Watch Where You Step

By Freddie McKnight

Better weather is finally here and with it comes the urge to get back outside after being cooped up for the winter.

Sometimes we act like a black bear coming out of hibernation during this time period, that being we are not exactly in tune with our surroundings. It can take a bit of time to get back in rhythm with nature, a time that can be dangerous to both you and the wild creatures around you.

When I talk about watching where you step, it could mean the difference between life and death, literally. At this time of the year most all wild creatures have young to care for, a multitude of them being ground dwellers of sorts.

Even when pressed, many will simply hold tight to the cover they are trying to become to avoid danger. It is their natural instinct to sit tight. Unfortunately it can also lead to their doom.

During the past several spring gobbler seasons, I have nearly tramped on both turkey hens on nests and with young. Both cases can be bad for the birds due to the sudden stress of invasion. Chances are if you run into such a situation, you need to vacate the area immediately and allow the bird or birds to settle back into their routine.

In most cases the hen will return to the nest, while any hen with a brood in tow will gather up her small flock in short order when undisturbed.

The same can be said for any type of ground dwelling bird, it need not be a game bird. Many species of songbirds nest on the ground, and they are well blended in with their surroundings. With the foliage getting higher and thicker it can be tough to see such creatures even on lesser used roadways and trails.

Taking the time to look where you are stepping can avoid a bad situation. I know I have an experience every year in my own yard with a pair of killdeer that like to nest in the ornamental stones placed around some shrubbery. Sometimes it takes a bit of looking to find them, but once I know they are there, the area goes untouched until the nesting is complete.

One such surprise that many get when out along creeks is their encounter with turtles. Not being the fastest moving creatures on the face of the earth, their defense to being harassed is to either tuck away in their shell or lash out with strong jaws.

If stepped upon, I know as a personal fact that a snapping turtle will take hold of you. Such incidents have resulted in lost fingers and toes, not to mention the pain of just the bite to begin with.

Another unwelcome encounter for many is to step into the midst of a bee’s nest of sorts. Many times these nests are hidden in the ground or hang from within the maze of branches on a tree. Once disturbed, these little insects can wreak havoc on an individual or a group. If you happen to be allergic, as I am, it can be a life threatening experience and one to be avoided if at all possible.

Snakes are another such creature that most would rather not encounter, especially those that are poisonous. With their outer hide being marked for camouflage, it is often tough to pick the snakes out against the backdrop of leaves and sticks.

Fortunately the bite of poisonous snakes only transmit venom about one-third of the time. Still it makes you awful sick if you are one of the unlucky ones to receive the bite.

Though hard to see, ticks and spiders are insects to be avoided for obvious reasons. Lyme disease seems to still be a hot topic across much of the OVO region. Sometimes the disease is hard to diagnose and long term damage can be done before corrective actions can be taken.

Spider bites can be among the most lethal of all insects, especially the little Brown Recluse. If you should happen to get nabbed by this little fellow, you may end up losing some or your skin, literally.

Plants are not thought of too much when walking in the woods, unless you happen to blunder into a briar patch or poison ivy. Both can put a hurting on you in their own way. Of course the briars will imbed into your body and can result in infection later on, while the poison ivy causes an itchy rash that makes itself quite a nuisance.

Frequent scratching of this rash can lead to more harmful effects, and if you should happen to get this poison in your eyes, well it is a quite painful experience.

Probably the most horrifying of encounters come from mammals protecting their young. Should you happen upon a baby bear or deer during an outing, back out of the region quickly and carefully. Getting between either animal and their young can be a life threatening experience.

Don’t think that smaller creatures won’t protect their young either, as encounters with coyotes, raccoons, and groundhogs protecting their little ones have sent people to the hospital for treatment.

I know it is not entirely possible to watch every step you take outside. The purpose of this article is to try and make you more aware of your surroundings and the potential for such an incident.

It does not mean we should not take ventures into the outdoors, it is just going to say that maybe we need to slow down a bit and look at our surroundings.