Weather has been a bit confusing

Had to check my calendar last week! Just wanted to make sure I hadn't pulled a Rip Van Winkle! Granted, I like to sleep late sometimes, but going to sleep in early January and waking up in the spring would've been quite a stretch!
What conditions would cause such confusion? Well, thunderstorms and tornados are sort of expected in the spring, not January!
Saw firsthand what a "small" tornado does to a barn while in southern Indiana over the weekend. Barn was partially destroyed, and sat less than 100 yards from a very crowded subdivision! Those were some lucky people!
The wife and I just happened to be in the area for a trip to Bass Pro Shop. We needed to get her a new scope for my muzzleloader, and it was our anniversary!
Read something interesting on one of the Internet hunting sites. Guy asked why Ducks Unlimited didn't spend money, or very little money, in Central Kentucky?
Some of the responses were interesting. Seems most were from hunters in Western Kentucky who pointed out that 1.) Funds were spent where the ducks nest i.e. Canada and the Dakota's and 2.) Central Kentucky isn't part of any flyway!
I agree, somewhat, with both opinions. Yes, we need nesting birds, and there certainly aren't many ducks around here. We're too far east to be part of the Mississippi flyway!
So, the question "might" be "Why donate money so there'll be birds somewhere else for someone else to hunt? Just sayin'!
Don't get me wrong. I'm a card-carrying member of D.U. I just don't see getting much in the way of a return for my membership. O.K., I do get a magazine, where I can read about hunters shooting waterfowl, but not here!
However, not having much in the way of birds doesn't keep us from trying for them anyway. On a fair weather Sunday last week Terry Davis took Billy, me and my young friend, Colton Nolin, duck hunting on Green River, in his Ark, a.k.a. duck boat.
A nice hot breakfast helped to dull the edge on a definite lack of waterfowl, but after several hours of birdless skies we started to get a little antsy, plus we'd run out of stuff to eat. So, we decided to spend the rest of the day scouting, shooting ended at 2 p.m. anyway!
In one cove we spied a lone duck. The engine was cut off and after the boat had stopped moving we just hunkered down and waited. Soon, the butterball a.k.a. bufflehead got figidity and took off. We called for Colton to take the shot. Only had to say it once! He stood, swung, shot and dumped the bird. Then he let out a yell! I'm pretty sure he was excited!
Terry, Billy and I smiled. We all remembered the first duck we'd ever shot and how excited we'd been!
Colton prepared his duck and froze it in anticipation of getting a nice mount done. So, congratulations on a first bird, and welcome to the brotherhood of duckmen!
*Pictures are on Terry's Ky. Duckmen website.
Tried deer hunting with a muzzleloader this year. Let me clarify, I've hunted a side lock for several years, this year I tried an in-line, with a scope.
Didn't get a deer but loved the "extra" days of gun hunting.
Anyway, got my own in-line now so got to figure out a load, with my son's help. Powder, sabot, bullet, all in proportion and mated to give the most optimum performance and accuracy. Course to me, figuring all that out is part of the fun!
As I already said, I bought the wife a new scope to go on this gun.
By the time you read this we'll only have a week left in our waterfowl season so I guess we'll just hibernate till wild turkey season!
Well, you can if you want. Or, you can put on your cold weather gear and hunt predators or go fishing.
Most cattle/dairy farmers will let you shoot coyotes, if you act professional and ask permission.
With calves being dropped and fawns being born you'll be doing the farmer and yourself a favor by removing coyotes. Ya might even find a new place where ya can deer hunt next season.
Also, this time of year, the coyotes are like high schoolers with a car and full tank of gas. They're cruising for a hot date! And, they're a little less cautious than usual.
Do some research and learn the basics. The rest will come from experience. But ya got to get out there and do it!
Float and Fly-fishing might just get you the biggest smallmouth of the year. Deep and clear water is the ticket. Dale Hollow is a prime destination and close to us if you want to give it a try.
Course I'd give Fagan Branch some consideration for F and F. Deep sections of cold, clear water are ideal for F and F.
Any smallmouth bass there? Not stocked by the "state" but rumor has it that Cecil Gorley put a bunch in years ago. So far I've seen three, over seven pounds, caught and released there, and several other nice smallmouth too!
Can't guarantee you'll catch one, of any size. Can guarantee you won't catch one sitting at home!
Musky from the bank at Green River is something to try. Casting a big jerkbait from the state marina dam bank can produce musky this time of year.
The Mid-KY Bass Angler's kick-off "cabin fever" March tournament is worth looking forward to. Jason Spalding runs this every year and it's a great start to the season.
In that vein, I know we'll be having a Mid-KY Bass Angler meeting in February in order to set our 2012 tournament dates.
I'll let you know when and where as soon as we get it worked out.
My friend Keith Blackwell passed away last week. He lived in Lebanon for several years before moving to Adair County. He was a good guy and great step dad to my kids. He'll be missed!
The Boat, Sport and Vacation Show will be going on starting Jan. 25 and running through Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.
Check louisvilleboatshow.com for details and seminar schedules.
Guess that's it for now. Get out, enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer, stay safe and I'll see ya next week!