fact, I had to look that up to see what you were talking about. I thought “peepers” were tourists who go to New England to see the fall colors. I guess those would be fall peepers. 😉

NO! NO! NO! In the fall the flatlanders come north to look at the leaves, and they are called LEAF peepers. Spring peepers are tiny frogs in swamps that make a lot of noise in the spring. Leaf peepers are big people in cars that look at the trees, and drive real s l o w, get lost, and try to turn around on dirt roads.

We had our first backyard campfire last night. Wet and smokey, but we really did have FLAMES.

I think the sap is still running in the maples, has been a really good season.

More geese flying over from the marsh.

Audrey saw a robin in the back yard, at least she’s not going over to the graveyard to see robins.

Audrey has a technical question. She put two arrows into the bullseye, and they were touching, like in the same hole. Is that a Robin Hood (Byron says if it was out of the bulls eye, it would be a mistake)? You really can’t SPLIT an arrow with field points.

I’m thinking the two girls need to work more. Or I should work less. Seems like while I’m working they are out practicing all day. Big fear that they are going to be more accurate than I am.

And with all the cold last winter we are having a record pothole season.

[Doc Nock]

#41789

Grumps,

Can’t offer reasonable opinion on a Robin Hood, but would have thought coming close a few times, you can split an arrow with a field point…most I’ve seen were plumb stuck into the rear end of a alum or carbon…

Which brings me to my next point:

Bruce posts up the clip of the canoe down the snow slope… and Audrey (You do have a cadre of women in your world…my condolences) :shock:wants to take your canoe and do it…!

OK…tell me it ain’t so…tell us you do NOT own an aluminum canoe!!!??!!!

NOT YOU…not the selfbow maker, wood arrow builder and shooter, living in the frozen north…you’re bursting my bubble here, Hoss…

I’d have thought for sure you had a birch bark canoe, maybe one you made yourself…not some alum store-bought affair! 🙄

I’d not think a birch bark would thank you for sliding down snow banks, but I have used alum canoes for much worse…but then, I shoot carbons being the reprobate that I is!:oops:8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#41816

Highs in the 40’s, alternating between rain and snow….yup, it’s definitely Spring in Teton Valley. 😉

[Ralph]

#41843

Bruce spring here too. Kinda diff from yours though, pretty much opposite.

Glad I love wind:roll: and hate rain:roll:

Ain’t complaining though cause I love mother earth and deal with what she gives me, shoot my bow and love my family.

[grumpy]

#42175

Yup, Alum Canoe. Bought it couple years ago second hand.

And a plastic kayak. When I lived in the camper, I pushed it off the cliff into the lake on a regular basis. Never had a problem. Brother wanted me to make a cedar strip canoe from one of his kits (newfound.comn) but I would break it. Besides they are too pretty.

[Doc Nock]

#42326

grumpy wrote: Yup, Alum Canoe. Bought it couple years ago second hand.

And a plastic kayak. When I lived in the camper, I pushed it off the cliff into the lake on a regular basis. Never had a problem. Brother wanted me to make a cedar strip canoe from one of his kits (newfound.comn) but I would break it. Besides they are too pretty.

That’s it, Grumpy, you, Arwen, Audrey (whomever that one is ?) are ALL out of the will… And a tupperwear boat! OMG!

Ruined my fantasy of this neat place tucked back in the hills of ole MA and a tinkerer out there with wood arrows, self bows and birch bark hand made canoe…tsk, tsk…:shock::roll:

Sigh…

[Charles Ek]

#43000

34 degrees, two inches of new snow on the ground here in NH, and I’m about to go scout for turkeys on my skis. I put off oiling up the wooden kayak paddle I made a few years back for the wooden kayak I use, Doc.

Charlie – who will certainly be punished in the afterlife for the hundreds of Pungos he sold over the years:

[Doc Nock]

#43014

Eids,

Good heavens! I had to Google Pungo boats… that is a bizarre clip you posted.

So, you built a hand-made, wooden Kayak? Are you suggesting you would be willing to take Grumpy’s place in my will line-up?

:roll::lol:

[Charles Ek]

#43094

Doc Nock wrote: Eids,

Good heavens! I had to Google Pungo boats… that is a bizarre clip you posted.

So, you built a hand-made, wooden Kayak? Are you suggesting you would be willing to take Grumpy’s place in my will line-up?

:roll::lol:

(Mom, I’ve thought often about using one of the kayaks here to go hunting, as recently as this week. 😉 )

Yes, I built a thirteen-footer for my wife from a Chesapeake Light Craft kit and rehabbed a used seventeen-footer from them for myself.

Here’s the thirteen-footer on the water. It has a large cockpit and would be ideal for getting into spots away from the madd(en)ing crowd. For deer hunting I would use my Royalex ( 😯 ) canoe, though, because the kayak lacks capacity for that task. Well, actually, the kayak would be fine considering my record at hunting deer …

[Doc Nock]

#43147

Got just the thing for you and your Yak…

Get one of those kids tupper ware snow sleds, rivet those foam pontoons on the sides all way around, and tow it behind you… deer fit in one nicely and you can put an inner tube bladder inside the chest cavity, strap it fast and have additional floatation if something went awry!

You’re Welcome…N/C! 😆

[Charles Ek]

#43183

Doc Nock wrote: Got just the thing for you and your Yak…

Get one of those kids tupper ware snow sleds, rivet those foam pontoons on the sides all way around, and tow it behind you… deer fit in one nicely and you can put an inner tube bladder inside the chest cavity, strap it fast and have additional floatation if something went awry!

You’re Welcome…N/C! 😆

Gag me with a Sportspal – the sale of which product also stains my ethical record as an advocate of paddling …

(That’s actually not a bad idea at all that you have there – thanks!)

[Ralph]

#43251

The first time in years our lilac bush’s flowers haven’t frozen. It may be dry here so far but it’s happy.

[Doc Nock]

#43329

eidsvolling wrote:

Gag me with a Sportspal – the sale of which product also stains my ethical record as an advocate of paddling …

(That’s actually not a bad idea at all that you have there – thanks!)

I had no idea that fake birch bark rig was called, but yea, that’s it… they MUSt sell those silly side ride rail sissy bars somewhere. Or a bunch of those pool noodle things kids whack each other with…

If you want you could make a unit out of birch bark or whatever and tow that around….

[Doc Nock]

#43331

R2 wrote: The first time in years our lilac bush’s flowers haven’t frozen. It may be dry here so far but it’s happy.

OK, ralph… now that I see the picture on a larger screen then a phone, it’s pretty close to the lavender/purple of ones up North… I double checked with my “2nd mom” vacationing in FL when she called… to verify my memory was correct…yours still have more red in em… must be the frost effect! 😯

[Ralph]

#43361

Gettin my bow scented so I don’t have to worry about turkeys smellin me. 😉

[Doc Nock]

#43370

Ralph,

I have it on good authority, that if turkeys COULD smell, you could never kill one!:roll:

[Doc Nock]

#43372

Eids,

Just so you dont’ get a arse dunkin in the cold fall season, I found these “outriggers” for your home made wood kayak so if’n you do tow a deer home, no problemo! (BTW, I had help here finding that, so you figure it out)

[Ralph]

#43418

Doc, that mean I don’t have to take the ‘no stinkum’ stuff with me Saturday when I go looking for turkeys. Thanks buddy. 😀

Eids, not me. 🙄

[Doc Nock]

#43431

Best I can tell, Ralph, you can smell like a boar hog in heat… but you can’t make any noise or blink!

[paleoman]

#43434

Ralph – that’s a Texas lilac! Beautiful. We got 2.1″ rain here today. Found a perfect stone ax today in a farm field. But no groove. So just a rock:lol: Did you guys get rain out of the system that’s worked over the middle of the country today?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#43465

While we’re on this topic, I’ve always wanted to do a “float in, float out” type of hunt. Either down a river, crossing a lake to access some otherwise hard to access country, etc. I need to make that happen sooner than later…

[Ralph]

#43470

[quote=paleoman]Ralph – that’s a Texas lilac! Beautiful. We got 2.1″ rain here today. Found a perfect stone ax today in a farm field. But no groove. So just a rock:lol: Did you guys get rain out of the system that’s worked over the middle of the country today?[/quote

Nope on the rain. Got some mud drops but that’s all. Maybe Sunday, Monday. Hope.

I found a tool the other day, some kind of rubbing, grinding tool. Grooved to fit a hand perfect. No points in a longtime though.

[Ralph]

#43475

Yep Doc, that’s the only thing on our side when turkey hunting, they don’t smell us.:D

Hell, they don’t have to, the sharp eyed beggars.

I think they run faster nowadays too. 😉

[David Fudala]

#44389

Hey SH, I’m not sure how feasible this would be for you guys, the logistics may be a bit extensive but I’ve hunted bear and deer in the boundary waters canoe wilderness for some years now. If you’re interested in a true wilderness waterways hunt maybe we should consider a group hunt up that way some day? Tags for bear and deer are easily obtained and the seasons overlap in September. Could be just what yer lookin for?

[Charles Ek]

#44396

dfudala wrote: Hey SH, I’m not sure how feasible this would be for you guys, the logistics may be a bit extensive but I’ve hunted bear and deer in the boundary waters canoe wilderness for some years now. If you’re interested in a true wilderness waterways hunt maybe we should consider a group hunt up that way some day? Tags for bear and deer are easily obtained and the seasons overlap in September. Could be just what yer lookin for?

Uh oh. I was thinking of the very same thing. I see the risk of some marital discord on the horizon …

Ely or Grand Marais? Or do you have some secret Isabella stash?

“Have Penobscot 17, will portage for venison.” Or at least a whack at seeing one or two portages again.

[David Fudala]

#44401

I’ve usually gone in on the Grand Marais side as we primarily hunted bear on Saganaga and there’s lots of old burn areas over there. Makes for some pretty good glassing from the water. However, the land up that far isn’t very kind for deer as it’s primarily shield terrain. I figure probably further to the southwest would get into better habitat for both species.

[grumpy]

#52465

Snow is gone, well, out of our yard at least. Some patches on north slopes in the woods.

There are other signs as well:

As I sit here in the kitchen I can hear the spring peepers in the marsh out back. Audrey has been doing the spring peeper dance for a couple days now.

She pulled a tick out of my left cheek the other night, now she wants to check for ticks every time I come inside.

Now that the snow is gone the allergies/asthma are here. Thus I’m sneezing, sniffling, coughing, wheezing… Have meds that I snort, inhale, and the pills on a regular basis, plus the emergency snorter and inhaler. Gee isn’t spring just wonderful.

Waiting now for the black flies, mosquito, no-see-ems , and sunburn..

And R2 thought all I had to complain about was snow. 😀

[Ralph]

#53274

This from the 1st line of thunderstorms this spring. Some folks got ping pong ball size.

It gets much bigger here.

The not so good of the spring, hail and tornadoes.

There were several tornadoes just east of us too.

Wish it’d snow, I can shovel that problem.:D

Even whilst I’m sneezing. 😉

[Doc Nock]

#54486

grumpy wrote:

She pulled a tick out of my left cheek the other night, now she wants to check for ticks every time I come inside.

😀

Which set of cheeks???:shock::roll:

[grumpy]

#54633

Rear fender. 😛

[Doc Nock]

#54657

Oh,Dear! Fender on the rear!:oops:

[Ralph]

#56719

Is Kermit a peeper?

:D:D

[Doc Nock]

#56733

R2 wrote: Is Kermit a peeper?

:D:D

Now, Ralph, if Kermit the Frog, was a peeper, his MIDDLE name would have to be TOM… and he already has three names… Kermit (first) the (middle) and Frog (last)…

So how could he be a peeper???

Aren’t all peepers TOM? Course, why just in spring, eh? That confuses me… 🙄

[Ralph]

#56740

Dunno Doc but that little guy looks like he’s got big peepers to.

Jeepers, creepers, where’d you get those peepers. Where’d you get those beautiful:? eyes?

[Col Mike]

#56755

Signs of spring in the Appalachians—near or below freezing night time temps for next 8 days and some snow predicted for tomorrow evening–well should make tracking turkey a little easier–and Linda asks “why didn’t we stay in Key West another month” Hon it’s turkey season!8)

[paleoman]

#56774

colmike wrote: Signs of spring in the Appalachians—near or below freezing night time temps for next 8 days and some snow predicted for tomorrow evening–well should make tracking turkey a little easier–and Linda asks “why didn’t we stay in Key West another month” Hon it’s turkey season!8)

I know! Same here:cry: For whatever reason I remember the spring of ’95 not giving up to warmth until well into May. I actually “inletted” and old buffalo nickel into a rifle stock with my pocketknife I was so bathouse crazy one weekend. It came out well too, considering I could have ruined a nice stock in one false move. It’s starting to feel like that spring again!

[Doc Nock]

#56778

R2 wrote: Dunno Doc but that little guy looks like he’s got big peepers to.

Jeepers, creepers, where’d you get those peepers. Where’d you get those beautiful:? eyes?

OMG! Just how OLD are you, Ralph, to quote those lyrics?!!!:shock::roll:

[Ralph]

#56804

39, like Jack Benny!

[Ralph]

#56808

1st hatching of Eurasian collared doves (the pests) out and about. Just got through watching to fledglings taken first flight attempts.

[Doc Nock]

#56875

I was going to say, “Like Jack Benny!” But then that sorta tells on my age, too, doesn’t it?! LOL:lol:

Eurasian collared doves? Pests? Gads you have enough “pests” in TX but then everything is bigger in Texas—even the pest problem, huh?!:wink:

[Ralph]

#56878

The collared doves are so prolific that there’s no closed season on them in Texas. Problem is they mostly live in populated areas where you can’t shoot’em, liken to most pigeons. Good for them bad for us.

[Doc Nock]

#56886

Saw a video where a guy used crossed sticks to make a “blunt” and shot pigeons with his bow… BB gun ought to do well in the neighborhood.

Dove breast wrapped in bacon on the grill is good eats…you’d have to put a habenero pepper on the wrap to make it SW though! 😯

[Ralph]

#56914

Doc Nock wrote:

Dove breast wrapped in bacon on the grill is good eats…you’d have to put a habenero pepper on the wrap to make it SW though! 😯

Jalapeños plenty hot enough. Habenero si mucho caliente. But I like’em. Not too much at a time though.

[Doc Nock]

#56978

Rather you then me, Hoss! I like hot stuff till the next day… we won’t go into that! :shock::oops:

[Charles Ek]

#59554

Hey grumpy, if you’re visiting your mom this weekend, better pack your woolies. We have 34º this morning, and those aren’t cottonwood seeds drifting with the stiff north wind …

Nine days and counting. Now where did I put that snow camo?

[grumpy]

#60923

Not this weekend (birthday party for Audrey’s grandson), will be up on Mother’s day, got to coordinate with brothers (all 3 of them). Need to let them know when I’m coming so they can have time to formulate short jokes.

[Doc Nock]

#60940

grumpy wrote: Need to let them know when I’m coming so they can have time to formulate short jokes.

Oh, my lord! That’s sad and funny at the same time…

Dynamite comes in small packages, same as C4, etc… 🙄

[grumpy]

#61349

As my little brothers grew bigger than I, My Mom kept saying “Big things come in small packages.” Maybe she meant C4

[Doc Nock]

#61361

grumpy wrote: As my little brothers grew bigger than I, My Mom kept saying “Big things come in small packages.” Maybe she meant C4

Hopefully, she wasn’t referring to your “explosive” temperament? Nah…not mild mannered, newspaper reporter, Grumps

[Author]

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