MARTINO: Go outside to combat the winter blues

January 05, 2008 05:48 pm

— Do plunging temperatures and the year’s shortest days force you to huddle indoors? When you flick on the television do you cringe at the weatherman as they describe the monster snow storm headed your way? When boredom and restlessness begin to set in and conversations with family start edging on dangerous arenas, it might be time to combat the problem.
We shouldn’t blame winter for our depressing mood. It’s usually lack of vision and motivation that creates the bulk of the problems, not freezing temperatures, early sunsets and cloudy skies. Sure, there are some people that do become seriously afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during our coldest season. But for most, inexpensive natural remedies do exist and are easily accessible to everyone.
One of the best ways to feel good during winter is to face what’s causing the problem and that’s to get outside. Yes the temperatures may be cold but with proper clothing you can enjoy the out of doors and still remain comfortable. It has been scientifically proven that spending as little as 20 minutes outside everyday will help stave off seasonal depression
One of the easiest activities is to take a walk. Moderate exercise is one of the best ways to fight wintertime blues. Even when the skies are a dismal gray, there is still enough light to fight that depressing attitude.
Another pleasurable and simple winter activity is to do nothing more than invite a few friends over and sit outside around a crackling bonfire. The sweet aroma of burning wood and the mesmerizing affect of dancing flames can bring the coldest of days at bay. Cooking food over an open fire, not to mention “smores” for the kids is one of life’s simplest pleasures that can create the warmest of memories.
Fishing is another great winter activity that can make even the bleakest days enjoyable. Don’t think wintertime means only ice fishing either. The tailwaters located below any of central Indiana’s lakes and reservoirs remain ice free and can provide great fishing opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass and catfish.
Disc golf is another outdoor activity that is rapidly gaining in popularity and can be enjoyed throughout the year. Disc golf courses are available in Howard and almost all neighboring counties. Highland Park in Kokomo sports a nine-hole disc golf course that is free and available year round.
If you were fortunate in receiving a new firearm for Christmas, winter is one of the best times to hone your shooting skills. The Howard County Izaak Walton League located at 2629 S. County Road 200 East offers shooting ranges of all types. In addition to their rifle range, guests also have the opportunity to take advantage of the club’s skeet, trap and sporting clays. These ranges are open to the public.
The skeet range is open every Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again 6 to 9 p.m., and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m.
The trap range is available each Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 5:30 to 11 p.m.
You can walk the sporting clays range every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. till dark, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Whether it’s with family, friends or alone, the key to beating back wintertime boredom is to stay active. Sleeping and lying on the couch isn’t the solution to getting through our coldest season. Get up and get going the best you can. After all, regret is only something you feel when precious time has been wasted!
In reality, the “dead” of winter may actually be “alive” with outdoor activities - all you have to do is find them.
Hunting results
Here is this week’s list of late-season hunters who have collected deer and taken them to one of our area’s state approved check-in stations, as required by law. This information is provided through the help of Bryant’s Outdoor Store; Burlington Meats; Full-Draw Archery; Jack’s Tackle Center and Simpson’s Deer Processing.
This list includes field dressed weights along with county of harvest.
Cass County: Randall Roark, 112-pound doe; Robert Miles, 90-pound doe; James Miles, 100-pound doe; Tim Davis, 150-pound, eight-point buck; Ken Gillem, 90-pound doe.
Clinton County: Jerry Lidy, 170-pound, nine-point buck.
Fulton County: Jason Sedberry, 100-pound doe; H. Collins, 155-pound, nine-point buck.
Howard County: Dan Harvey, 145-pound, 10-point buck; Tony Nutter, 100-pound doe; Travis Rose, 130-pound doe; Donna Armfield, 115-pound doe; Hershel Conyers, 80-pound doe; Lawrence Dulworth, 130-pound doe; Craig Hulsey, 110-pound doe; Jacob Roberson, 135-pound, eight-point buck; Jack Sutton, 160-pound, eight-point buck; Robert Kanable, 115-pound doe; Ryan Parsons, 100-pound doe.
Kosciusko County: Robert Earl, 145-pound doe.
Miami County: John DeGrow, 75-pound button-buck; Leroy Pannier, 100-pound doe; David Hunt, 100-pound doe; Gerald Love, 120-pound, three-point buck; Charles Love, 110-pound doe; Justin Moore, 125-pound doe.
Pulaski County: Zack Rutherford, 110-pound doe.
Tipton County: William Burnette, 190-pound, nine-point buck; Bruce Jacobs, 90-pound doe.
Wabash County: Gary Miller, 115-pound doe.
John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached through the sports department.

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