Thankful for Cold Fronts and the Changing of Seasons
Fall 2024
L
Jon Mitzel
Great Hunting , Rough Weather
Thankful for Cold Fronts and the Changing of Seasons
Late season ducks , pheasants in the snow , hunting the November rut , December goose hunting ... What ever the game pursued , a cold front with dropping temperatures , a blustery northwest wind with precipitation is always welcome . It simple makes for a better hunting experience . After all , when you consider your time spent in the field and that you ’ ll have a hot meal and dry set of clothes waiting when you ’ re done , it ’ s not all that bad . Getting outdoors during nasty weather will leave you with some memorable hunts when “ normal ” folks would be hunkered down in their homes .
Over the years we ’ ve become dedicated to the late season . With typically fewer hunters and less pressure on birds the late season can be special , particularly when strong bird numbers are present . Interstingly , of all the years pursuing ducks and geese my most memorable hunts took place during harsh weather .
And what a great time to be in the deer woods . I can see it now while tucked in my ground blind deep in river bottom country . A whitetail doe appears through leaveless cottonwoods with a buck following only a few feet behind , head down , paying little attention to anything else going on around him . Your chances of filling a buck tag have never been better than the November rut .
I do admit , I always look forward to a nice day on the pheasant opener . Sunshine , light winds and mild temperatures , birds holding tight at your feet . Yet flushing on time is priceless . It ’ s nice to have that one weekend with mild weather , easy hunting and un-educated birds .
Interestingly , I can ’ t ignore the dream of walking for birds under a fresh , new-fallen snow , or sitting in a deer stand with a northwest wind with the November rut going strong . Don ’ t forget the timeless art of decoying ducks over large water with 20 mph northwest winds and silver dollar sized snow flakes pegging your face . From now until the end of the season , “ good ” hunting weather will be the rule . •
Dakota Country Magazine promotes the wise use of our wildlife and environmental resources in the interest of conservation , wholesome recreation and respect for life .
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Dakota Country Magazine PO Box 2714 Bismarck ND 58502 ( 701 ) 255-3031 www . dakotacountrymagazine . com
Field Staff
Bill Antonides ..................... Aberdeen Mort Bank ........................... Bismarck Brian Blackwell ...................... Webster Chuck Dieter ...................... Brookings Peggy Hankey ................... Park River Jason Mitchell .................. Devils Lake John Pollman ................... Dell Rapids Patricia Stockdill .................. Garrison Nick Simonson .................... Bismarck Clint Lindemann .................... Enderlin
DAKOTA COUNTRY MAGAZINE
( ISSN-0194-5769 ) ( USPS-471310 ) is published 10 times yearly . Subscription rate per year is $ 29 U . S ., $ 63 Canada . Mitzel Outdoor Publications , Inc . PO Box 2714 , Bismarck ND 58502 .
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Page 6 , Dakota Country , September 2024 www . dakotacountrymagazine . com