Summer storms can blow up in a hurry and they often contain thunder and lightning. Thunder is noisy but no problem. Lightning can be dangerous and annually kills more people than tornadoes and hurricanes combined. Carrying more than 100 million volts, a lightning bolt is worth avoiding. Outdoors people should be very cautious of lightning storms. The basic rule is don't be or be near the tallest object in the area. Avoid hilltops and open meadows and never take cover under a lone tree. Also avoid utility poles, towers, windmills, pipelines, fences, rails and metal gates. Don't hold long or metallic objects such as golf clubs, guns or even fishing rods. On land seek shelter in a low area or in low brush. Cars, except convertibles, offer very good lightning protection. Boats are another matter. Avoid boating when storms are imminent and run to shore if caught in open water. Boaters should also beware of high winds that may accompany the storm.

Late season gobblers are much like late-season trophy bucks - wise and wary. They've heard it all and they are both tired of and leery of "power calling." Cutting, cackling and of course the fighting purr have their place but with and ultra-careful late-season tom, you may need to throttle back on the aggressive calling. Stealthy woodsmanship is very much an asset. Low "confidence" calls, particularly low clucks, and not many of them, are the best bet. This is "call a little; wait a lot" hunting. Other natural sounds also help. Scratch in the leaves to mimic the sound of feeding hens and occasionally slap your cap on my leg to imitate flapping wings. However, you must be careful with that last tactic. Because it involves movement you should be in a good blind or be absolutely certain that the gobbler is not close enough to see you. Late season gobbler hunting can be very rewarding, with woodcraft and patience being the keys to success.

A wide variety of noises are used to make gobblers sound off in the morning. Gobblers will "shock gobble" at loud sounds that have nothing to do with turkey talk. The turkey hunter can use these "locator calls" to pinpoint the gobbler's location without giving away his own. The "Who cooks for you; Who cooks for you-all" eight-note call of the barred owl is a favorite locator call. However, raucous crow calling or the piercing scream of a hawk call are also used. Coyote howlers work, for while no turkey in its right mind will go to a coyote, gobblers will answer the high-pitched howl. In forest areas, the staccato call of the pileated woodpecker is gaining favor as a locator, particularly in the mid-morning. Of course if any of these sounds occur naturally, always stop and listen. Turkey calls, such as the assembly/lost call, cutting and cackling, will stir up a gobbler. However, be close to cover or already set up when you use them.

In areas where it is legal, afternoon turkey hunting can be very productive. However, these tactics also work well in mid-morning after the peak of gobbling activity. In the early morning, it is "run and gun" with the emphasis on hearing a gobbler. You try to pinpoint his location, get to him fast, set up and start calling. Mid-morning and afternoon hunting are more laid-back. Being still and patient are the critical tactics. Concentrate on areas of known turkey activity. Set up a blind and set out decoys. Call and wait. If a gobbler happens to be nearby, you don't want to blast his ears with loud calls. Start with low and conservative calling, basic clucks, yelps and low purrs. After a decent interval, step up both volume and aggression with cutting, cackling and fighting pur These last calls reach out some distance. Many hunters err by giving out their last, loud calls and giving up before a gobbler has time to come from far away.

When a fish dies its body loses the ability to regulate its body's water absorption. This process actually begins even when the fish is under heavy stress just before death. This is why fish left in water (as in a live well with poor water circulation) too long become soft fleshed and mushy. Eating them won't hurt you but they sure don't taste as good. When fishing for fish that you are going to eat, keep them in a fish basket, a live well with good water circulation or put them on ice immediately. Since the ice will melt, put the fish into a waterproof plastic bag with the ice in the cooler. Fresh fish taste best - period. However, freezing the fish inside a block of ice helps preserve their flavor. Skin and bones impart much flavor. If you like the fish flavor, scale the fish and leave the bones in. For milder flavor, skin and filet off the bone.