Turning the corner and heading for August

I know it's tough to even imagine it, especially when the mercury is threatening to burst out the top of the thermometer, but hunting season is right

around the corner. August is the month that gets everything kicked off, hunters and fishermen alike can see the light at the end of the summer tunnel. For the fishermen it's just now getting right on Sabine lake, the trout and redfish are doing their typical summer shuffle in the middle of the day all over the open lake. Shad, shrimp, and mullet are looking for places to hide as the clock starts to tick around lunch time. The lake gets slick and the fish are easy to spot once they really get wound up, it is the prelude to the much anticipated fall months that all Sabine lake regulars look forward to.

Waterfowl hunters are quietly rejoicing at the beautiful lush marshes that came compliments of early season rains. By the looks of things it appears that the habitat for holding ducks is head and shoulders above what it was last year. In the past few seasons most of the ducks that came into our area never stayed for any length of time due to poor forage and high salt content in the marshes, as of right now that does not appear to be a problem. Only time will tell if the good fortune persists. Most duck and goose hunters are already starting to exercise their dogs, daily walks and general obedience training are great ways to start off. Remember the heat is really tough on dogs so be careful not to over do anything, slow steady increases in activity will pay big dividends during the season.

The dogs are not the only ones who need a little workout, hunters must start getting themselves in shape as well. Physical shape is a must, be ready for the rigors of the hunting season so you can enjoy it instead of working at it. Another type of shape that is just as important is shooting shape. Get out to the local gun range and shoot, then shoot some more. Practice with sporting clays for waterfowlers is the best way to insure a more productive season. Most hunters wait until the very last minute to do any pre-hunt shooting, opening morning is not the time to be working on your technique or follow through. Rifle hunters can take some time to check out their weapons as well, by becoming comfortable with your firearm again you can really put some odds in your favor.

Waterfowl hunters are not the only ones getting ready to switch gears, the archery folks are already moving in that direction. My "hunting barometer" forever has been the parking lot at Precision Archery in Bridge City. It sometimes seems like overnight it can go from a handful of trucks to standing room only as bowhunters prepare for the early archery season in Texas as well as a few other states. You can bet the farm that the crowds will continue build at down there as August officially gets here and local outdoors enthusiasts start to entertain more thoughts of hunting. The conditions right now are still very dry but the weather pattern that is starting to produce small rains more often is helping to keep things as green as they possibly can stay, especially when the temps hover near 100 degrees like they have been. Regardless of the conditions you can bet as soon as its legal to hunt there will be plenty of folks in the woods ready to launch an arrow.

The month of August is almost here and the great days of fall and winter are not nearly as far off as they seem right now. Take this time to get yourself ready for the upcoming hunting season and be sure not to miss out on any of the good fishing that is sure to be in store for us. We still have plenty of heat left to get through, but the good stuff is really close.