It appears we have had two “100-year” rain events in the last 40 days. Local rainfall numbers range from 4 to almost 7 inches in this last deluge and, predictably, there was again substantial flooding.
The Millers River in the Farley Flats section is well over the banks again and into the brush that previously lined the river. White Pond in South Athol rose over a foot, and docks and boats were affected adversely. Sump pumps had to be brought to bear, and it is time for me to find someone familiar with installing a permanent sump pump at my daughter Jen’s abode. This should not be happening as hunting season arrives.
Speaking of hunting season, grouse season in the northern zone of New York opened Thursday, and it is time to make that drive up through Vermont and take the ferry across Lake Champlain. First, however, we need to get our upland gear together.
First and foremost, to this scribe, as Gerry LaBonte referred to me as we both donated blood at the Athol Legion this week, is making sure his feet are happy. That means good, comfortable boots and socks. That ability to wick away moisture makes all the difference in the world in preventing blisters and other foot maladies. My latest boot acquisition — there are a few pairs in the boot locker — is the L.L. Bean Technical Kangaroo Upland Boots with Boa Closure. It took me a couple years to warm up to these boots, but my New York host, an avid bird hunter, swears by them. They are kangaroo leather, which I have found to be excellent on other boots, but it has a wire closure system that you tighten with a knob. He claims that the system never loosens, and that is my pet peeve when bird hunting. Your boots strings become untied under your hunting pants and suddenly you have no ankle support. We will see if they are as good as advertised.
The socks part is easy. My feet have worn nothing but Darn Tough socks from Trailhead for about 10 years. They last forever, and if they wear out, you get them replaced for free. In 10 years, one pair needed replacement.
Last year’s big breakthrough was also from Bean’s and its lightweight upland jacket and Gore-Tex pants are light, repel briars, shed water and are waterproof. The jacket is rarely worn, as I prefer a vest unless it is very cold or rainy. My 20-year-old Bean upland vest is still my favorite, but the pockets are so worn that they required duct tape so that I do not leave a trail of 28-gauge shells behind me.
Gloves are, for me, a “must-have” because my hands would be a bloody mess from the constant fighting through brush and briars. My daughter Jilly got me a pair of Bob Allen gloves that are first out of the bag, which has a pouch with five other pairs. I like gloves. Shooting glasses with tinted lenses are also a must, and the new DefendEar digital hearing protectors will also get a thorough workout.
Choosing an orange hat from the pile is also a chore, but once the whistle is around my neck, the ensemble is complete.
Now comes the article of clothing that for the grouse and woodcock hunter is almost as important as gloves, and that is a good pair of chaps. Since noticing that the smart guys all wore them, chaps were added to the gear list. My first pair was waxed cotton from Orvis. They worked fine at keeping the briars from impaling me and shedding the morning frost or dew, so the day was not spent with soaked trousers.
We next moved on to the Lion Country Supply Better LCS Waterproof Chaps. They were favored my most of the New York crowd and were rugged Cordura fabric. They were number one until the huntsmen at the Ruffed Grouse Society New York State Grouse and Woodcock Hunt were given chaps two years ago from Dan’s Hunting Gear in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Their Brushbuster chaps were universally praised and won over everyone who used them. As a matter of fact, this writer lent his to someone at camp last season and never got them back. A new pair has been ordered, and they will be here before October starts.
Now, all I need to do is load all my gear into the Silverado and head north. As for the New England upland seasons, things start when Vermont opens Sept. 29, followed by New Hampshire on Oct. 1, and Maine gets under way on Oct. 2. Massachusetts woodcock season begins Oct. 4 and ruffed grouse (or partridge if you prefer) opens Oct. 13.
Thursday, we just missed the excitement at Quabbin Valley Healthcare on Daniel Shays Highway. My wife and I were making her daily visit to her mother, Shirley Hadfield, when we were informed that a black bear had just absconded with a bird feeder. Athol Police were called, and they provided great advice to the management of the nursing home and all of us — “Take in your birdfeeders!”
Bears are foraging and looking for easy food sources in preparation for winter. Please do them a favor and remove your feeders. It is never in the animal’s best interest to lose their fear of people, and instead, view us an easy food source.