As if a global pandemic isn’t bad enough on its own, it has also canceled everything interesting for the foreseeable future. There’s nothing good to watch on TV, every gathering of more than four people has been nixed, and the store shelves have been picked clean of anything useful. And to top it all off, we’re between hunting seasons. The light goose conservation order is in effect, so you do have that option, and predator hunting is open all year. That’s all good, but it doesn’t provide a lot of variety.
There’s always fishing, though. Fishing season runs all year around, so you can go fishing anytime you have a few free hours. If it’s cold enough, you can do a little ice fishing. If there’s open water, you can cast a fly, fling a spinner, drop a jig or drown a worm. There are as many ways to fish as there are fishermen. Just get out to the lake, crick or river and do what you like to do.
If you just can’t bear the thought of spending more than a couple of weeks without a shotgun or rifle in your hands, get out to the shooting range. If you’re planning to go turkey hunting, you should probably pattern your turkey shotgun, anyway. Or sight in your rifle, if you hunt turkeys with it.
While you’re there, practice with your other guns, too. Take your deer or elk rifle with you when you go, and send a couple dozen rounds down the barrel. Practice from different ranges and from different stances. The more familiar you are with your hunting rifles, the better you’ll shoot when fall comes along. Shoot a few clay pigeons with your shotgun, too. Not only is it good practice, it’s also good fun.
But there’s more to do than fish or shoot. Wyoming’s outdoors have plenty to offer, and there is enough space out there to stay far away from other humans that might make you sick. All the health professionals are saying you should keep your distance from strangers in order to slow the spread of this stupid Coronavirus, so it’s your humanitarian duty to go camping, hiking, fishing or hunting. It’s a little early in the season, and the nights will be pretty cold, but a cold night in a tent is better than a warm night in a hospital, right?
Stay healthy. Get outside.
