Anticipation

August is not at the top of the list of sportsmen’s favorite months. Eager bass fishermen are out making some good catches, and the few groundhog hunters who are still active are pursuing the “pasture grizzlies.” However, most sportsmen are in “sleep mode.”

While in sleep mode, many sportsmen anticipate easing out of their torpor and into some active outdoor adventures. Probably the sportsmen who are most eagerly anticipating autumn are deer hunters, especially bow and crossbow hunters. Having acquired their special licenses, they are ready to get their stands and blinds set up in favorable locations. I have run into several sportsmen who are already getting stands set up. “You want to get them out early for the deer to get used to them,” one avid deer hunter told me. I have seen a couple of these early stands along streams where I have been fishing.

One concern in our area is the specter of CWD. Here in the Cove, we are right in the hotspot for this horrible, incurable disease that appears to be spreading rapidly. Several weeks ago, I reported seeing what I believe was a CWD-infected deer.

Waterfowl hunters are anticipating an active autumn. Flocks of geese are numerous in several places near the Cove and could provide exciting hunting. Hunters must obtain the proper licenses. Interestingly, PA State Sen. Dan Laughlin, who was the prime sponsor of the Saturday deer opener in Pennsylvania, did not possess all his licenses during an out-of-state waterfowl hunt last season, was apprehended, and fined.

Hopefully, duck hunters will show some restraint, since duck numbers appear to be declining.

Dove hunters, who are not numerous in the Cove, will be able to start hunting in September. These few dove hunters tell me they can hardly wait to get going. The PGC has even developed some baited areas for dove hunters that it calls “managed dove fields.”

Bear hunters hope to tag bruins during their many seasons. However, the population has been in decline, so tagging one might be tougher than usual.

Other hunters are anticipating seasons for their favorite game animals. Turkey hunters have reported seeing healthy flocks of young birds. However, on our evening rides, Donna and I haven’t seen any flocks. I have spotted a small group on the way to the creek several times.

Game wardens are probably anticipating a busy autumn, too.

A few of us — hopefully not too many — are anticipating active autumn trout fishing as the water cools. Most trout streams have been too warm to fish ethically this summer.