Kids Outdoor Outpost – May 2021

Springtime

Spring in Georgia… for those who spend much time in the outdoors, there isn’t a season that holds more promise than spring. What an awesome transition from the bleakness of winter.

I really don’t believe there is a season that carries quicker and stronger changes than spring. Summer slowly subsides here in the South. Its warmth carries through much of September and October. We watch as the green slowly fades to the brilliance of bright yellows, reds and oranges, and the last remains of leaves begin to drop away. We spend these several months chasing after whitetails with guns and bows and rack up a lot of stand time.

Then, we watch out our windows and count the days until turkey season. Maybe we hit the lake to wet a line for some stripers. But most of all, we watch and wait. We might hang a trail cam to get a potential glimpse of a quality buck or two that made it through the winter. Perhaps if you’re like me, you take the time to hike some of the wonderful and scenic trails throughout our state. I’m a mountain guy so, I really enjoy taking my new, chocolate lab Gemma for some strolls in the Chattahoochee National Forest to let her check out some of the beautiful waterfalls. That dog was born to get in the water. She loves it.

But I find it really interesting to watch how the spring slowly emerges from the winter. Subtle changes that go from the first buds on tree limbs, to the small bits of bright green foliage that begins to bloom. Unfortunately that also users in the first strains of pollen season. With daily pollen count numbers in the thousands, it can really make it difficult to spend much time outdoors.

However, as quick as it comes, it goes. The early hunts of turkey season when I can see the primary and secondary game trails that meander through the woods are now gone. The greenery has ebbed in and now makes it difficult to see more than 20 or 30 yards in the woods. With daylight savings time kicking in, the sun rays light our skies about a minute longer each day until the summer solstice in mid June. My wife and I love those days of enjoying the backyard with our dogs, cookouts and weekend fire pit sessions. Maybe even toss in a camping trip or two. Well, summer will be in full session soon.

With it, inevitably, the thoughts of the next deer season. I hope y’all enjoy it as much as me!