Fall is no doubt my favorite time of the year. With school in session and football season in full swing there’s no questioning that fall is right around the corner. It’s so close I can almost smell the falling leaves and the cool crisp mountain air.
Soon the mountains will show their true beauty with colorful leaves over every hill and up every holler. And of course it’s time to hit the woods as another hunting season is here. Once again, West Virginia hunters will be able to start early this year.
For me, squirrel season has always marked the true first day of the fall hunting season. I remember how excited I would get anticipating that day as a young pup. There’s nothing quite like waking up in our woods just as the sun comes up over the ridge. It’s something I never get tired of.
Squirrel hunting is the perfect way to introduce a youngster to our great outdoors. There has been a change to this year’s squirrel season as it has been extended another month and will end on February 28 instead of the end of January. The season opener was this past Saturday, September 10 so it’s time to get the guns, camo, and gear ready once again. Temperatures have been hot during the day but comfortable in the morning and perfect for hitting the woods. There’s always something to learn and it’s never too early to think about the upcoming deer seasons.
Bowhunters will also be able to climb into their tree stands soon as archery season starts on September 24. This will give West Virginia deer hunters a full 3 months to pursue whitetails. I’ve already pulled the bow out and knocked the dust off by flinging a few arrows.
It’s important to get out and do some preseason scouting to help narrow down where the deer are hanging out. The soft masts like cherries, persimmons, apples, etc. produced a good crop this year. As far as the hard mast goes, the white oaks are already starting to drop a few acorns here in central West Virginia and there are plenty of them.
The red and black oaks seem to have produced a good crop this year as well. Other hard masts like walnut, hickory, and beech have nuts on the trees I looked at but not as many as they had the last couple of years. It may be different in your hunting area so that’s why it’s important to get out there and see where the food is and is going to be when September 24 rolls around.
With the advancement in technology, trail cameras can be a great scouting tool. Most all of them have gone digital making it easier to simply change SD cards and download the pictures to your computer, ipad, viewfinder or whatever gadget you have. I’ll admit, I have a hard time keeping up with the electronical advancements but I try my best. By knowing that a big buck is in the area it makes it easier to pass on the smaller young bucks so they too will hopefully grow worthy headgear next year or the year after.
I have pictures of a decent 8 point and a 10 point that I hope to get a closer look at on September 24. Without the trail camera I’d have to wait until hunting season or spend more time scouting to determine these bucks were there. There are also a few young bucks that I plan on letting walk if they come by me as they’ll be really nice next year.
That’s why I like using trail cameras in that it shows me what’s there when I’m not. I also have a picture of sow with a cub that I’d rather observe from a distance or not see at all. That’s another thing about trail cameras in that you never know what the next picture is going to be and I always can’t wait to get home to see when I go check them.
September is here and another hunting season is upon us. Get out and enjoy the cooler weather to come. Good luck to all the hunters venturing out this year and be safe.
