A walk of preparation

     As I've said before fall is a special time for me, it's a time for me to recharge the tank, gain perspective on life, and break out some timeless skills and traditions. For me hunting along with Music is my most cherished tradition. So as is the case with such things the season comes with a certain amount of pomp and circumstance This particular fall ushers in slew of personal changes along with the change of seasons, and for me some of these changes have effected my ideal autumnal routine. I usually begin running a couple of miles three or four days a week in July and August and continue on through September to prepare my legs for the long days of trudging through the woods through October November and December. This healthy habit (I'm sorry to say) has more than somewhat fallen by the wayside, and I'm not in the type of shape that I'd like to be. As has been preached to me many times, you don't kill birds with your gun you kill them with your legs. This is water under the bridge however, and for now I just must accept that I may be limited by my training or rather lack thereof...
     It's in the middle and beginning of September when I begin to really start scouting for bird coveys (areas of habitat which contain game). This involves many hours of driving around to old and new haunts and more time spent walking through them, mock hunting. There are maps to be studied, landowners to contact for access permission, notes to be taken and new territory to be put into place. In addition to visiting old favored spots, it's very important from a conservation perspective not to over-hunt an area. In a perfect world I would hunt each cover a maximum of four times in a season; twice in one month (which month dependent on cover type) and once in the two remaining months of the season. This was relatively easy to do when living in Downeast Maine where cover was plentiful and access was much more easily attained and freely given.
      So given my new living situation and lack of proper training and preparation it goes without saying that my zeal for the season although never completely extinguishable has been diminished to a level that startles me. I'm finding it hard to justify the time and energy to go and look for spots and just get in the woods, believing that disappointment is somewhat likely. Today however I broke myself free and allowed myself the guilty pleasure of a good scouting walk.
     I pulled off water street and unto the dirt track and parked my car by the banks of the Mousam river. The sluggish river seemed peaceful in a somewhat lifeless and lethargic way. The leaf cover in the woods was still very thick as it will surely be for some time, and much of the foliage still turned the sunlight an emerald shade as it shined through the stained glass window of Natures cathedral. I've driven by this spot innumerable times, and although it's area does not seem overwhelming "birdy" the eternal optimist in me can no longer sit inside feeling bad about the season and my ill preparedness. Outside of the car I take a deep breath soaking in surprisingly warm air and begin down the unexpectedly well worn path alongside the river. I scan the woods for signs of food types of foliage all the while keeping my ears keenly tuned for the sounds of wings. I walk along the path for some distance, several hundred yards at least before the river turns sharply south and the path abruptly ends at it's banks. An excellent spot for a duck blind I observe from a well worn canoe launch, not necessarily what I was looking for but information all the same. I walk back to my car at a brisk but measured pace, regretting not removing the wool sweater I'd adorned this morning.
     As I got back into my car and before pulling away I sat momentarily looking at the river; I needed this. So often I deny myself the cleansing and restorative powers of nature because I'm too busy, or have to work, or have preconceived notions of what the experience will be. The experienced is defined by the reflection and the attitude which you take into it. The Season and the changes will come and go quickly and they will be what they will be. I have as much opportunity to gain, learn, and I will be blessed by them as I always have. I must be open though and allow myself to get out of the house and out of my stubborn mind and have an experience everyday because we must not stop learning or having adventure.