Weird and wacky weather patterns are nothing new to hunters and if you've been following the national forecast the past few days you probably noticed some wide swings in temperature extremes. For instance, the East Coast is in the middle of record-setting heat. Warnings are out suggesting people stay in their homes with the air conditioning on to avoid heat exhaustion or other heat ailments.
It wasn't like that in my Western neighborhood. In fact, there were several days over the long weekend that I thought it would snow at any moment. It made for some interesting camping and limited our wilderness bathing to the first day when the temperature was in the 70s. Temperatures barely made it to the 50s after that and by the time we loaded the horse trailer again to pack out of the high country there was a forecast for snow. Yes, snow!
Hunting season offers the same fluctuations and if you're going to be successful you need to be able to swap cold-weather strategies for a warm-weather ambush. While you're busy planning for a morning of rattling when there's frost on the pumpkin you also need to think ahead in case there's a heat wave. It's not at all uncommon to hunt deer or elk when temperatures exceed 70 degrees. Think about water. Think about shady bedrooms. Think about food sources in cool locations.
Despite the current global warming cheerleader being sidelined for a masseuse infraction I can guarantee you this much. This coming hunting season at least one of your hunts will be altered by an unusual temperature spike. Think ahead for a backup strategy to keep you in the game.
Hurry up and bathe Sage before the creek freezes!