“Old-Timers” would predict the seasons using many different things in the natural world. Animal behavior, plants, insects (most famously the Wooly Bear Caterpillar), and when the leaves changed were just some of the observations used to predict the weather and what to expect from wildlife as a result.
A wider middle brown band on the Wooly Bear meant a mild winter. As kids, we would announce that it was going to rain if we saw cows laying down. Loud and frequent frog croaking was also a predictor of rain. A curved balsam fir stick on a board hung outside was a common rain gauge, as it would curve up for fair weather and down for rain.
Heavy acorn drops were said to be a harbinger of a harsh winter. A ring around the moon in winter was a forecast for rain within 24 hours, and of course, “Red skies at night, sailors delight, red sky in the morning, sailors take warning” is one we all remember.
Fishermen know that in May when the Shadbush is blooming the shad and salmon will be migrating soon. When you see the backside of leaves there is weather coming and you should pay heed to that in thunderstorm season. Energetic behavior in pets and children can also forecast a storm as the atmospheric pressure changes have an impact on both. Sore joints and sinus pressure afflict some as the pressure drops with weather moving in. As this writer approaches that “old timer” stage of life, my body has not yet become a reliable weather instrument – but anything is possible.
The most commonly repeated as true predictors found while researching this column are as follows. Barn swallows flying low mean rain is coming. Cats wash their faces before a heavy rain. Ants march in a line before a weather change. Roosters crow at night before bad weather. Stars twinkle intensely before a strong wind. Low chimney smoke means rain coming. A halo around the moon means rain. Since rain was so important to farmers during the agricultural age, these keys are a result of that serious interest in weather.
What triggered this column was an apple tree in Orange which had a main branch break under the weight of this year’s apples. Very unusual. Hunters are always thinking in terms of food sources. That got me thinking of my hunting years in upstate New York, which were spent hunting old, overgrown farms with now-wild apple trees. It seemed like the years with bountiful crops were years with good ruffed grouse hunting. It probably has more to do with grouse seeking this favored food and perhaps being a bit more concentrated.
Local deer hunters will tell you that if you find oak trees with abundant acorns you will find deer activity, as no food is more nutrition-loaded than acorns for deer and many other animals and birds. The woodcock that the dogs enjoy pointing feed on earthworms and the moist soil around abandoned farmland generally holds woodcock, who are nocturnal feeders, spending the day resting nearby.
With deer hunting season opening so much earlier these days, you now get to hunt before the frost and deer are still feeding on green vegetation. Since food is the key, you try to find a food source and then try to find where deer, who are also night feeders. will spend time before and after feeding and plan your hunts accordingly.
On the topic of deer hunting, unlimited permits (zones 10, 11, 13 and 14) are available now and have no daily or season purchase limit. Limited permits in zones 1, 3, 4S, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 12 will go on sale on Sept. 16.
This sale of limited permits left from the allocations of the zones will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one permit per zone per day. The fee will be $10 each for residents and $30 for non-residents. To purchase a permit, go online to MassFishHunt and log into your license account. Select the zone you want and proceed to checkout and reprint your license and permit.
Each year, MassWildlife allocates a certain number of ADPs for each wildlife management zone to meet deer management goals in different parts of the state. Hunters with a valid hunting or sporting license can apply for an ADP in the wildlife management zone of their choice; the deadline for applying is July 16 each year.
The declining number of hunters and applications has resulted in there being leftovers in some zones. In zones like our local Zone 5, this is part of the management goals to reduce the number of deer by removing females and maintaining a healthy number of deer per acre going forward, and avoid the issue in found in some zones where multiple factors have made maintaining healthy deer numbers a challenge.
Massachusetts deer season locally will kick off with archery season starting Oct. 5. The Youth Hunt will be on the preceding Saturday, Oct. 3. Shotgun season follows from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 and primitive arms season then runs from Dec. 14 to 31. Lots of days afield to enjoy and possibly put some venison in the freezer.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor for over 40 years and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.