My trip to Salt Point last weekend produced plenty of mushrooms, but they were past their prime. It is nearly time to say goodbye to one of the best mid-winter mushroom seasons in memory. I estimate my take at somewhere around 50 pounds in total for the season. Most of that was given to the many friends, new and old, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding through the mysterious and beautiful coastal forest.

Coming up next month will be planning for deer season and polishing your turkey calls. There are more and more gobblers every year. Many of them are terrorizing the urban areas, unfortunately you cannot “hunt” the streets for packs of strutting Toms.

There is plenty of BLM land and public forests nearby to keep you busy hunting turkey this spring. You might also scout some likely buck hunting areas while you are in the woods. March and April are deer-hunt planning times. Nail down your hunting buddies and decide on the spot you will put in for the annual drawing.

I am thinking the Lassen area for myself this year, or the Trinity Alps at the north end of the B Zone are good bets. I always keep the second tag for the local A Zone. The A Zone is not a premium zone and therefore is issued on request. Properly dressed and cooked, the local black tails are a tasty addition to your freezer. Add in three abalone, do some wild boar on the barbie with a nice wild mushroom sauce and we are ready to rumble.

The rivers are running fairly clear now which will open up the bay and delta to striped bass and diamond back sturgeon fishing. I will keep on top of that and report to you on the bite.

Speaking of bite, I found a tick on my back last week, in the rain no less. Usually they are allergic to me - after a couple of days they swell up and fall off. This critter was hanging on with hook and claw. Wear a hat with a brim, have your outermost shirt hanging and always check yourself ASAP after your hunt or foray.

Bill Hanson is a Sonoma County native and a lifelong sportsman. He is past president of the Sonoma County Mycological Association.