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Grandfather and grandson on the Missouri
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In my 30 years I’ve lived in a few places and met a lot of people, and I’ve yet to hear anyone in North Dakota say, “you know, summer is just too long.”
Granted, many residents look forward to fall and hunting seasons, but for most people fall is something you get to do in addition to summer, not something that we would accept as a replacement.
If you’re like me, the warm months go too fast and you’ve probably got a list of projects that is much too long to complete in the remaining days we can still justify as summer. Not to worry. That door that needs to be replaced will still need it a few months from now, and if you make it before the snow flies, you’ll be fine.
Instead, as summer races into August, take a step back and squeeze in as many last minutes, hours and days possible before the kids go back to school and fishing tackle is totally replaced by camouflage clothing and shotgun shells on display counters.
Here are some friendly suggestions to help you fill the rest of your summer.
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Kid enjoying a day on the Sheyenne River
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This August, take a kid fishing. Not your own child, or a neighbor who fishes more often than Tony Dean. Find a youngster who hasn’t had the chance to spend a day casting for crappies, bluegill or even bullheads. More than a chance to fish, you’ll experience some quality time and have an opportunity to connect, and that’s really all a kid wants.
You don’t have to X out three days and plan a hundred-mile trip from home. We’re lucky enough in North Dakota that it’s never really more than a half-hour drive to the nearest pond or riverbank to wet a line. And all that’s needed for equipment is a, hook, bobber and worm at the end of the fishing line, an easy recipe for an enjoyable outing.
Or how about an evening just soaking up the warm rays of a setting sun over the prairie. Whether it’s Williston, Wahpeton or anyplace in between, head out after supper and a couple of hours counting our blessings. No matter the size of town you call home, within a few miles you’re bound to hear the call of a western meadowlark, or see a gaggle of geese, or young deer discovering their new surroundings.
That’s the type of experience that proves just how fortunate we are to live in this place called North Dakota.
Again, I’m not suggesting anything labor intensive. Just a simple drive in the country with maybe a pair of binoculars on the seat beside you.
Too many of us take the outdoors and all it affords for granted. Ask a transplant to some coastal, metro area what they miss most, and near the top of any list will be the beautiful prairie sunsets, the sights and sounds of all that is wild.
That’s why I’m not trying to fast-forward the clock. One look at the calendar and you’ll see that morning dove, archery deer and early Canada goose seasons will arrive soon enough. But let the planning and evenings of touching up decoys and practicing shotgunning skills come gradually.
For the time being it’s summer, and within a couple of months we’ll likely see the first flakes of snow.
If you haven’t taken that neighbor kid fishing yet, or watched the sun set with no buildings in the way, there’s still time. I’m in the same boat you are…but that will change—soon.
Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Dept. He can be reached via email: dleier@state.nd.us
Photo credits to the ND Game and Fish Department
