For some reason, at this time of year, I always feel compelled to jot down my feelings about the change of seasons. I never feel this way as fall becomes winter or when spring becomes summer, but always when the leaves start to turn and the smells, sights and sounds of fall start to arrive.
I never notice the birds heading north as winter becomes spring. It seems as almost overnight budding trees have leaves. One day I'm wearing long pants, and the next shorts.... welcome summer. But when the mornings become crisp and the daylight quickly slips away from the end of the days, a feeling of urgency overcomes me.
I find myself looking over my hunting gear. Fall is all outdoor seasons wrapped into one. Bowhunting and bird seasons start in September. The Salmon start running at the same time. The years best dry line steelheading is in full swing. Incredible trout fishing, Urgency. A push to try and do all of those things. I love each and every one of them dearly. I know I may not do some of them this year. A growing family and business determine that. But I will find my way outdoors. I must find my way outdoors.
I never notice the birds heading north as winter becomes spring. It seems as almost overnight budding trees have leaves. One day I'm wearing long pants, and the next shorts.... welcome summer. But when the mornings become crisp and the daylight quickly slips away from the end of the days, a feeling of urgency overcomes me.
I find myself looking over my hunting gear. Fall is all outdoor seasons wrapped into one. Bowhunting and bird seasons start in September. The Salmon start running at the same time. The years best dry line steelheading is in full swing. Incredible trout fishing, Urgency. A push to try and do all of those things. I love each and every one of them dearly. I know I may not do some of them this year. A growing family and business determine that. But I will find my way outdoors. I must find my way outdoors.
Prime western oregon elk habitat
This week I found myself in the elk woods, bow and arrows in hand. I was on a mission to fill our family's freezer with the best wild game meat I know of, the mighty Roosevelt elk. Did I do that? No. (I've still got three more weeks to accomplish the task) But what I did do was to immerse myself in all that is fall in western Oregon. I felt the burn of my muscles as I climbed ridge after ridge. I heard the whirring of quail coveys busting from slash rows. I heard the bugle of a bull elk tending his harem of cows. I saw the most amazing sunrises of the year. I witnessed the "blue moon" rising. I stepped on a bald-faced hornet's ground nest (and amazingly escaped without getting stung!). I could smell the musty tarsal scent of a herd of elk in the pre-dawn stillness.
Nature's wonder....
I can think of no other way to fully enjoy fall than to excite every sense of the body with its wonder. It has a way of gripping and pulling me outdoors the way nothing else can. I have a notion its a deep, primal feeling that I am able to tap into and awake by being part of the whole experience that is the fall season . I hope that you can do the same.......
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