Soon After the Snow Melts Off

[Dean Romig]

My mind drifts away from these frozen mountains of snow to the balmy spring days of turkey season. Yes, there will still be snow beneath the spruces where the warming rays of the sun doesn't penetrate but it will be gone in the open areas. And the turkeys will be coming to the clearings and fields just around sun-up to scratch and feed. I'll be there waiting, motionless with my hands around the grip of a Parker, waiting for the flapping of the first bird to fly down - and the second, and third, and then the fourth, fifth, sixth... until they're all on the ground and making their way toward my hide. It's almost like the anticipation of opening day of grouse season... but different.

The first picture was taken in early April last year - can you feel it?... Spring at last. The steamy fog in the morning permeates the woods as the snow melts away among the roost trees.

It won't be long now...




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