Perhaps I am being too optimistic about the weather, but I feel that we have winter licked.

Of course, about the time this article comes to print we will likely have a nice snow storm or something that will remind me that Mother Nature really does call the shots!

Regardless I can hope and look forward to March 20, the first day of Spring. The arrival of robins and red winged blackbirds is always a harbinger of spring to me. When the American Woodcock show up near the stream bottoms and start their high altitude dizzying spirals back to earth courtship dances, I will be content that I had it right.

I gave my apple trees a haircut as I trimmed the branches and cut up the bigger pieces for a camp fire later in the summer last weekend. The branches were visited by the local deer that very night and I put them in piles for browse and cover for the wildlife.

The deer and turkey in general had a nice hand dealt to them this winter and the wildlife I have seen all look very healthy and plump for this late in the year.

I’m hoping that we don’t get too many buds out early and then a killer frost. I believe that was the fate of our mast crop last year as I saw very little on the grounds of my hunting areas.

Just some reminders to anglers and hunters — any waters that get stocked for trout are closed to all fishing and bait gathering until 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout.

2012 Fishing licenses are now required and they must be displayed while fishing. The trout opener will be April 14 in our area and that, my friend, is only six weeks away!

The PA Game Commission has repealed its regulations about license display. Effective immediately, all hunters and trappers need not display their licenses, but they must still carry the license along with proper ID.

The second Spring Gobbler tags are now on sale and will be available until the spring gobbler season opens on April 28.

You have to be pretty confident about your chances of bagging a bird or you will end up eating two licenses! The youth hunt will be on the preceding Saturday, April 21.

If this sunny and mild weather continues, I believe the boaters will be launching the fishing boats early. The walleye fishing at Pymatuning is open all year long and the crappie fishing should be very hot early this year.

I didn’t get my share of water time last year and that is one of my personal objectives for 2012. If there is one thing that I like to do, it would be to get a hot day of crappie and walleye fishing in the appointment book.

I have a few buddies who live up around Greenville and Jamestown that will keep me posted on the fishing activity. This is also the time to get your fishing gear in tip-top shape with a cleaning of the rods and checking over the guide lines for chips or wearing of the smooth surfaces.

It doesn’t take much for a line to be frayed and snap when handling a lively fish. Match the line to the manufacturers recommended line use.

Heavy rods use heavy line and light rods use lighter line weights. The lower the line weight number, the lighter the line such as 2-4-6-8-10, etc.

Reels also match up to rods and recommended line weights. Remember, too much line or too little line spooled on a reel is a problem as well!

For the gun collectors, shooters and hunters, this is the weekend of the Rocky Grove and Elwood City Gun Shows. You can always find a deal or two at these events and it doesn’t matter if you want to buy or sell or just browse.

Dealers and private individuals have all kinds of collectibles and merchandise to peruse. I always have a few pieces in mind that I wouldn’t mind picking up if the price is right and the opportunity presents itself.

Until we meet again, think spring and put the snow shovels in the shed!

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle