PUTZING AROUND OUTDOORS
A Lesson To Be Learned
Editor’s note: To keep track of what he is doing and where, to see his photos and read some of his other writings, including his book, “Tales of The Peshtigo Putzer,” check out his website: www.jerrykiesowoc.com.
The last time I scribbled this trivel, I made mention of hunting turkey, during the second season, in zone 5, for only an hour and a half. And, at that time, the question, “Why such a short hunt?” came up. I mean, our cottage is in the zone and I had a permit in my pocket. Why would I only hunt for an hour and a half, of one day of the season? It wasn’t that I filled the tag.
Well ... I promised I’d tell you, and now I will. Hopefully, you who are in our same or similar situation, will learn from my “miscalculation.”
It all goes back to last November when we closed the cottage for the season. We do not keep the shack open all year - it is too much trouble and costs too much money to do that. What we normally do is have the propane tank filled just before we close, before snow becomes an issue.
For whatever reason(s), we did not do that in 2012.
In 2012, as we closed, I knew we had enough gas to get us through the winter. We only keep the pilot lights, on the stove and heater, burning, and they only use about five pounds of fuel during the winter. We had more than that before we had to order gas, so we (I) decided to wait until spring before filling up.
Well, you all know how early spring came this year. (I think all the lakes will be ice free as you read this.)
Two weeks prior to my critter-check/turkey-season, my last Putzing Around Outdoors tale, I called the neighbor and asked about the snow depth. Our family, we and the kids, had planned a day trip north to see how the place was “wintering.” The neighbor said, “You can park in our driveway and walk over. Might want to bring your snowshoes.” That pretty much told us what we needed to know.
This is how the author pictured the second season in zone 5 would turn out. It did not.
That was a good trip - great weather, cottage snuggly intact - but, and here was the rub, the amount of gas in the tank was inadequate to consider opening the place up until we got a fresh fill; and that was not going to happen until most of the snow melted.
Fast forward to the trip to check that critter hole (and my turkey season). Even though the snow had melted some, the gas company had still not been able to get a truck in to fill the tank. (I had called and asked.) That is why, when I got there, I shoveled the snow at the entrance to the drive and then drove in. Now, I could tell the gas company they could get into the driveway.
However, as I related in the “Putzing With a Purpose” story, that would not be soon enough to open the cottage. My season was now. It was Saturday. I could not call until Monday, and who knew when they would get there? Therefore, all I could do, was hunt for the aforementioned hour and a half.
What have I learned from this, and if you are in the same/similar situation, what can you learn from my experience? Fill the gas tank at the end of the season!!
Monday morning quarterbacking this: If I had filled the tank last fall, I could have simply parked in my neighbor’s drive, opened the place up, and hunted for the entire season - with ample gas to heat and cook.
Remember, you never know, when you head north, when you will want to spend a night or draw a tag for an early turkey season - both require an ample supply of propane.
Oh well, some of us only learn when we experience something the hard, humbling, way.
Until next time, keep a good thought!
Jerry