This picture here reminds me of goose hunting during the early season in September, which is late summer.

MAHFS photo
by Mac Arnold





By Mac Arnold
MAHFS Editor

This is the time of the year when I start figuring out what I want to do in the fall hunting-wise.

I've already done the dangerous tempting by watching Primos "Big Bucks 19" video, and it's way too early to get psyched about deer hunting just yet.

One thing I can cross off my list is a Maine moose hunt. I was again foiled in the annual drawing. The percentages are so low for a non-resident to pull a tag in this lottery that I could probably cross it off every year. But one day ...

I did put in again for the Vermont moose draw, but again, we're talking pretty astronomical odds here. Sure would make for a fun fall though if it did come through for me.

The scenery and stiff breezes from the Kansas and Iowa episodes taken in the Primos deer video did look refreshing with all the heat we've been having lately here in Michigan. I know I could have been beamed up from the sofa and strapped into one of their treestands with little resistance.

From prior investigation, I know you have to put in a lot earlier in the year to hunt the monster bucks in those two states anyway.

But I do like summer no matter how hot it is right now and despite my love for deer archery, I'm not ready for autumn just yet. Maybe another couple weeks of getting dive bombed by biting flies in the backyard will get me there.

Late summer remains one of my favorite times of the year with the dark yellow hues of golden rod and striking pastels of purple loosestrife dotting the roadside to go along with the comforting cooler nights for sleep.

Another vision that sticks with me is the tremendous foliage framed by the violent cloud formations streaming off of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula during the September/October bear hunting season, which reminds me, I did draw a tag for that one. I just hope I can afford to go this year.

I will attest to being a gym rat once the heat kicks in. So for now that's where I'll be for most of the upcoming weeks. And I need to be with the way my shoulder felt after a short weekend of canoeing and casting recently.

It was weak and I can't have that once I start swinging from the trees in the climber during deer archery.

Despite one snag when I felt a twinge while trying to unloosen the canoe off the top of the Jeep, I continue to feel stronger.

So let it be hot. Let it be summer.