You may be thinking that my recent foray into rock concert reviews after writing about attending the Rolling Stones concert may have inspired this headline but that is not the case. Certainly, the Deep Purple song, written in 1971 after a real conflagration in Montreaux, Switzerland, contains one of the most recognized guitar riffs ever but the inspiration was instead provided as this writer drove Route 2 along “Farley Flats” Monday morning and observed the mist rising from the Millers River.
Anyone who has spent much time outdoors has seen the phenomenon, created when cold air comes in contact with warmer water. It evokes memories to most of a fishing, canoeing of other activity when the chilled air invigorates a person. To me, some of my best bass fishing has taken place in late summer when early morning top-water fishing can have spectacular results. It is believed that as the water cools, the fish begin to feed actively, preparing for the cold months that are coming. Whatever the reason, it is very cool visual effect.
What it also means is that the season is about to change. With Labor Day coming Monday, hunting season kicks off the following day when the early goose season starts. For this special season, there are special regulations to note. The season runs from Sept. 3 to 25. The daily bag is 15 birds. Hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to ½ HOUR AFTER SUNSET. This is different from regular waterfowl hunting seasons when the hunting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset so make sure you understand the difference in the seasons. These measures are in place to increase the chance of early season goose hunters as the resident birds that are here are abundant and in need of some reduction as they can be a nuisance in large numbers. Once the regular season goes into effect in late October and November, migrant geese, whose numbers are not abundant, will be here and the bad limit is reduced to 2 per day. All waterfowl hunters need to have a federal waterfowl stamp and a Massachusetts waterfowl stamp signed and in their possession.
Hunters need to begin to assess what preparation is needed to get ready for the upcoming seasons. Check gear, do your target practice (more on that later) and make a list of needed items. On the Tax-Free Weekend, yours truly was off early to be at Cabela’s when they opened. The object of the trip was to get two new kennels for Dinah and Laney. Last year, I noticed the new kennels from Ruff Land, and they impressed me quite a bit.
Their promo literature notes that too many dogs are injured or killed every year in vehicle accidents and, traditional dog kennels are simply not designed to protect their four-legged passengers. Ruff Land kennels feature race car-inspired Ruff-Flex™ Energy Dissipation Technology, a series of design elements that dramatically improve the odds of your dog surviving an accident.
Ruff Land’s one-piece roto-molded construction is extremely strong and the walls, top and floor on Ruff Land Kennels also have built-in flexibility which absorbs energy that would otherwise be transferred to your dog. This impressed me as the safety of “the girls” is paramount. The kennels are strong, easy to clean and feature doors that open from either side and they will never rust. With some accumulated gift cards from birthdays and Christmas, it was time to buy.
The intermediate size that I purchased also fits the two Mud River kennel covers that have become one of the most important pieces of equipment for the New York trips. They are insulated, extremely well made with a ton of features like storage pockets, and keep the dogs cool or warm and dry. Everything that I have ever seen made by Boyt (who makes the Mud River products) is top quality and made with a hunter in mind. My recent experience with customer support only reinforced that commitment to quality and my hat is off to them and all their products.
After a number of comments on my shooting after mentioning it last week I did indeed register for Wingshooting School at Orvis and Bruce Bennett and I will be spending a day in September getting a little instruction. We will see if it helps once the season starts.
Don’t forget the Orange Gun Club Field Day Saturday. There will be a chicken barbecue, chowder, hamburger stew, roast corn and activities for the kids. The meal is at 2 but you want to get there early for the preliminary food that is as good as it gets.
Also, a “shout out” to Rick Savoy who provided me with a CD of the Rolling Stones concert I attended in July at Gillette. It is a great reminder of some great Rock’N Roll!