After going through a couple of bouts of shoveling more snow than I care to, I have come to the conclusion that my back is already anticipating the onset of spring. With that being said, I am going to have to be content to make the best out of the next few months. This actually will not be all that hard to do because I still love the four seasons and winter always holds a special place in my heart.

With Christmas looming ever-so-close on the horizon, I am looking forward to our annual lefse-making day at my sister Judy’s. I can’t really remember when we started this lefse making tradition. I do know that we started making lefse at my mom and dad’s house many years ago, and when she passed, my sister and I took it up. The lefse-making has now branched out to include our kids, grandkids and others. This is a good thing because there is no such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to this day. The more help you have, the less work it is for everyone. This is another event that has taken its place on the list of family traditions.

Although it is a few weeks away, I am looking forward to the day I am trolling the meat aisle at the local supermarket in search of lutefisk, oysters and pickled herring, which are staples for our traditional Norwegian Christmas feast. My mouth is beginning to water just thinking about these tasty morsels.

We are having our Indian winter, judging by the mild temperatures of this week, but alas, it sounds like we will be plunging into the deep freeze within a few days. Enjoy it (the nice weather) while it’s there, because eventually it will change. When it comes to the weather, I have never been one to look too far ahead (unless it involves fishing) because it is still one of the few things left that man cannot control.

The one thing I like about having a cover of snow on the ground is at night, when the moon is shining brightly on the fallen snow. This gives me a feeling of tranquility. There is just a certain peaceful feeling I get when the moonlight reflects off the snow.

I work part time at City Arena and there are many nights when I arrive home only to be greeted by one or two of the rabbits that inhabit our yards. It almost seems as if they are sitting in my driveway waiting for me to come home. I enjoy watching the various critters like squirrels and rabbits that frequent my yard, especially during the winter months. We still have a few birds at the feeders, nuthatches, black capped chickadees and an occasional cardinal are there through the winter. They always know where they can find food whenever they need to.

I don’t know when I made the transition to bird watching, but if I were to venture a guess, it just might have something to do with age. I believe I have slowed down enough to actually take the time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. We are surrounded by wildlife, whether it is in the city or out in the country. Nature has a theater full of natural entertainment waiting for us if we will just take the time to enjoy it.

Pheasant hunting is a great excuse to get outdoors in December

Late season conditions are shaping up favorably for pheasant hunters this December.

“As the season has progressed, we’re getting more reports of hunters seeing and harvesting birds,” said Tim Lyons, upland game research scientist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “In some areas, the season, which ends in just under a month, may just be starting to heat up.”

Wet weather and a late pheasant hatch may have led to a slower than expected start to the hunting season. As hunters are only allowed to harvest roosters, some hunters earlier in the season reported not shooting birds they flushed because the birds were too young to easily identify as roosters or hens. Now, birds that hunters passed on in the early season should be in full plumage.

Delayed harvest of row crops may also have factored into the slow start to the season. But things are looking up, because as harvest has progressed, ring-necks that previously escaped hunting pressure by moving to standing crops are now concentrated in grasslands.

What’s more, cattail sloughs should become more accessible as weather turns colder later in the season and wetlands freeze up. Late-season hunters who are willing to get into tougher-to-reach areas will have opportunities to harvest birds.

Regardless of whether any roosters are in the bag, another bonus of late-season pheasant hunting is getting away from the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season.

“Pheasant hunting is a great way to stretch your legs and get into the fresh air and sunshine, particularly at a time of year when the days are shorter and many of us spend more time indoors,” Lyons said. “It can be an opportunity to introduce someone new to pheasant hunting.”

Earlier this year, the DNR reported a decline in pheasant numbers from roadside counts. Though some areas of the state are undoubtedly experiencing lower numbers of birds, many hunters are finding success despite the apparent decline in pheasant numbers.

Until next time, be extremely cautious when even thinking about ice fishing. With the hot-cold-hot-cold weather that we have had as of late, it is important to know the ice thickness before venturing out. It should be a consistent 4-inches before you even walk on it. Enjoy the outdoors adventure. Be safe!

Please remember to keep our service men and women in your thoughts and prayers. Without them we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today. When you show respect for our flag, you are also honoring them.