Don't Wish Away Spring and Summer Waiting For Deer/Elk Season
As I scroll through my social media feeds I am seeing a ton of posts from individuals who are already wishing their deer or elk season was upon them. While big game seasons in the fall are my favorite there are way too many opportunities out there the other 9-10 months of the year to be wishing them away. If you're not capitalizing on all the year-round adventures we've been blessed with then you should reconsider your strategy. If you hunt, there is a good chance you at least do some fishing. Why not spend a little time this Spring wetting a line to mix it up a bit? Depending on the chosen quarry and location you can have a very relaxing time with the family or do some backpacking and brave some icy waters in search of a trophy.
Not to mention, according to the Washington State Department of Health, "Fish is a low-fat high-quality protein. Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet. Fish is packed with protein, vitamins, and nutrients that can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke." That sounds like a pretty good argument to me!!!
Head South
Live in the North and want to get some Spring sunshine when Mother Nature just won't let go with her icy grip? Head South and burn off that lingering Winter chill. For me this year that's exactly what I've had the chance to do. Now living in coastal Texas I've been given a chance to do some saltwater (actually brackish) fishing for the first time.
Turkey
Some may chastise me but I really haven't gotten bitten by the turkey hunting bug. When I was growing up in Indiana they weren't legal to hunt where I lived so I never really got into it. I have been though, and had a great time, although I've yet to harvest my first. I do know people who will take weeks at a time off in the Spring to chase them, even making it a state to state road trip. If you haven't tried it or need some out of state adventure make sure to give it a hard look.
Lions and Tigers and BEARS Oh My!
Ok, so I'm not going to talk about lions and tigers but, Spring bear is absolutely something that may be of interest to you. Why not, right? Many US states and certainly Canada offer Spring time opportunities to chase bruins and it won't interfere with your fall plans. I've only hunted bears in the fall but if I said taking a trip earlier in the year to extend my hunting seasons hadn't seemed very inviting I'd be lying. Who doesn't need a bear skin rug anyway!
Bowfishing
Until you've tried it you just can't appreciate how much fun you're missing out on. Day, night, it doesn't matter. Go and shoot some invasive species. It is an absolute riot and when the action is hot, its hot. Oh, and those videos you see on the internet of fish jumping right in the boat? It really does happen, trust me. I actually stopped by a bow shop last weekend to get 30# recurve I won at a charity auction rigged up to shoot some gar. I've seen people pull the "backstraps" out of them and throw in the frying pan. That's my goal here in the next couple of weeks to see how they taste!Time is precious, don't waste it waiting for Fall seasons. Make some plans and make it happen. You never know, you may find yourself taking a few weeks off in the Spring next time rather than saving them all for the Fall.
