Our ancestors have been hunting, fishing and gathering since the beginning of mankind. Springtime provides us with some of the finest opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.  Time spent hunting, fishing, and gathering will help cleanse the soul and remind us about the finer things in life.

TURKEY HUNTING - Spring turkey season typically kicks off in early April and runs through late May in most parts of the country.  Turkey hunting is an excellent way to introduce youth to the sport of hunting.  Wild turkeys are extremely vocal this time of year and the weather is much more favorable than it can be during the fall/winter seasons.  The spring season coincides with the wild turkey’s breeding season so the gobblers may be a bit reluctant to leave the hens especially early in the season.  Some of the best action in the turkey woods often occurs mid-late morning once the hens have left the gobblers to go tend to their nests.  The most favorable time to call in a big gobbler is during the last week or two of the season when most of the hens are sitting on their nests.

MUSHROOM HUNTING - Gathering Morel mushrooms is a beloved spring pastime throughout the country. You’ll know it’s time to begin your search when you begin to see Lilacs budding, May Apples blooming, and Oak leaves the size of a squirrel’s ear. Morel mushrooms blend into their environment exceptionally well so it’s very important to take your time and go slow.  When you find one there are usually more hiding in that immediate area. Early in the season, concentrate your efforts on south-facing slopes before focusing on more north-facing slopes as the season progresses.  The majority of Morel mushrooms are found in and around the timber, streams, and creeks, but a few other places that often go overlooked are fence lines and areas that have been logged or burned. Morel Mushrooms have a symbiotic relationship with dying trees (especially Elm and Ash) that are still in the process of losing their bark.  Those that can find Morel mushrooms are rewarded with a rare delicacy that only comes around once a year.

FISHING - Springtime also offers some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. Crappies are one of America’s most plentiful and popular game fish for good reason. Crappies begin to move into the shoreline to spawn as the water temps reach the upper 50’s, making them much easier to catch than during other times of the year.  Do yourself a favor and grab your fishing poles and some minnows and head to the nearest lake or farm pond.  With any luck at all, the fish will do their part to provide you and your family with some cheap entertainment, excellent table fare, and most importantly, memories that will last a lifetime.

If you are looking to purchase a recreational farm to enjoy these types of activities and more, please reach out to a Peoples Company broker today.