2016 FISH, HUNT & RIDE -- SUMMER | Page 16

Make it a social summer in your natural world S ummer is upon us, that middle of year where you are prepping for fall hunting, wading into the middle of fishing season and mapping out new routes for off-roading. No matter where in Ontario you live, you can always find something for summer offline, and factor in social approaches too on the Internet.  Social media have become part of our lifestyle and what better way to inspire, empower motivate others than by sharing advenAMANDA LYNN and tures online. Social media apps are important MAYHEW to both the adventurist and the companies serving them, spreading the word about brands, locations to explore, assistance if needed, and of course showing-off our biggest catches, bull’s-eyes and mud tires. Researching stores for the best deals and connecting with services like a gunsmith has been easier since social media and the Internet came into the world. For summer hunting in Ontario, skunks and groundhogs are on the target list if you are into keeping in practice until fall. My Cabela’s target bag gets a lot of practice while sharpening my aim with my Easton arrows for the bow season in October. I believe you should train all year round, not just when the opportunity arises. Muscles need to be kept toned up, and equipment needs care, and there is no better way to do it than to keep at it – giving all your equipment a once over and updating where needed..  Fishing season is well under way and enjoying the waterways, streams, and back bush lakes is a great way to include a novice, family and friends, or even go at it solo. We tend to feed the bugs a bit more in the summer, so finding out how best to repel them is always trending. Have you heard of the B12 patches, do you have your own bug repellant hack? Share with us, or send me your ideas.  Hunting and fishing and in any weather – including rain – but what fun is off-roading without mud? I love the days I can jump in my Polaris ACE and take it in the bush on the way to a fishing hole, out for a tour to meet up with friends and enjoy an entire day burning gas in the outdoors. Off-roading allows you to go further, be rowdy, view scenic areas and tour to places you wouldn’t normally see from the pavement.  There are many forums online to converse and swap ideas on 16 | FISH, HUNT RIDE Amanda sighting in her rifle; and with a hefty Northern Ontario lake trout. everything from shoes and rods to rifles and bows, and even to map where you have been with your own trail ratings. This gives novice riders solid information to prepare for their own trips. Facebook groups encourage people to meet new friends, join in or take up a new hobby, and share photos and comments among newbies and old hands. And they are a constant reminder to get outdoors. Hunter education and firearms courses run all year long and weekend outdoors event like shooting, or an indoor seminar, are filling up more and more as the outdoors passion is passed down to the next generation.  I have the opportunity to widen my the sharing of my passions by filming for WILD TV this year. Keep an eye out for the 2017 run of my Just Hunt episodes there. The first will be dedicated to my mom who passed away recently. My parents taught my sister and me about the outdoors and without them I wouldn’t be living the life I have chosen. Check www.amandalynnmayhew.com for more information. www.fishhuntandride.ca