The snow fell early and stayed this hunting season to the joy of the hunter and to the dismay of the traveler.

I also found mixed blessings as I watched the tracking snow pile up in the woods. That's what many of the old-timers call this kind of snowfall during deer season: a tracking snow.

You can get on a deer track and follow it for a long way with hopes of catching up with the beast.

Many hunters have given up on stalking deer and drives with groups for solitary hunts from a tree stand. At times, it's the most effective method, but it also can also be the most boring.

This season, I harvested a decent 9-pointer from a tree stand and, admittedly, I probably wouldn't have gotten that big boy from the ground

But I was getting antsy sitting there waiting for something to come my way. I prefer the slow, methodical stalking method, which uses cover, deer sign and carefully placed steps from one stop to the next.

I generally choose a game trail and ease along from one tree to another before I stop and listen while carefully scanning around me.

Yes, I have been successful, and, as my friends tell me, it's because the game thinks I am some kind of shrub!

Those guys can laugh, but I have had game walk right over me while in my frozen statue state.

This year, I must admit that seeing the 4-pointers, especially the brow tines, has been a challenge for me.

On the first day, a buck came fairly close to me and I couldn't distinguish how many points that buck had on his rack. By the time I was done counting and scoping him out, he decided that he had had enough of this nonsense and ambled away.

Many hunters have told me the same types of stories and it can leave a fellow quite frustrated by trying to follow the rules. My mentor in hunting used to tell me that laws and rules are only for the honest folks — scofflaws couldn't care less about rules.

The holiday season is upon us and I'll offer some gift ideas for people who love the outdoors.The key to finding a successful gift for someone is to know them and what they like to do. Last year, I was looking for a gift for a youngster in our family that attends college.College kids are notorious for being broke and this kid loved to go hunting for waterfowl, so he was pretty pleased to get an assortment of steel shot for hunting ducks and geese.There is always a nice item that can fall into your price range that will take care of your outdoors folk. Good quality items can be found in all price ranges if you are a savvy shopper.I received a pair of expensive hunting boot socks last year and I love them. They cost about $20 and have become a favorite item on my cold weather hunts.A popular item among many hunters is hunting knife. I have a Buck folding knife that has been on many a hunt and has been durable beyond its $40 price.Gloves and mitts are necessary for cold weather hunting, and you can never pass on good quality in these areas.Many outdoors people have been using trail cams to check out the wildlife near their hunting spots and property. The price of a decent digital camera with memory cards can be found for $75 to S125.Don't forget anglers this holiday season. They always need new tackle, lures, rods and reels. Check out what they use the most and you can get them some back-up supplies.New fishing line on all your reels is a thoughtful gift, and many anglers will appreciate a new fishing license, which can be obtained with a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commisson PFBC gift card.