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Friday Outdoors – 4-22-2022 – Jeff Gross
by Jeff Gross, contributing writer
Photo: Emma
Trout fishing has been excellent for many folks. Couple that with another stocking currently underway and the fishing ought to be exceptional in the coming days. I would like to point out an error as I incorrectly reported a minimum length of Land Locked Salmon at 15”. The actual minimum is 11”. The web page where I obtained the erroneous length wasn’t updated yet. My apologies and hopefully you did not throw any 12-14” salmon back as a result.
Good luck to those going out this weekend and please remember to wear your life vest if in a kayak or canoe. There was a child casualty when a small boat capsized in North Stonington, Connecticut a few days ago. Whether the child was wearing a life vest is in question. The water is still very cold and if you capsize, it won’t take long for hypothermia to set in, and you probably won’t make it to shore.
For the Turkey hunters out there: It looks like there is potential for a banner year. Fat, old Toms have been seen in a number of places. One location in western East Greenwich had 4 large Toms in a cow pasture. Apparently, there is something in the grass that appeals to them. Other Turkeys are seen in other fields around the state, unfortunately, when camera is not in hand. The youth hunters season started on the 18th so the youngsters should have a good harvest. The main season starts on April 28th and goes through May 22nd. Time to start scouting.
Because some of you hunt and/or fish in Massachusetts, I keep an eye out for any Massachusetts state announcements. There has been minimal, if any, announcements, however, this did show up the other day:
In time, animals will have more rights in Massachusetts than its citizens.
For you hikers: It is crucial that when one gets home from a hike, or if you live in the suburbs or a rural town you inspect yourself and your children for Deer and other species of Ticks, daily. Deer Ticks are now in the entire US, and as a result, new tick borne diseases are cropping up. The latest is Powassan Virus that has shown up in the state of Maine. It is fatal! And so far, there is no way to treat it. So, when you get home from working outdoors, hiking, or fishing, say on the Wood River with your partner, it is imperative to inspect each other completely under bright light for these harmful insects. One can always dim the lights and put on soft music afterwards.
See you next week.
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Jeffrey “Jeff” Gross spent 21 years as an Analytical Chemist at the USCG R&D Center in Groton, Connecticut, Woods Hole Laboratories, and Helix Technologies. Changing careers is a “great learning experience for everyone”, Jeff says, and I’m an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a student of the sciences, and the world. The US holds too many wonders not to take a chance and explore them”.
Jeff is the Model Train and Railroad entrepreneur. Proud Golden Retriever owner. Ultra strong Second Amendment Advocate and Constitutionalist. “Determined seeker of the truth”.
Jeff is a RIFGPA Legislative and Legal Officer, Freshwater Chairman, NRA Liaison.
His subjects include Outdoors, Second Amendment, Model Railroading, and Whimsical.
He can be reached at: [email protected]