by Brian G. Schommer

September marks the start of what over 1.3 Million residents of Minnesota and Wisconsin look forward to every year… HUNTING SEASON. As one of those 1.3 Million, I don’t take nearly as much time to get out and hunt as I would like. I say EVERY YEAR, “This is the year that I am going to get out more.” Hopefully, writing this column will provide extra motivation and 2020 is ACTUALLY THE YEAR. I will attempt to get out hunting and provide my seven faithful readers some mild entertainment and stories of my butt getting off the couch and spending time with Sadie the Wonder Lab.

In Minnesota, Dove, Snipe, Rail, Bear and Crow all became fair game for those holding a license on the First of September. If it’s “honkers” you desire, the Early Season Goose opener is Saturday (9/5/2020) with the Youth Waterfowl Hunt beginning on September 12th. Youth hunts are a great opportunity to introduce kids to the great outdoors and to an activity that doesn’t include a computer monitor or television screen. A week later, Grouse, Crane, Woodcock, Squirrel and the Archery Deer Season open on September 19th with the first Duck Season kicking off on September 26th. With the postponement of football at so many levels, this may be one of the few times you will see “kicking off” in this column… sad but true. October brings Fall Turkey and Pheasant openers and while Pheasants are hard to come by in these parts, unless you hunt a nearby game farm (or around one), it’s still a great way to get out and if you are lucky enough to have a good four-legged hunting partner, pheasant hunting still beats a day inside the house. November marks the gun season for deer and that, without question is when the largest number of hunters will take to the woods. Stay-tuned for deer camp stories… as for factual content, only time will tell as deer hunters and columnists tend to spin a few yarns here and there. For more on Minnesota seasons, the Department of Natural Resources website has all the information one would need at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ hunting/seasons.

Wisconsin seasons are very similar to Minnesota and if you go to www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/dates, you will find all the information you need. I have hunted Wisconsin a several times in search of both deer and turkey. I can brag about bagging some Wisconsin Turkeys which, by the way taste the same as… Minnesota Turkeys. Bet you thought I was going to say “Chicken.” Personally, Wild Turkey is much better than chicken if prepared correctly and I am not talking about the kind that comes in a bottle. I have never been able bag a Wisconsin whitetail deer and I have not hunted deer in Wisconsin for many years. I would love the opportunity again someday and I am not too proud to beg to have someone from the Wisconsin side of the river invite me over to deer hunt in “Cheeseland.” I promise not to brag about the Vikings because… our bragging rights are few and far between.

Hunting helps me realize that like most things in life, it’s not about me. It is about opportunities. Opportunity to get Sadie out to chase some pheasants and maybe retrieve a couple. The biggest challenge of pheasant hunting is finding the elusive wild pheasant. Game farms are great practice for your dog(s) but, it is “practice” for the real hunting experience in my opinion. Opportunity to be with friends, sharing your passion, time and a few stories; some true, some not so much. Getting out to the blind early to set the decoys, make sure the blind conceals our whereabouts from the wise and winged dinners that hopefully will be buzz us from above. Hearing “Ducks at three o’clock,” truly spikes the senses. Opportunity to see the fruits of your labor of training your dog. Watching him or her make a perfect retrieve is a proud moment for sure. It makes all those tosses of the dummy, frisbee, tennis ball or other item off the deck worthwhile. Opportunity to grab a bite to eat with your hunting pals at some Mom & Pop Café or munch on a couple sandwiches you packed because leaving the blind, field or woods too soon might be a bad idea. All hunters have had that “feeling” that “today is the day.” Rarely has it been “the day” for me if we are talking about bringing home my limit. Opportunity to be grateful for all we are given and the beauty that surrounds us. Opportunity to spend time doing something that you enjoy and making memories with people you care about. Opportunity to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Too often we hear (and I am guilty of saying this), “there is nothing to do.” Sorry, not sorry but I disagree – even when I am the one saying it. There are lots of opportunities to do things. Reader input is extremely important to me as I want to provide all seven of you with something to look forward to each week. The column will certainly have its fill of hunting and fishing commentary, as well as hiking, biking and maybe even camping. Recently, I conducted a Facebook poll to gather thoughts on favorite outdoor areas and activities in and around the Hastings/Prescott area with great response. If you have some thoughts on this, please share away. I promise I will not divulge coordinates of any fishing honey holes or hunting hot spots that you share with me. Should you invite me to join you on a journey, I will share our story as much as you allow. Please send thoughts, ideas and invites to [email protected] and he will forward them to me. Let’s get out and enjoy the great outdoors… the opportunity is there for the taking!!!