Average Joe

The long-anticipated spring turkey season just ended with a beautiful hike through some iconic Berkshire hills. That deep desire to get outside after a long, cold winter is what elevates turkey hunting here in the Northeast to a premier pursuit. Harvesting a bird is always the goal, but witnessing the arrival of spring and the birth of another year is the true pull that gets you into the woods an hour before sunrise. Having participated in every Massachusetts turkey season since the opener in the 1980s, I know the unique excitement of a new activity—we all start as rookies until practice and commitment bring about mastery. But for me, the season is found in the quiet, family rituals: cleaning out the camp, replenishing the woodpile, and bringing out the outdoor furniture. Winning a turkey calling contest just doesn't fit the style of this Average Joe.

Since our season ends by noon, this leaves plenty of time for post-turkey fishing. The afternoon ritual has changed over the years, as have the camps. I am just average with a fly rod, but my hunting partners wanted to explore the local rivers and streams. Hunting for pools that held stocked trout was the afternoon goal, while finding undercut banks and wild brook trout was a bonus. The bass ponds required kayaks and canoes, but the warming water and above-average-sized largemouths made for great topwater action. In our younger years, stretching the clock to get in non-stop turkey and trout activities was the norm; now, it has given way to afternoon naps, partially submerged lawn chairs, spincast rods with PowerBait, and a charcoal-grilled platter of freshly caught trout for dinner.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Ernie Foster, IV.