We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly.
Because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape.
Because in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing what they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion.
Because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed, or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility, and endless patience.
Because I suspect that men are going this way for the last time and I for one don't want to waste the trip.
Because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters.
Because in the woods I can find solitude without loneliness.
And finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun."
Pheasants are an invasive species from China, but they are not very invasive like Burmese Pythons and Iguanas in Florida. In fact, they do not really thrive anywhere in the USA, but they make for good sport and good dog-training where they are found. Friend sent me this pic from a Pheasant hunt in northern Montana a couple of weeks ago (it would have been full of bison and grouse in past years):
Of course it is debatable, but I think so. Partridges are difficult to find, you need a good dog, and you usually need the magic cartouches that can shoot through trees.
The old expression is that these birds are hunted with legs.
Readers know that I no longer seek to shoot Woodcock anymore, but I sure don't mind people who do. Tasty little critters but for me kinda sad to hold one in the hand.
Woodcock are odd birds, basically shorebirds who ended up as upland birds. They still like soft earth and water, though. Swamps. I love to see them.
It's fish migration season up here. I was checking out the regulations for Striped Bass on the Atlantic coast.
Locals know that a license for salt-water fishing is now required. The regs on Striped Bass have changed too over recent years. Most recreational fishermen practice catch and release. After all, a good bass will feed 10 people and you don't have ten people coming for supper tonight. If you want to take one home, the Bass needs to be over 25" and under 35". The latter is to protect the big breeding females.
Best fishing for Stripers is night or early morning.
The unfortunte reality is that maybe only half of released catches survive the ordeal. Lots of reasons for that.
However, despite the excellent sport, that's why I only pursue Stripers twice a season.
I've shot my share of Bob Whites, but no wild birds. Just stocked or fresh out of the pen. Fun, but not the real deal. I have seen (and heard) wild ones on Cape Cod and Long Island. I've eaten them too - boned and stuffed with foie gras. Amazing.
Here's the issue with Bob Whites: In most of their range, their numbers have crashed over the past 20-30 years because of global warming the loss of their preferred habitat. These quail like large messy edges, and large-scale farming eliminates those. Maybe they were more common due to the small-scale agriculture in past centuries.
I read the the numbers of wild birds is greatest in Oklahoma, but I think Florida has plenty too. You can spend a lot of money to hunt quail in Georgia on multi-thousand-acre quail plantations like this place. These places keep their bird populations up with a steady stream of pen-raised stock to keep the shooters happy. Not really wild but more of a simulacrum of quail hunting.
After all, old-time hunting was not sport. It was food. Some links:
Bird-hunting is basically walking, or hiking, with a dog and a gun. Maybe with a pal or two.
Our Sunday hunt was not productive of meat, but we must have seen 50 Bluebirds. Whether a migrating flock or a local population, who knows? They do not migrate much, depending on food supply. Berries in winter, bugs in summer. They are a kind of thrush, like robins and lots of other birds.
The Eastern Bluebird likes large fields, meadows, pastures, beaver marshes, and golf courses. Backyards, not much. Woodlands, no.
If you scatter 5 or 10 Bluebird houses around a large meadow, they will find them sooner or later. Tree Swallows will find them too, and they can fight about it.
Hunting Canada Geese is good fun. Get out in the dark, set up, hide, wait, drink coffee. It can be tricky though, and picking the right spot to set up makes all the difference.
Demand has decreased for "vintage" shotguns for a variety of reasons. Part of the reason is that such lovely pairs are not made to bang against rocks and trees. They were made for European driven shoots, with loaders beside you. In other words, shooting not hunting.
I have always wanted to do an English or Scottish driven shoot, but my loader would be disgusted with me.
I have never seen 40 flushes in one day, whether hunting in New England or in Canada. Ten flushes on a great day, and you miss a few of them. Blame it on the trees.
I do not intend to shoot another Woodcock. Just because...
This what it is like, with a great dog and strong legs. Most dogs are not this great:
Are there anadromous Brook Trout in Maine? Who knows? To complicate nomenclature, Brook Trout are not really trout - they are a Char.
Tips for autumn trout fishing. Some states and areas do a fall stocking. Few if any stocked fish survive summer or winter in streams, even with catch-and-release. They do not have enough adaptation.
Not really. Before sunrise this morning we were after legal Stripers and Fluke. Legal stripers are in a narrow slot - not too big and not too small. You need a ruler.
Thing is, Bluefish can sometimes be all around. Big ones too. They are delicious on the grill, coated with some mayo, mustard, and soy sauce. Many people feel they are "too fishy" - but they are fish. Best if cooked the day you catch them.
If you get into a school of Blues, at some point you get annoyed and throw them back. A good-sized Blue is supper for six people or more .They will bite you though. Gotta be careful removing the hook.
Morality and rules, and how to avoid drowning:
Is the New England Subspecies of Ruffed Grouse the King of Game Birds?
Readers know that I no longer seek to shoot Woodcock anymore, but I sure don't mind people who do. Tasty little critters but for me kinda sad to hold one in the hand.
Big dog, but not as large as the original. The current Irish Wolfhound
It's fish migration season up here. I was checking out the regulations for Striped Bass on the Atlantic coast.
It really only sort-of worked with Pheasants in some areas, and with Huns out West.
I've shot my share of Bob Whites, but no wild birds. Just stocked or fresh out of the pen. Fun, but not the real deal. I have seen (and heard) wild ones on Cape Cod and Long Island. I've eaten them too - boned and stuffed with foie gras. Amazing.
Bird-hunting is basically walking, or hiking, with a dog and a gun. Maybe with a pal or two.
