Now What?

The heavy doors on the old TimberLine wood stove squeaked one last time as I closed them. I spun the dampers shut and took one more look around me. The crew from out of town were already an hour down the road and all that remained was my Uncle and I. We went through the shut down process one more time. The pump's prime had been released, all the windows and doors were shut and locked, the refrigerator was cleared out, and there was a fresh stack of wood in the woodbox for next time. “ Next time” I thought to myself as we walked our way out of camp. With a big hug and a couple of “Thank yous” to each other, the camp was officially closed for the 2023 deer season. Our rifle season lasts only six weeks but the memories of the season will last a lifetime. As I closed the gate in front of our camp I took one last look at the old camp in the woods and smiled. Since 1949, family and friends have gathered at this spot in the foothills of the Adirondacks and I am grateful to be part of this long standing tradition. As I drove away I beeped my horn twice just like I always do, a gesture of saying good by one more time not only to the camp but to the old souls whose energy can still be felt within. On the trip home the reality of not going back next weekend set in. “Now what”? I asked myself. For the last month and a half every detail of my weekends had been planned out. For many North Country hunters and anglers this weekend is the end of the outdoors season for them. They will retreat back to their homes and settle in for the long cold winter ahead. However, there is much to do here in the North Country if you are willing to bundle up and get outside. For many the itch to hop on that snowmobile and tour the 100’s of trails that cover this entire region may be on their minds. Some can’t wait to hit the mountains and ski until the last remaining flakes of snow have melted and the spring flowers begin to rise from the earth. Others will start to drive by every pond and bay looking for ice so they can finally do some hard water fishing. For me this is just the beginning of a new season. Right now as I write I have a map laid out in front of me and I’m looking at my next destinations. I currently have a list of 21 ponds and lakes that I need to visit to install new signs at, as part of a project for the New York state chapter of the Native Fish Coalition.

This I will write about in an upcoming blog. Soon it will be time to break out the snow shoes and micro spikes and hit some new mountains and foot trails that are plentiful all over this area. There are also all the small game seasons that run into next February and March that I can’t wait to get to.

Then when the bitter cold winds blow I have my tying bench full of feathers, hairs, hooks and threads. Those flies won’t tie themselves and April will be here before we know it.

So as I return to my writing desk from my 6 week deer season hiatus, it is time to think winter. There is so much to explore and not nearly enough time to see it all. I look forward to sharing my 2023/2024 winter adventures with you. And, I hope you all may find a winter adventure or two of your own. I encourage you to cherish those deer season memories and get ready to answer your own “Now what?" question, with a Northern NY Adventure.

Aaron Hardy

Northern NY Adventures

“Make Life an Adventure”