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Outdoors; Bright Moon of July Summons for a Night Outdoors

Posted on: Thursday, 8 July 2004, 06:00 CDT

The Thunder Moon or the Heat Moon, as Native Americans called it, is upon us.

We are so informed by Merrill C. Gilfillan in his book, Moods of the Ohio Moons . Gilfillan, a student of Native American history, also is remembered as a writer and editor for the Division of Wildlife. He edited the Ohio Conservation Bulletin and the Wonderful World of Ohio .

The Mount Gilead resident is known for other things, too. He was a wildlife biologist, an authority on deer management, a naturalist, hunter and fisherman. Moreover, his writings led to the creation of the Buckeye Trail, Ohio Big Bucks Club and Ohio Husky Muskie Club.

Wrote Gilfillan in Moods : "The Indians went right to the heart of feeling; their subjective names (Thunder Moon, Heat Moon) have permanent significance."

The writer went on to point out that the Indian names for moons are far more descriptive than words we currently use, and anyone would have to admit the word "July" conveys a dull image.

"During the Thunder Moon, the great summer storms build up and roll across the land," Gilfillan said.

I wish Gilfillan were still alive and writing about Native American history, folklore and the beauties of the outdoor world. He was a fantastic individual.

Gilfillan's story proposing a hiking trail from one end of Ohio to the other drew the attention of hikers and backpackers. Early supporters of such an ambitious plan formed the Buckeye Trail Association and the Buckeye Trail is now a reality.

Gilfillan's Moods of the Ohio Moons might be hard to find at a bookstore, but it probably is at most libraries. Every now and then I get out my copy and reread portions of it, as I have for July.

After all, July 2004 is giving us not one but two full moons. The first was on July 2 and the next will arrive late in July.

Will two Thunder Moons portend more lightning, cracks of thunder and greater storms to roll across the land? Probably not! Yet the two full moons this month definitely add up to more quality time for nocturnal adventures in the outdoors.

What a time for camping. Imagine sitting around a campfire with family and friends under a full moon. The problems of the world are easily solved at such a place. Then you glance to the night sky and share the glory of just being a part of the universe.

Chances are the sounds of night during the Thunder Moon will include crickets and hundreds of other insects, and maybe a big old bullfrog down by the creek.

Many of us who go fishing regard the full moon, or a nearly full moon, as an invitation to probe a lake at night. One of my most memorable outings was bass fishing on a small lake under such a moon. We would cast our surface plugs to the water, hear them splash some distance off and listen to the gurgle of the Jitterbugs being reeled back to the boat.

A thunderous splash was heard! You set the hook!

Sometimes that splash was a fish just jumping, or striking some natural bait; sometimes it was a bass splashing for your lure.

Although the second full moon of July will not come until the final day of this month, the moon will be significantly large on July 26.

And then the Thunder Moon will grow bigger, bigger and bigger before attaining its greatest brilliance the night of July 31.

Contact Jim Robey at Sports Dept., Dayton Daily News, 45 S. Ludlow St., Dayton, Ohio 45402.

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