Why Do Anglers Hunt During the Fall and Not Fish? by Calvin Herndon
I have asked myself the question of why anglers go hunting instead of fishing during the fall months of the year. There are a lot of different reasons why this is, and it is not at all what I thought it was. I want to dive into a couple of unique reasons that you may not have realized or considered, so let’s get started.
The first reason I want to talk about is that fishing is slowing down in many areas. All of the anglers know that when it comes to the fall that weather and water temperature changes often affect the behavior of the fish. It is known that fish become less active or move to deeper water during the fall. Some species of fish that you are trying to catch aren’t as abundant or easy to catch in the fall. Also, in the fall weather can cause boating or shoreline fishing to be less enjoyable. However, in some regions of the country fall can be a great time to catch species like salmon and trout.
The second reason I want to bring to everyone’s attention is the traditions and culture behind hunting in the fall. For many, hunting in the fall is a long-standing tradition passed down through generations. Many hunters take annual trips to deer camps or are a part of a club. Hunters also want to use this opportunity as a bonding experience with family and friends. There can also be cultural events tied to harvest time. When I was a young boy I remember sitting in the woods and building memories, waiting to harvest an animal. Lastly I want to bring up some practical reasons that many anglers hunt during the fall.
Lastly, we come to limited opportunities. What do I mean by this? Many game species can only be legally hunted during a short window in the fall. Unlike hunting, fishing can be done year-round with no off-limits or wait periods. For example, if you want to harvest a whitetail deer in the state of Virginia, you only have the months of October through November. So in my opinion, I would say it is okay for anglers to take two months off to chase an animal of their dreams.