Friday Outdoors – Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

For all you hunters and shooters: now is a good time to go through your truck and clean it out. Do not be surprised to find a shell or 2 rolling around. This writer cleaned his truck out Sunday and found 3 12- gauge in among the seats. Must have popped out of my vest. While this isn’t a problem in Rhode Island, it can cause you major grief in Connecticut or Massachusetts.

Even though hunting season is over, the ticks have not gone away.  In January, in the snow, Jada picked up a Deer Tick. Surprisingly none have shown up with this warm spell we are enjoying. Be vigilant.  Jada tested positive for Lyme at 1-year old. After treatment and continuous Lyme disease boosters each year, she tested negative last week. I hope that is a good sign for all pups that may contract the disease.  However, the mosquitoes are out something fierce, already. Here on the East Bay, they are in the yard in swarms. Not a good sign at all for tick time.

This warm weather brought the Red Wing Blackbirds in 2 weeks ago as I had them at the bird feeders.  They were also scattered around all the ponds I stopped at to catch an elusive bass. Now if I can just keep the furnace off at night! This writer noticed that there were large numbers of ducks paired up with their mates. Quite a few Mallards but a surprise grouping of Red Head Ducks. They are right on time as they are now searching out areas to safely nest.

This weather kicked the bass into overdrive as large numbers of anglers caught some very nice fish over the last week or two. While there are a lot of lunkers caught, the smallmouth bass pictured really caught my eye.  Very small smallmouth are caught in the Blackstone River, and Indian Lake supposedly has a few (unproven). This pictured fish I’m sure put up a great fight. Looks like it will be a great year. To the members of the Facebook group, “A Better 401 Fishing”: Speak up and allow this writer to share your photos. The public would love to see them.

Lastly, the RI DEM is emailing questionnaires (also by telephone if no email was provided) asking various questions on improving Fishing and Hunting sports in Rhode Island.  This is a different questionnaire than the one that came out in Fall 2021. Your responses will help improve the two outdoor sports and everyone will benefit. I speak for all sportsmen and sportswomen and respectfully ask that you fill out your copy. Also do not be shy. Share any ideas you may have. It was the sharing of ideas that put men on the moon.

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]

To read more stories by Jeff Gross: https://rinewstoday.com/jeff-gross/