All this Wednesday morning rain has me thinking about last weekend. Come to think of it, I think I just dried out sometime late yesterday afternoon.

Note to self: Hunting wild turkeys in a driving rain isn't worth it.

Note to self #2: Pay closer attention to weather reports.

When a local hunting trip on the last day of turkey season produces more time in coffee shops than in a blind, there's a problem. But, when this hunting bug bites, like the fishing bug, there's little in the way of reason that can intervene.

Sadly, even through I spent last Saturday morning driving 40 minutes to the house while soaked through -- literally -- halfway up my thigh, I still had a fantastic time. Sure, we all like to be in afield in perfect conditions, listening to the sounds and paying attention to what we see around us.

Sometimes, though, it's nice to be out in harsher conditions.

Not only is there a sense of pride -- dragging yourself out of bed hours before the rest of the world and putting yourself under deep cover when it's miserable -- but there's also a lot to learn, too. The woods change in the rain. Sounds are harder to hear, visibility is complicated by sudden movements of leaves in every direction.

Of course, wildlife can be a lot less active, too -- so you've got to take the experience for what it is. In some cases, that means a really good plate of eggs and sausage.

Read more in today's Kennebec Journal.