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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Case: For young wildlife, the living isn’t easy in the summertime

AP photo by Charles Krupa  / An adult wild turkey stands watch over a rafter of juveniles as they eat on July 17 in East Derry, N.H. Although wild turkeys are hardy birds in adulthood, they are quite vulnerable before then, writes "Guns & Cornbread" columnist Larry Case.
AP photo by Charles Krupa / An adult wild turkey stands watch over a rafter of juveniles as they eat on July 17 in East Derry, N.H. Although wild turkeys are hardy birds in adulthood, they are quite vulnerable before then, writes "Guns & Cornbread" columnist Larry Case. AP photo by Charles Krupa / An adult wild turkey stands watch over a rafter of juveniles as they eat on July 17 in East Derry, N.H. Although wild turkeys are hardy birds in adulthood, they are quite vulnerable before then, writes "Guns & Cornbread" columnist Larry Case.

While it may not be considered the “dog days” of summer yet, depending on where you are, there is no doubt what season it is. And even though we are well past spring, there are lots of young wildlife out there trying to survive and make it to adulthood and continue their species.

Most of the time, this is not a tranquil life. Predators figure heavily into this game, as well as weather, food availability and other factors. Mother Nature sees to it that young wildlife don’t have an easy row to hoe.

I think I have told you many times before it can’t be all sunshine and roses. The hunting and fishing world is tied directly to the natural world — and Mother Nature, if you want to use that term, is not always so kind. There are predators in this world we are talking about, and all of them are constantly involved in hunting and killing other animals so they can survive.

It’s not good and it’s not bad, it’s just the way it is.

(READ MORE: Keeping it quiet when we should be keeping it real)