Woods & Water by Dick Herfindahl

As I sit here at my computer, I pause to gaze outside at a sunny, windy, warming up winter’s day. At this time of the year the sun is a welcome relief from dark and dreary with a chance of snow and wind. Now the wind alone reminds me of the season as it moves the light, fluffy snow from place to place. One good thing about the sun in the winter, it seems to have extra warming powers.

As I often do, I tend to look back at times that bring about good memories. One of those times was a few years ago when my wife Jean and I, along with our son Brian, took a few days of vacation in April to head north to the cabin. There was still plenty of snow on the ground, but we made it there without a hitch.

The temperatures were in the 20’s during the day and dropped to single digits at night but our wood stove kept the cabin nice and cozy. We had a campfire going outside and were able to sit around it during the day as we watched nature display itself in all its beauty.

We filled the feeders shortly after arriving and it wasn’t long before the black capped chickadees, nuthatches and pine sparrows discovered the food, and had passed the good news on to the other critters. It wasn’t long before we also had red squirrels visiting the feeders.

Brian filled the entertainment gap by sending a few snowballs their way. The squirrels were pretty skilled at avoiding the snowballs and would jump out of harm’s way every time, they seemed to make it into a game and would never leave the area. They would chatter at him from time to time as if they were scolding him. This almost made it seem as if they were taunting him and even daring him to hit them. This was a game that was played on a daily basis but alas, he finally did hit one and as the little bushy tailed rodent dropped to the ground it shook its head, chattered and came back for more. If this was a game of winner take all I would have to say the squirrels probably made a haul.

The peace and quiet of a few days of winter spent at our little cabin in the woods are priceless. These are the times that memories are made of, no big fish to brag about, no game roasting over an open fire; just time spent outdoors letting nature be the entertainment.

After reminiscing about that trip I am getting antsy to head north for a few days. I am also a realist so I will probably wait a couple of months before putting that plan into action.

Apply through Friday for spring turkey A and B lottery permits

Spring turkey hunters hoping to bag a tom during the first two weeks of the season have until Friday, Jan. 26, to apply for a lottery permit.

The season runs from April 18 to May 31 and is divided into six hunt periods, A through F (see table below). Hunt A and B licenses for firearms hunters age 18 and older are limited in availability and assigned via lottery drawing.

Turkey lottery applications cost $5 and can be purchased online at mndnr.gov/licenses, by phone at 888-665-4236, or in person from a license agent. Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail by mid-February and can purchase their hunting license starting March 1.

Firearms licenses for hunts C, D, E and F are not lottery-limited and will be available for purchase over-the-counter beginning March 1. All licensed turkey hunters can participate in Hunt F if they have an unused tag from one of the earlier hunt periods.

Archery and youth hunters (under 18) are exempt from the lottery and may purchase a spring turkey license valid during all hunt periods, including hunts A and B.

Surplus lottery licenses from hunts A and B, if available, will be sold over-the-counter starting in mid-March.

Visit mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey for more information about turkey hunting in Minnesota.

2018 spring turkey hunt periods

Hunt A: April 18-24

Hunt B: April 25-May 1

Hunt C: May 2-8

Hunt D: May 9-15

Hunt E: May 16-22

Hunt F: May 23-31

Until next time; spend some time in the outdoors sharing an adventure with a youth, whether it be your child, grandchild or a friend’s child. It’s what memories are made of.

Please take some time to honor those who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today. Also, take some time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who served and those troops serving today.