WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Didn’t get a chance to make it into the woods much lately. Instead, the recent snowfall found me shoveling snow & splitting some wood. As you might already know, splitting wood can be quite easier (sometimes) after wood fibers have frozen. The wood “wants”Continue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Last night’s rain & today’s mild temperatures sure are taking care of any snow hidden here & there. Temperatures are relatively mild going forward into the 10-Day forecast too; almost resembling maple sugaring weather, especially if you’re lower in elevation near the larger valleys.Continue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? This morning found me thinking about rural odors; odors that I have to come to like (or always have). For instance, I happen to love the smell of manure; it reminds me that active agriculture is going on. This morning found me taking inContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Looks like winter temperatures are beginning to move into the Catskills this upcoming week. The high for Thursday – in the Central Catskills – is expected to be about 14˚F & a low of about 4˚F. Now is the time I’ll be searching forContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Stole some time for a couple hours Saturday evening & sat against an old stone wall waiting for a deer to show itself. Well, none showed up, but no matter. Waiting gave me some time to wonder how many hunters had hunted this littleContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Got a chance to take the gun for a walk on Opening Day of Gun Season. Saw a couple of deer. More notably, I watched a medium-sized black bear dig under leaves for food for 1/2 hour. He was so pre-occupied with his foragingContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Apple trees are tough. Many trees have long turned color & dropped their leaves to the ground; not apple. Some apples still have green leaves & haven’t given up on taking in some sunshine just yet. There is a tree here in Arkville IContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Two nights ago I got to experience quite a remote and “foresty” rendezvous just after nightfall. Just after dark & sitting 25 feet or so in a red maple I heard the soft crunches of leaves from one side. They were quickly answered byContinue Reading

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Last week I got my first doe of the hunting season (it’s currently archery season). The doe was healthy looking & average-sized for the area I hunt. Each year I take notice of the fat growing on the deer’s rump. I use this fatContinue Reading