Day trips and outings

[Moe M.]

  We've discussed here and in the 'Other Gear' section in this forum what we carry in our day packs,  I thought it might be interesting to note what we do while we're out for the day.
  Given that we all just enjoy being in the woods,  and we all try to practice our skills,  fhis may end up being a relatively short thread,  but you never know.

  Like most I guess,  just being there is usually enough,  but I usually have my day planned around a specific interest,  either to test a new piece of gear or knife,  sometimes it's just to make a small fire and cook something,  I love campfires, cooking,  and the smell of the smoke relaxes me.
  Many times I'll put up the tarp,  lay down my ground cloth,  and make a small fire,  in other words build a quicky camp and enjoy it for several hours.
  If my legs are up to it (PAD) I'll roam around and explore a little,  or find a pond or stream and do a little fishing,  if not,  I may just do a little whittling and reflect on the beauty and quiet of my surroundings.

[Gurthy]

I usually have my day planned around a specific interest,

That sounds like most of my outings.

My day trips generally follow a hunter/gatherer seasonal pattern. In the early spring I do a lot of wandering looking for/at animal tracks and scouting new areas. In mid-spring I start to look for early wild edibles and then morels. In late spring and early summer I do plant ID, hunt strawberries, gather bark and start fishing. I do plat ID and fish throughout the summer. In late summer I return to gathering wild edibles. In the fall I will be looking for late wild edibles, gathering materials for cordage, and gathering tubers. I take much of the late fall (all of November at least) off to avoid getting shot... the woods are just too dangerous then and I resort to watching football and doing projects in the garage. In winter I usually like to build mini-camps and have small fires, maybe toss the tomahawk and just relax like Moe mentioned. I have far fewer fires in the warmer months and more things on the "agenda".... I try to cover lots in the warmer months and relax in the cooler months.
 

[Moe M.]

I usually have my day planned around a specific interest,

That sounds like most of my outings.

My day trips generally follow a hunter/gatherer seasonal pattern. In the early spring I do a lot of wandering looking for/at animal tracks and scouting new areas. In mid-spring I start to look for early wild edibles and then morels. In late spring and early summer I do plant ID, hunt strawberries, gather bark and start fishing. I do plat ID and fish throughout the summer. In late summer I return to gathering wild edibles. In the fall I will be looking for late wild edibles, gathering materials for cordage, and gathering tubers. I take much of the late fall (all of November at least) off to avoid getting shot... the woods are just too dangerous then and I resort to watching football and doing projects in the garage. In winter I usually like to build mini-camps and have small fires, maybe toss the tomahawk and just relax like Moe mentioned. I have far fewer fires in the warmer months and more things on the "agenda".... I try to cover lots in the warmer months and relax in the cooler months.

  Good post,   with advance age comes a greater sensitivity to high heat, humidity and extreme cold,  so I generally stay in the air conditioning house,  spring, fall, and early winter are my outdoor times.

[kanukkarhu]

 Nothing exciting here, these days... What with being  new to my area, my outings tend to be "hail Mary's" where I just toss my gear in the truck and go. Worst case scenario is that I end up frustrated; best case is I'm exploring. I try to relax, either way.

Come fall, it's often about hunting/scouting.

Winter is a snug fire, snowshoeing etc. I love winters. Always have, always will.

Spring, around here, is great for a walk, and I walk lots in the spring.

Summer is actually my down time due to thick undergrowth, ticks and skitters. I stick to campsites pretty much.

Any and all outings include good food, relaxing, contemplating my navel... Hence the "woods loafer" thing in my avatar...

KK

[upthecreek]

I just like to be outside and do what I can when I can. I have a fairly busy life usually, but am pretty lucky to be able to sneak in the woods quite often. I usually don't have an agenda. Sometimes I do. I like to walk at a slow pace and accustom myself to the sights, sounds and smells. I am usually in pretty much the same places and I like to look for the subtle differences since my last visit. I have a deer super highway near the house and I like walking down there and looking at the tracks and trying to figure out what they're doing. I went canoeing this morning for no other reason than to ride in my little boat. It was fun and the weather was beautiful. That's about all I got. I have a laid back approach to my hobby and it seems a pretty enjoyable pass time.

Creek

[C3 Knives]

Spring and fall are my favorite times.  Summer get's a little hot and is time to go to the high country.  With all the wild fires we have had this year there has been a fire ban accross the entire state for most of this summer. It's still going. We can use small canister stoves without a problem. Most of the outings this year have been sight seeing, and there have been too few of them. Life get's in the way sometimes. Time to head to the salt mine. 

[OutdoorEnvy]

Yeah I'm like you guys, I just getting out mostly.  Usually I will plan to make a fire and eat a decent meal.  Sometimes I'll have a skill I want to practice like friction fire or natural shelter, etc.  But mostly just sitting around the fire taking in a beautiful view while eating and drinking something good.  Other times my outings are hunting or scouting based so that has it's own purpose with it. 

[Old Philosopher]

Good thread topic.
My day hikes are mainly just to get out into the woods. My focus is on the wildlife, from big critters down to sitting and watching an anthill for a half hour, or more. I'm always looking for animal sign, tracks, forage, beds. I try to listen to every outdoor sound, and try to identify what's making it. I'm photography oriented, so I end up taking pictures of some of the dumbest things.  I'd rather lean up against a tree and watch the beavers work on their dam, than carve something.
When I go out for more than a day, I tend to stay in one place. I range out from my base camp to do the things I mentioned. If I'm going to spend a couple nights, or more there, I always like to make at least one useful item for camp, whether it's a table, chair, cook rack or something less ambitious. I spend most of my days doing homesteading stuff, repairing and improvising, and fulfilling obligations. When I get out in the woods, I try to soak in all the serenity, and not do a darn thing that resembles "work".     I had a great conversation with an ancient White Pine a few months ago. 

[SwampHanger]

Lots of time I'm just wandering around. I take my camera or a .22 depending on the season. Dont always make a camp but just throw up a hammock and eat lunch. Like y'all said just listening and watching its amazing the things you can experience. Don't always go to the same place but ones I've spent time around.