The Rural Voice, 2001-10, Page 28ur small woodlot
offered a
surprisingly
endless harvest for our
family. My father planted
it in the early '60s on land
that was poorly drained
and considered to be of
little value agriculturally.
Its young trees were
seemingly forever too
small to harvest for
lumber. But like any
woodlot. ours offered a
recreational and
educational bounty that
can be managed along
side any other intended
harvest or management
interest.
Our woodlot has
matured and we plan to
ensure that the
recreational dividends
continue to be received.
After all, I'm not alone
when I say one of my
favourite activities as I
grew up was "heading
back to the bush". Such
journeys of discovery are
a common admission
amongst many an old-
timer I've spoken with.
For many, myself
included, it still is a
cherished activity – or one
Woodlots for
Walking!
There's more value in woodlots than just
the value of the timber harvested
By Larry hell.
Ygtwoodlots can add_;.4
Yah able i - s � Ot t a
fast , batt a other,'
plgasuresf-" t;be
measured i daaars.
to be shared between
generations. Our woodlot
has already been shared
and enjoyed by three
generations (soon to be
four).
Today, as I take stock
of our woodlot, it is not
hard to identify, protect or
enhance those features
that have always made it
such a joy to explore.
Take for example, those
features that attract and
keep wildlife. I need only
to look back to my youth,
30 -plus years ago, when I
first learned exactly where
to look for some of the
wildlife that inhabited our
bush.
My first stop was
usually at a stone pile at
its edge where I
sometimes found the den
site of a familyof foxes,
or caught a glimpse of a
weasel. Of course rabbits
hid near piles of fallen
branches, and lots of
interesting things lived
under the. fallen and
decaying logs — or an
uprooted tree. Every trip
included a visit to a large
hollow oak tree in the
center of our bush. The
Tips for seeing more wildlife
By Larry Drew
Many animals become more active during late dusk
and early dawn. This is the best time u, watch
tor deer heading to and from feeding areas, or to
see a family of raccoons returning from a night's foraging.
Your best chance of seeing wildlife going about their
daily activities is to sit quietly in one spot, and watch and
listen while you wait. Give it an hour or more after finding
a comfortable place at the base of a tree or amongst some
branches. Stealth takes practice and patience, but I have
been rewarded many times, as the woodland seems to
forget I'm there and it comes alive.
On one such occasion, I watched a family of raccoons
ascend my old oak tree while several deer made their way
into the bush to bed down for the day. Soon, I was focused
on a couple of rabbits casually foraging nearby and a
squirrel busily building a nest of leaves overhead.
With my binoculars at hand, I was also able to watch
activities of several different species of birds, including a
sharp -shined hawk as it hunted and then returned to its
perch just meters away.
When walking through the woods move slowly,
stopping and standing still every few steps. Keep your
movement to a minimum for several minutes while you
listen for rustling and watch for any movement around
you. To counter the animal's sense of smell, walk into the
direction of any breeze. While this stalking technique
might give you a chance of becoming aware of nearby
animals before they become aware of you, chances are that
many are already watching you. For example, if well
hidden, a cottontail will sit tight until you almost step on it.
However, by stopping frequently, you might fool the
cottontail into thinking that you have spotted it. As you
pause, one might spring up from under your feet. The
stronger -willed ones will sit tight and often move to a safer
spot once you pass by. You can. sometimes glimpse them
by frequently looking back.
Many animals remain hard to see, and many are
nocturnal. However, learning to recognize the many
animal tracks and signs will help you notice and recognize
more, and enhance any walk in the woods. There are
many good guidebooks available.0
24 THE RURAL VOICE