Outdoorsmen look forward to winter months

Saturday, December 26, 2009

While a lot of outdoorsmen and women can't wait until spring to get outside, there are many others who look forward to the winter months for a variety of reasons. Hunters like Carl Ferguson, Sedalia, who has hunted rabbits for more than 40 years, said, "That first snow means it's time to go rabbit hunting. I still use my .22 rifle when I go after cottontails. My dad told me years ago that after the first snow, the rabbits are at their best and the hunting can be very good.

"He never used a shotgun to get his rabbits because he said he didn't like to pick out the shot when eating them. Of course, the number of rabbits aren't like they were back in the 'good old days' there are still places where there are huntable numbers."

Anglers, including myself, love to catch crappie and big bass and have found that December can be one of the best months to catch them. Recently, the crappie fishing has been very good on area lakes with limits of big crappie not uncommon. Many big bass are taken as well. Jack Brown, Marshall, hits Table Rock each year just before Christmas and has taken some of the biggest bass of the year. Last year, on Dec. 22, Brown caught the largest bass in his 36 years of fishing Table Rock.

"I was fishing near Kimberling City using a twin spin when I felt a light strike, but when I set the hook, I knew it was a big fish. After what seemed like an hour, I was able to net the finny fighter and when I weighed it, it tipped the scales at just over 9 pounds. You don't catch a lot of fish, but the ones you do land are big ones," he said.

Even the catfishing can be good during the winter. John King, Topeka, Kan., catches limits of channel cats as long as there is open water in one of the big impoundments. King was fishing last week and using cut shad, he caught 12 catfish and released all but four of the smallest ones. "It was a cold day, but the fish were hitting and I didn't mind the cold," he said.

Joan Jackson, Blue Springs, is one of the growing number of "birders." Jackson looks forward to winter when she feeds and watches the hundreds of winter birds that use her 10 feeders. "I have counted as many as 14 different species of birds using my feeders. I use a lot of sunflower seeds during the winter, but it's well worth it. My children and grandchildren really enjoy watching the birds and love to help me fill up the feeders," she said.

For many bird watchers, this time of year is the best time to see our national symbol, the bald eagle. In some places, including the Squaw Creek Wildlife Area near Mound City, eagle watchers may see close to a hundred eagles concentrated in the area. A sight like that is memorable and during the next few months is the best time to see them. With leafless trees and open viewing, now is the best time to observe eagles, although there are bald eagles that stay in Missouri year-round and each year, there are more nesting birds in the state.

Even campers and outdoor photographers take advantage of the winter months. Fred Davis, Independence, is an amateur photographer who gets some of his best shots during the winter. "There are fewer obstacles in the way when shooting wildlife in the winter. There are also fewer people and it's easier to get closer to wildlife. I have taken photos of animals that I wouldn't see any other time of the year. Winter wildlife like turkeys, fox, coyote, deer and a number of birds make great subjects to photograph in the winter," he said.

Davis started camping several years ago in December and found it was much more enjoyable than he thought. "I brought my 14-year-old son along on a camping trip before Christmas at Pomme de Terre. We had a great time, so we both look forward to winter like we never did before.

"That campfire really feels good and coffee never smelled so good early in the morning. With all the great camping products available today, winter camping can be very good. I like the fact that there are fewer other campers, no bugs or snakes and you see things that you never see during summer months." he said.

This time of the year reminds us as outdoor-minded people to count the blessings we all have in our lives and think of those less fortunate. To be able to take advantage of all the outdoor activities we have available is a true blessing.