A good snow has fallen in Virginia this past week and I was reminded that although I don't really like snow much, I have learned that snow is a very useful tool for hunting and wildlife observation.
Many years ago I took a walk through the snowy woods on my property. The hunting season had ended and there was no need to carry a firearm. During my walk I happened upon a number of deer tracks through an area I never bothered to hunt. When I followed the tracks I found bedding areas for a small group of deer and numerous tracks in the immediate area. The holly trees provided some windbreak on the lee side of the hill where the wind was not as bad. As I surveyed the area further, I realized that there were a few oaks in the immediate vicinity and some places were dug up to the bare soil where the deer had scrounged for acorns.
I thought about what I had seen as I hiked further and decided to tuck away that info for the next season. Later, I happened upon some squirrel tracks. Curious, I followed those to several medium sized trees. Upon further inspection I noticed holes in the trunks. Obviously the trees served as a small den tree.
The next season I was able to use my new knowledge to harvest two deer and take a dozen or more squirrels for soup. Snow, I realized, was not so bad after all.
This late winter season, take a walk in the woods and see what you can learn. Be sure to scan ahead of you as you can see quite far through the leafless terrain. You might spot animals for a distance and know right where to go to follow their tracks!
Many years ago I took a walk through the snowy woods on my property. The hunting season had ended and there was no need to carry a firearm. During my walk I happened upon a number of deer tracks through an area I never bothered to hunt. When I followed the tracks I found bedding areas for a small group of deer and numerous tracks in the immediate area. The holly trees provided some windbreak on the lee side of the hill where the wind was not as bad. As I surveyed the area further, I realized that there were a few oaks in the immediate vicinity and some places were dug up to the bare soil where the deer had scrounged for acorns.
I thought about what I had seen as I hiked further and decided to tuck away that info for the next season. Later, I happened upon some squirrel tracks. Curious, I followed those to several medium sized trees. Upon further inspection I noticed holes in the trunks. Obviously the trees served as a small den tree.
The next season I was able to use my new knowledge to harvest two deer and take a dozen or more squirrels for soup. Snow, I realized, was not so bad after all.
This late winter season, take a walk in the woods and see what you can learn. Be sure to scan ahead of you as you can see quite far through the leafless terrain. You might spot animals for a distance and know right where to go to follow their tracks!
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