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If the idea of sitting on the ice trying to get a fish to bite doesn’t appeal to you or cross country skiing hasn’t flipped your switch, don’t give in and stay inside with the clicker in your hand.
Instead get outdoors and take a look around. Specifically keep an eye on the ground and those tracks you see in the snow.
You don’t have to go far to begin see tracks from the tiny spine-like ones birds make, to the smaller, squirrel-size impressions. Your backyard is a good place to start.
Similar to bird watching because you are trying to identify what you see, the exceptions are no binoculars are needed and being absolutely quiet isn’t required.
Training yourself to be observant and see not only the tracks but also details within those tracks and any other information with or around the track such as droppings or scat, pieces of fur or feathers.
Seeing more detail comes in handy for all sorts of hunting including mushrooms, asparagus, and some wild berries.
Sometimes you’ll see deer tracks on one side of a path but not on the path itself. Take a closer look around. You’ll probably discover them on the opposite side of the trail.
Before going out to look for tracks consider taking a notebook, pen or pencil and camera to help identify what you are tracking. A ruler is another good piece of equipment to measure tracks.
To identify tracks, draw it in your notebook or take a picture of it. Pay attention to what the track is showing you.
For instance is it round or long, is there more than one track, and can you tell if there are any pads or toenails in the track?
Draw a picture of the track in your notebook and take a picture to refer to later. Are there any other tracks with it or nearby?
Pay attention to where you find tracks. Are they near the birdfeeder, around that brush pile you are meaning to clean up in the spring or from under your garden shed?
There are many excellent field guides on animal tracks that make really good references.
Another place to begin and have fun is to take the online quiz to identify animal tracks. You can find it by visiting www.dnr.wi.gov/eek. Give it a try. It’s fun.
You’ll have fun kicking tires and checking out the 275 units and 50 brands of motorhomes, travel trailers, pop ups fifth wheels, and toy haulers at the 47th annual Detroit Camper and RV show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Feb., 6-10.
If you are in the market for an RV to use this camping season, this is a good place to see lots of them without having to go far. And many manufactures offer rebates and show prices to buyers.
Booths selling parts and accessories, on-site RV financing, RV rentals and campground information are some of the features at this show.
Race fans will want to enter to win the Ultimate MIS Race Experience package from Michigan International Speedway. Includes tickets, camping and VIP access (valued at nearly $3,000).
Coupons are available at www.marvac.org, Big Boy restaurants, and in area newspapers.
Visit one of the 20 metro Detroit NAPA Auto Parts Stores for your discount admission coupon. With this special coupon, all consumers can get $1 off any adult or senior admission.
What? The 47th Annual Detroit Camper & RV Show will be held in Novi at the Suburban Collection Showplace.
When? Feb. 6-10. Weekday hours are 2-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The cost for adult admission (ages 13 and up) is $9; senior admission is $8; children ages 12 and under are admitted free.
Other? For more information call (517) 349-8881 or visit www.marvac.org. A coupon is available at www.marvac.org, and Big Boy restaurants.
Visit a NAPA Auto Parts Stores for your discount admission coupon. With this special coupon, all consumers can get $1 off any adult or senior admission.
This year’s Great Backyard Bird Count is from Feb. 15-16. Bird watchers nationwide are expected to participate.
This is as easy as sitting in your rocking chair and watching birds for 15 minutes, adding up the numbers of each species you see and reporting the findings on www.birdcount.org.
A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada, bird observations are welcome from parks, gardens, wetlands, and backyards.
This four-day count typically receives sightings from tens of thousands of people reporting more than 600 bird species in the United States and Canada alone.
“We’re eager to see how many of the world’s 10,240 bird species will be reported during the count this year,” said Cornell Lab director John Fitzpatrick.
“We’re looking forward to this historic snapshot of birds that that will be reported from around the world. We need as many people as possible to help build the wealth of data that scientists need to track the health of bird populations through time.”
No experience is necessary to join the count. “This count is so much fun because anyone can take part, whether you are an expert, novice, or feeder watcher,” said Gary Langham, Audubon’s Chief Scientist.
Participating is easy. To learn more about how to join the count, get bird ID tips, plus downloadable instructions, web buttons, and flyers, visit www.BirdCount.org.
The count also includes a photo contest and a prize drawing for participants who enter at least one bird checklist online. Portions of the GBBC site are also now available in Spanish at www.ContandoAves.org.
Roger Beukema writes a weekly outdoors column for Journal Register Newspapers. Email him at email@example.com and read his blog at theoaklandpress.com.