If Punxsutaney Phil was right – and I'd guess he was – the months of February and March will be the wind-down of winter weather, as well as several winter activities that many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy. Most small game seasons close the end of this month, with coyote being the lone one that remains open (until March 28). Crow hunting is also available but not many partake in it these days. But depending on the amount of snowfall and temperatures we experience, there remains a variety of cold weather activities to get us outdoors.
Ice fishing can often be done well into March if the ice thickness on our lakes and ponds remains adequately safe. In addition to warm temperatures and rain, the biggest enemy of late-winter ice is a thick, insulating cover of snow, so be especially careful on any waters that have several inches of snow atop the ice. The best insurance is to drill a test hole fairly close to shore where the water is shallow, then if it's still thick enough, drill a couple more progressively farther out. Any solid ice that's less than 4-5 inches thick at this time of the year indicates dangerous conditions since there could be thin spots where incoming springs are located in the lake bottom.
This Saturday will be the Annual Lions Club Perch Derby at Chenango Lake. The event starts at 7 a.m. And runs until 3 p.m. There will be chances to win raffle prizes and purchase food and drink. Of course you don't have to necessarily be an ice fisherman to enjoy the spectacle and camaraderie, and the event often attracts as many visitors as anglers. Just dress warm and wear boots. And bring your camera.
We haven't had a lot of snow in much of our area this winter (not that I'm complaining) but there's still sufficient amounts on several state forestland truck and cross country trails (Whaupaunaucau SF for example) to do some cross country skiing. The truck trails can still provide skiing and snowmobiling as well. And if we get additional snowfall, which is likely, these opportunities will only improve.
During many winters, the snowfall depths are often sufficiently deep that trying to take a walk in the woods and fields requires snowshoes or skis, but that's not the case right now. So if you don't snowshoe or ski, you can still traverse the off-road areas on foot. You may encounter some deeper snow depths in the shaded areas, such as beneath dense conifer stands, or areas where drifts have built up and remain, but generally your traveling will be fairly east.
If you're not a fan of “bushwhacking,” the aforementioned trails can be used, thus generally avoiding fallen trees and low-hanging branches or boughs that are normal in non-trail areas. There's also trail and hiking opportunities via our local share of the Finger Lakes Trail system, and residents in the Norwich area can utilize the readily accessible Hosbach Trail off Prentice Street.
