By Mike Roche

The unseasonably mild January we are either enjoying or cursing has gotten a lot of people’s attention. If you are one of us who is dreading the delivery of heating oil, the warmer-than-normal temperatures are saving us a little money on the high bills that are attributable to the surging cost of oil and all other energy sources.

Staying warm at a reasonable cost has become a little easier for us since we installed mini-split heat pumps. These units do a great job of heating the space where we spend a lion’s share of our day and reduces the time that the main heating system—an oil-fired forced hot water furnace—needs to run. Of course they are electric, and that energy source has also jumped dramatically in cost, so the end result is still more than we were accustomed to paying.

The ones who are most upset by the warm temps are die-hard ice fishermen. After getting some safe ice in late December, the warm spell has made most bodies of water questionable. As was noted in this space, ice safety is important. Do not venture out on questionable ice and do not alone or without taking precautions. It is not worth the risk.

We are not the only ones lamenting the lack of good ice. The big lakes in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are also not frozen up solid as is expected in January and was open water as late as last week on some. Ice fishing up north is a big business and some destinations have been forced to cancel reservations due to the ice conditions, causing great disappointment to all involved. Short term—there is no relief, but things usually get back to normal in time. Let’s hope so!

This week yours truly will be getting all his ice fishing gear in order, but my predator calling great is also ready to go. It seems like I need an excuse to go take a hike. Many folks are avid hikers, and they are out regardless of weather all year round. There are a lot of benefits to hiking and the fresh air and cardio exercise are something we all can’t get enough of. Many who hike do so as part of groups and add socialization to the benefit package. Somehow, just hiking has not been sufficient motivation for this writer and carrying a gun or bow justified the time better.

Bird hunting, deer hunting or predator calling tipped the scales for me but there was a time when a 30-minute walk was part of my day. After my two heart attacks those walks got my needed cardio exercise and also were part of an overall lifestyle change that also helped me manage my weight. Maybe time to get back to that after the distractions that made it easy put off those pursuits are no longer dominating my schedule.

The predator hunting is an activity where my efforts are versus critters that really overmatch me. Coyotes survive because they rely on their extremely advanced sense of smell. They never investigate anything without circling well downwind. Coyotes routinely catch wind of hunters 300 yards downwind and slink away undetected. Bobcats and red and grey foxes also are cautious and never rush in foolishly to investigate calls. Electronic calls are allowed and rabbit distress calls, fawn distress calls, birds distress calls and the calls of other coyotes are part of the library in most electronic callers. You can also use mouth calls, but it requires movement and also you being the focal point.

FoxPro is the leader is calling devices and mine is a starter unit from a few years ago. It has a remote so you can put the speaker well in front of you. My investments in predator hunting include a fake rabbit that is battery powered and moves temptingly. You would think that all that technology would guarantee success, right? There were a lot of hours put in without one sighting. Will this time be different? You might want to put your money on the critters.

Another group that stays active in winter are the bird watchers. Locally, those associated with the Athol Bird and Nature Club are avid birders all year round. I would suggest you join the organization and support them. There are many very interesting events year-round to get you outdoors and active. My bird watching is out the windows and bright red cardinals still make my day as does the constant stream of chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice that make sorties all day long to the feeders and heated bird bath.

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the MaharFish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.

]]>