It seems like only a few months ago everything had just been stowed away. “Open Season” is just around the corner again. This year seems to have passed us quicker than any other.
My backpack has been checked and “re-loaded” with the usual paraphernalia associated with spending time in tree stands, calling or hauling game out of the woods or just trying to be comfortable (dry and warm). Last weekend the white oaks started “dropping” and while I was out scouting the game lands I could hear an occasional ping or pop when the acorns hit something hard. Thankfully none have hit me square on the head (so far).
The leaves are beginning to change too. Neighbors will begin to “chase” them, or rake or blow the leaves into piles and off of their lawns. During the past few weeks we’ve had some rain so the ground seems fairly soft. Those who were smart enough to plant new lawns in early September this year will have much to show for their efforts. Last year was drier and more of a challenge because we’d started hunting in a new area and weren’t acquainted with all the landmarks, the places to go and things to avoid. Maybe we’ll be able to track the local fauna more reliably. This year we hope to build on what we learned from last year except that there’ll be fewer of us.
Summer activities included a lot of “home maintenance 101”, a little bit of travel and attending some family events. Occasionally Dad and I have discussed bits and pieces of the plan for the fall and early winter. I didn’t get to practice with my bow this year because of a nagging elbow problem. We were reminded that it was time to enjoy what exists today and to prepare for tomorrow. Our sense of urgency renewed when we learned of the eminent development of nearby properties.
My regular gun jammed in the off season so I will be tromping the woods during the late fall with a different one. The muzzle loader that I’ve used for the past few years has been recently sighted in and cleaned. There’s a certain comfort about having these items marked off my mental checklist before opening day.
It’s easy to tease yourself into thinking that this year things will go smoother or that we’ll all be better prepared for what’s to come. For some of us the “destination” is what it’s all about, opening day or a clean, quick harvest or a trophy. I guess that’s part of it. Right now I am thinking about that seasonal journey towards hunting season… the first part seems to have already started again.
There’s an old Chaucer proverb that concludes “all good things come to an end” or some variant of that conclusion. Why can’t good things just change and be handed down?
