Eric Davis
Sun Outdoor Columnist

While it may be short-lived, I’m going to guess almost everyone is loving the warm spell after the subzero weather we had just a week ago; I know I am. Just like the first batch of good weather that hits in March or April, the urge to go outside and soak up the warmth is overpowering. The problem is, what do you do? Not everyplace is experiencing the same rate of snow and ice melt so the options vary by location.
Deer hunters who have been waiting to see if any good bucks made it through hunting season will be heading out to look for shed antlers. Of course, it will be difficult to notice any antlers on the ground if any snow is still sticking around. While wandering aimlessly around a property might lead you to finding antlers, focusing on a few locations can help increase your odds. Feeding areas such as agricultural fields or food plots can be a good place to start, especially as the snow tends to melt faster here due to receiving more sunlight than in the woods. Look around the edges of the field close to any well use trails coming into the field. Sometimes as bucks go in or out of the field their antler may snag on a twig or bush, which can pop an antler off when it ready to drop. Also, if there is a fence they need to jump over they may lose one or both antlers from the impact with the ground after jumping. Don’t forget to check scrapes that were active during the fall. Deer use scrapes year-round, they are like the fire hydrant in town that every dog must check to see who’s been there lately. Bucks checking the scrape might go for the licking branch and drop an antler.
Trappers who have taken a break due to the snow and freezing temperatures might want to break out the steel for a few days to cash in on a bump in activity. The warm spell can be a real pain for trapping in fields as mud and freezing overnight temperatures can cause a trap not to go off. However, every year when a mid-winter thaw hits the raccoons come out from their dens and roam around. It is the beginning of the breeding season so males will be on the prowl looking for a receptive female plus food options are limited. A dog proof trap works great as they help deter catching skunks, who also get active in the warm spell. Stake it down well and load it with a good food bait. Throw some fish oil down in the trap and around the location to add to its attractiveness.
Small game hunters can try to sneak in some fair-weather hunting before the seasons close at the end of February. Squirrels will be out on oak and hickory flats trying to locate any stashes left from the fall. A scoped .22 rifle will help you make longer shots as the lack of cover will make it difficult to get too close. If hunting rabbits or game birds, you may want to go up in the size of the shotgun you carry. Most animals are weary after being pursued all fall so be ready to shoot fast as they will flush or run quickly.
Fishermen and women are the only ones left out of getting in on the fun. The melting snow and ice leads to the creeks and rivers rising and being very turbid. Some places might still be fishable through the ice if it doesn’t receive too much sunlight that makes the ice cloudy and weak. If you try to ice fish after a few warms days, carry ice picks and check the ice thickness before going too far. Four inches of black ice is recommended for a person to ice fish. Cloudy ice is weaker and more likely to break than black ice. When in doubt, don’t go. However, you can get your spring fishing items out and start preparing so you’ll be ready when it is finally time to go. Grease or oil your reels, put new line on, or organize your tackle box so you know where everything is.
No matter what you do, get outside and enjoy the warm weather because it probably won’t last too long.