This time of year

[jbmaine]

I was working outside yesterday, doing some things around the house. Around here fall is in full swing. The air is getting cooler and dryer, the leaves are starting to drop. As I worked I kept thinking of Octobers past, and it felt so bitter sweet.

 My dad taught me about the outdoors, guns, shooting, hunting early in life. Back then, around here, the hunting was good. October was bird season and as soon as I was old enough I joined dad in the fields and marshes going after pheasant and duck. Our times together were so special. As we hunted he talked to me about things in a way I had never heard before, not father and son, but I guess, two hunting buddies. I learned more about him then than ever before or after.

 Mid 1980's my dad retired and he and mom retired in Florida. I stopped hunting soon after. Even after all this time the smell of gun oil, a freshly fired shotgun shell, the " fall" feeling outside, all trigger the flood of memories of me and my dad and the special bond we shared together.

 He and mom passed years ago, but I like to think he still remembers as I do, every fall.

          Thanks for listening

                                    Jim

[gim]

I used to do more hunting in Sept and Oct years ago.  I feel like 15 years ago, it was cooler.  I hunted waterfowl, early season Canada geese, and grouse.  Also pheasant the second half of October.  I haven't hunted in Sept or Oct in at least 8-10 years now primarily because so freaking warm.  There is very little sign of fall here, and I am further north than most.  Its gonna be 80 degrees again today.  Most of the leaves are still green.  No sign of frost, so plenty of bugs too.  All my hunting is now done in November and December instead when the majority of crops are gone and we have colder temps.

 

September has simply become another month of summer here.  And October is looking warm too.  Not a big fan.

[TnRiver46]

I saw a picture of a monster killed online the other day , 183&3/8. You can find them in the warm season if you really want to , heck here are even velvet hunts available in many southern states now during late August 

 

 

[gim]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

You can find them in the warm season if you really want to

 

Haha.  That's the thing.  Most don't want to in this summery type heat.

 

Plus then there's the added issue of meat spoilage with higher temps too.  I'm beginning to wonder when we'll get real fall weather even this far north.

 

Hurricanes tend to block normal weather patterns.  Which is why our weather has been the same for like a month and nothing is going to change in the near future either.

[GreenPig]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I saw a picture of a monster killed online the other day , 183&3/8. You can find them in the warm season if you really want to , heck here are even velvet hunts available in many southern states now during late August 

 

 

Wow! I love a good rack.

[DaubsNU1]

Wonderful memories @jbmaine! Thanks for sharing, and helping me remember fond times in past Fall seasons.

 

Like @gimruis, fall here in Nebraska have gotten warmer and warmer.

 

My Dad (now 83 years old), remembered having to pull the blind off river before Thanksgiving due to ice. This was in the 1970's and 80's. Now we rarely have to pull the blind before the end of the season in January.

 

I really love, Love, LOVE the fall. It is most definitely my favorite season. I'm lucky to be able to still talk with my Dad, get him out on the boat. He doesn't hunt any more, bad shoulders...but we still remember and talk about great hunts -- pheasants, ducks, turkeys, etc.