Steadily,silently,winter grows thick over the north country, deep snow suffocates everything that glowed in the warm autumn colors only a few weeks before. Thick ice surrounded by bent cattail and crushed bulrushes are all that remain of the fall marsh. Gone are the blue winged teal, wood duck and other fair weather waterfowl. They reside in the far south along with red wing blackbirds and bluebirds. Thousands of miles from winter's cold grasp they luxuriate in the salubrious climate, escaping the wintry wind and freezing temperatures that chased them from their summer range.
Only the hardy linger. Frozen marshes and snow covered fields matter little to goldeneye, merganser, flight mallards and Canada geese. Diving ducks can find food by swimming underwater and dining on submurged vegetation and geese are adept at shoveling through a foot of snow to find food. Mallards are always reluctant to fly further south than necessary to find food. Somehow these gamebirds survive winter, exposed to brutal elements day and night, until spring brings luxuriant warmth. But there is one important element that is the key to survival for winter waterfowl-a roost.
To a Canada goose a roosting site is paramount to survival. Winter winds can bring snow, sub-zero freezing temperatures and brutal conditions that a goose can handle with ease. But, open water is a necessity that dictates if waterfowl stay in the area. If waterways freese, the birds migrate. Most roosts are found on the rivers or streams during winter. However, it is not uncommon for large open water on a pond or lake by perpetually swimming.
At other times they huddle in large groups, with enough birds to actually generate enough body heat to keep water from freezing. But when persistent sub-zero temperatures make it impossible for wild birds to restrain the encroaching ice, waterfowl will take flight in search of open water. Often they regroup where waters tumble or flow, all that is required is nothing but a trickle.
Many hunters go south for the winter. Most that remain stay nestled snugly in warm homes, recalling the season just past, dreaming of reunions and wishing for the turn of the seasons when life leaps from the warming earth in sweet smells, sounds, lush green colors and the birds turn back. Though the winter elements chase a lot of waterfowlers indoors, the most rugged outdoorsmen revel in quiet pursuit of giant Canada geese on icy waterways and snow covered fields.
The cold weather waterfowler's spirit is fixed upon the coming season, the rhythmic pace of his sporting life takes on a quicker tempo. He knows that in order to succeed he must be prepared, ready, for the day of reunion. He also knows that persistent scouting and frequent journeys to local roosting sites are necessary to pattern the flight characteristics of local geese. Often birds leave the roost for distant feeding locations during mid-morning, come nightfall they come trickling back in flocks frantic to regroup on the open water.
It is always exciting to watch geese returning to roost. Silently, steadily comes the evening glow as the sun dips below the crimson horizon. Then, there is a distant singular honking that quickly erupts into a booming chorus as flocks of frantic geese poor from the heavens. The tranquil, peaceful, snow lined waterway is suddenly chopped with flopping wings and splashing webbed feet as huge birds splash down and countless others continue dancing above the treetops, gliding, dipping and swirling like a huge feathered tornado.
The roost renews the waterfowler's spirit, filling with the joy, warmth and deep-seated appreciation of wild places and wild things. For the honest waterfowler, the experience of witnessing the swirling mass of birds is proof positive the great outdoors is never more alive. The reunion of the waterfowler and waterfowl rekindles an old friendship. It refreshes the warm feeling that all is well in the great outdoors and provides sweet memories that the hunter will cherish for a lifetime.
Artile written by Mr. Kenny Darwin
Published in Woods-N-Water News Magazine January 2001.
Arrive at your stand one full hour before daylight, well before other hunters begin stirring in the woods.
Stay on your stand first day. Pack a lunch and stay nonstop from sunrise to dusk. Deer will be reacting to the sudden presence of humans in their woods and will tend to circle.
Where hunting pressure runs high, don't scout your area early, for signs you may find may no longer be relevant when the season opens.
If possible, have several stands. Decide which to use opening day upon checking wind direction.
Should another hunter blunder through the woods opening day and disrupt your quiet area, do not abandon your stand for undoubtedly he or she will continue moving and deer in their wake may move in your direction.
Be choosy opening day. You don't have to take the first animal that comes along, unless venison on the table is your main objective.
When setting up your hunting stand, be aware of the fact that other public land hunters may have chosen this area as well. So you won't see a number of parked vehicles, pick an area minus two track trails, open fields, or other easily accessible places.
Deer tend to quickly abandon normal routines on opening day. A good suggestion is to place your stand on elevated terrain overlooking a natural deer funnel whitetails may employ to elude other hunters.
If you can not get to your hunting area until just prior to opening day, do not clear to many shooting lanes near your deer stand. Resident whitetails will recognize these obvious overnight changes.
Use aerial photographs to locate the best stand situations. Place at least one-quarter mile from the nearest road. Most hunters won't penetrate any farther than this, so deer will receive less pressure.
Information obtained from The Whitetail Deer Hunter's Almanac, written by John Weiss. Inquire Lyons Press, 123 W 18th Street. New York, NY 100011
