Outdoors Back to Nature

Fall in North Carolina is a great time to be OUTDOORS. The Eastern Deer Season(the regular Gun season) lasts through Jan 1st. Dog hunting is still popular in eastern NC, but still(in a stand)hunting is becoming more popular among gun hunters. I have seen many deer along the roads this year, with several close calls(barely avoided collisions). The LAST segment of Duck season is December 19th-January 30th. This part of the season usually yields a wider range of duck species, compared to the early segments. Resident Canada Goose season(also last segment)runs from December 19th-February 6th.  

For those wanting a more tranquil OUTDOOR experience, check out Rhodes Pond in north Cumberland County, just off of Interstate 95, near Godwin. Rhodes Pond has been part of the landscape since the 1740s. It covers 460 acres of the Black River Township. Around 5 years ago the future of the pond was in question, but the NC DOT came to the rescue and puchased the property as a wetland mitigation deal. Now generations to come can enjoy fishing, birdwatching or just floating along enjoying the scenery(ancient Cypress trees,lilies, blackwater, etc.). The property is now managed by the NC Wildlife Commission.  Another place to enjoy some Largemouth Bass and Crappie fishing is Harris Lake, in Wake County. A Bass tourney angler says the areas of aquatic grass on Harris Lake are great places to catch some lunker bass. I will try to remind you of this in my Spring edition, which is usually the best time to fish the floating grass mats. This time of year be looking for the schools of shad and you will probably find some big bass. I also want to mention Specaled Trout fishing along the Sounds and Coastal Rivers/Creeks. This is a great time of year to try catching some of these beautiful and tasty fish.  

The North Carolina Mountains are some of the most beautiful places in God’s Creation. The Snow Skiiing/Boarding season will start before you know it, several snow falls have already blanketed the region.           

The peak Fall colors have passed in the NC Mountains, but the Piedmont and Coastal Plain still have some beautiful Fall colors. The Hickory & Cypress are at peak color here in Cumberland County. Deer season is wide open in the Tarheel State. Many Hunt Clubs are killing more Doe deer now days, to improve the quality of Buck deer. This deer management stradegy is definitely starting to show positive results. The Bass fishing is still productive on many NC lakes. Saltwater fishing is great on the NC coast. Virginia mullet, speckled trout, blue fish, red drum and spots are favorite catches this time of year. The NC Duck Season reopens Saturday November 8th and stays open through Thanksgiving weekend. Mourning Dove season also reopens in November. This month is the peak for Wood duck population in North Carolina. The other duck species usually start peaking in December and January. Other great outdoor activities in the NC Mountains are Snow Skiing and Snow Boarding. When the weather is cold enough the snow making machines create winter wonderland if mother nature does not precipitate.  

I want to start a new subject today, the importance of Forestry in North Carolina. Private Forest Landowners in NC can have a big impact on the future enjoyment of Outdoors in NC. Good Forest Management practices by NC Forest Landowners will help provide habitat for many wildlife species. Controlled fire, harvests and herbicide use are major tools in forest management. Please support your neighbors, by tolerating some short term inconveniences. The ability of landowners to practice sound forest management, will determine the amount of acres staying in productive forests(for wildlife, hunting & recreation).