End of year recap

Wow, where did the time go? Who knows, but time sure seemed to pass faster than normal this year. Perhaps it was the presidential election media coverage causing the fast-paced time passage. No, can’t be, as there were periods when time seemed to stand still during the campaigns. Still, here we are, almost 363 days into the year.

It is prudent to conduct a recap of the of the year, to look at outdoor subjects covered. Then consider what should be covered next year.

Quail

Last January my friends and I spend several days hunting quail in an area where they were abundant. Several limits were taken. This allowed for a column about cleaning these little birds and, also, cooking the birds.

Word has reached this desk about the population not being as plentiful as last year. My buddies and I haven’t traveled to the area yet to hunt quail, but we will soon.

An interesting biology point here: A Fish and Wildlife biologist taught me about bird populations when I asked about the subject a few years ago. Some bird populations, such as quail, are reduced by up to 80 percent in a single year. The reduction could occur because of weather at nesting time, a harsh winter and predators, which includes hunters.

Of course, this is the simplified version and this doesn’t include birds, such as eagles. Still, a reduction of as much as 80 percent can boggle the mind. However, if conditions are correct, the quail might bounce back to the same population.

This year my plan is to grind the breast meat and use it in a soup or make it into a small meatloaf with eggs and bread crumbs. Something different for sure.

Deer

Another biology lesson was learned some 20 plus years ago. Fish and Wildlife published a single page information sheet about why hunting does was allowed.

A situation on an island in Puget Sound, don’t remember which one, had a population of 100 deer. The residents of the island complained about the animals damaging their gardens and flowers. Fish and Wildlife issued 50 permits and the population was reduced by 50 animals. The next year, the population was again 100.

How does this happen? A biologist explained fewer deer means more food, so the does may have more twins and triplets. When conditions are correct, the deer population can rebound with amazing speed.

A high deer population sometimes means the animals will causes problems with farmers and ranchers. Master hunters were called to help haze deer off hay fields south of Sprague this year.

This was an interesting experience and allowed me to observe the animals under a variety of situations. They would enter the fields after dark, but air horns, vehicle horns and paint ball guns were used to teach them to leave. At the end of the hazing period, the sight of a vehicle would send them running.

Plan to read about different deer and elk recipes next year.

Turkey

Turkey hunting was discussed in a column or two. The idea of cooking turkey legs and making the meat into sandwich spread was covered in detail. Next year look for recipes for ground turkey meat.

Survival

Several columns each year are dedicated to outdoor survival. This will continue throughout my writing career, as doing so may save a life.

Walleye

Walleye are delicious. They are considered as good as halibut at my house. This year the term walleye wings was discovered. As a consequence, this portion of the fish was harvested and cooked with relish. Most people throw them away, but they are delicious. An angler just needs to take the time to remove them from the fish and cook them. The wing meat is used for fish tacos and other recipes at my house.

Humor

A few humor columns were presented this year. Look for more in the coming year.

Ted Nugent

My first interview with Ted Nugent was over 26 years ago. We have become friends. He is a busy man with many interests going at the same time every day, yet when I send him an e-mail, he usually answers within an hour. There are times when my phone rings and I pick it up.

“Dennis, this is Ted,” he says from the other end. He may want to talk about a national or Washington state situation.

Giving back

Readers of my writings know giving back to the outdoors is important to me. This subject has been my first column each year and this will continue, in an effort to inspire others to give back in some way.

Readers

Response from readers is important. Tell me what you want covered or your opinion of the columns. Hearing from readers allows me to learn other aspects of the outdoors.

Wishing you, your family and friends the best of everything in 2017.