Hunting season soon will dissolve into winter fishing. But, before we let go (maybe, some never do) it’s time to contemplate the fortune of 2011.

First, a heckuva lot of people (close to a half million in Wisconsin and Minnesota), shot a deer with gun or bow this fall. Tens of thousands more brought home Canada geese, ducks, grouse and pheasants.

While the ring-neck population was down in the fabled Dakotas, even the toughest of hunts produced a bird per gun per day.  Actually, most Dakota country hunters will tell you they did quite well. 

Again, hunters donated millions of meals of wild game and fish to the needy.

The weather was ideal in most cases and all things considered, the glorious  fall hunting seasons (which dwindle down to a very precious few later in January) were some of the best in recent memory.

With Christmas time fast approaching, maybe hunters ought to continue their conservation and charitable ways in the manner which best suits each individual. Share some of the harvest, donate to a favorite conservation group or cause. Talk some outdoors to those not tired of listening. Give a gift of a hunting or fishing license, an outdoors video or book, some field clothing or accessories,  or perhaps pledges of one or more outings to a friend who eagerly  has  been waiting to be asked along. There are many such opportunties. But, there’s a lot to be thankful for….let me know about yours.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Dave Carlson and videographer Dave Roll, and all the others for whom it is a pleasure and great responsibility to bring you Northland Adventures every week, year round.  We’ll be here again throughout 2012.

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