Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs

During my wanderings while checking out prospective turkey hunting spots I've noticed some dogwoods blooming.
So, what does that have to do with anything? Well, if you believe in such things as "signs" then you may know about dogwoods. Seems bass are supposed to start their spawn when the dogwoods bloom!
While I don't "disbelieve" in signs, I believe more in tangible indicators. Things like water temperature, moon phase and observation serve me better. Even better is when the "signs" and observable indicators coincide!
I mean, what better than dogwoods blooming when water temperatures are 64-plus degrees, the moon phase was "new" on March 22, with the full moon on April 6? And, to top it all, the buck bass (males) have bloody, worn tails from fanning out nests!
This should put the big sows (female bass) staged just on the first drop out from shore!
*I'm not sure what that means, for sure. But, it's what one of the pros said, and it sounds "professional."
In layman's terms (something us rednecks can understand) the translation is: "Bucks are makin' nests and the sows are close, so ya bes' be getting' out there!"
Bed fishing, catching females of the nest, is still somewhat of a questionable practice to me.
One school of thought is when you catch an egg laden sow you're removing the potential for a bunch of future baby bass!
The other school contends that there are so many females spawning, with millions of eggs available, that you couldn't remove enough, by fishing, to really affect the reproductive rate.
It's a personal choice, I choose not to bed fish. But, I won't condone those who do!
Also remember that I was talking about largemouth bass.
Smallmouths will spawn a little earlier, in a little deeper and cooler water.
Talked with a gentleman from Bradfordsville who is known to be a "pretty good" angler. He'd been crappie fishing at Fagan Branch and apparently done alright.
He told me he was catching in nine feet of water, fishing two feet down.
If you're looking for live bait - worms - and don't want to spend "shovel time," you can pick them up at Wal-Mart and/or Calvary Store.
For minnows, OK minners, the Calvary Store is the only local source that I know of. Course you can get a seine, wade the creeks and save a dollar or two.
Call me lazy, but I'll just buy mine!
I know I mentioned it before but wild turkey season will soon be here!
The youth weekend, for hunters under 16 years of age, is April 7 and 8. The spring season for adults starts April 14 and runs for 23 days, till May 6.
Limit is one per day, two for the season. Birds must have a "visible" beard!
As with any fish and game pursuit, ethics, along with safety, should be paramount on your mind!
Have permission to scout, not just hunt, an area your interested in. After you get permission to scout/hunt an area, go out early and listen. You may hear or see them fly down. Listen for gobblers and look for strutters.
If you don't see or hear anything, hit 'em with a locator call i.e. woodpecker, peacock, owl and/or crow calls. When you get a response, shut up!
*You cannot use a turkey call till April 7!
You owe it to yourself, and your bird, to pattern your shotgun. While it may sound like a "tall tale," shotguns will "like" (pattern) one shell type better than another. And another shotgun, "exactly" like a the one you just found the "perfect" load for, might "like" a completely different shell/load.
So, finding the load your shotgun/choke likes requires shooting several different loads. This could get real expensive, real quick.
The best, least expensive, way to try several loads it to get together with your buddies. Each hunter buys a different make/load of shell. This way you can try several loads without having to buy a lot of shells!
Mid-KY Bass Anglers will fish Green River on April 1.
We'll launch from ramp one at 8 a.m. (Lebanon time) and have a 4 p.m. weigh-in!
Cost is $20 per angler with an optional $5 per boat "big bass" pot.
Big bass is 100 percent payback. Of the $20 per angler registration fee, the club retains $5. This covers the end-of-season awards, banquet and door prizes.
Of the remaining $15, three places are paid at 50/30/20 percent to first, second and third.
Come on out, you'll have fun!
Had something amazing and sad happen. My cat, which we'd had for 23 years, got really sick, as well as old. My dog walked over the cat, stared at her a while, then ran back to the bedroom.
From somewhere in her stash, the dog retrieved one of her chew bones, brought it back and laid it in front of the cat. She'd done, in her own way, everything she could for her feline friend.
Later, after more complications, I did the only kind thing I could and had Dr. Cook put an end to her misery.
I'm not the least bit embarrassed to admit that I cried like a baby!
Guess that's it for now. Get out, enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer, stay safe and I'll see ya next week!