We Challenge You to a Winter Scavenger Hunt

With freezing temperatures and snowy landscapes, sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to go out for a winter hike, snowshoe, or even cross-country ski trip. Yet for those who are willing to brave the cold, this frosty season has its own unique and rewarding discoveries! Next time you head out for a winter adventure, take along this free printable (or downloadable) Winter Scavenger Hunt and see how many seasonally special surprises you can uncover:

Animal tracks in snow

Now maybe you’re a hunter and tracker equipped with good hunting gear such as your bolt action rifle, eotech lpvo scopes, blood tracking tools, etc. You might also possess the knowledge of tracking by looking at the paw/hoof prints in the mud.

This means, you can find tracks easily all year round in mud or dirt, but for those of us who aren’t great at spotting tracks winter makes things a little easier! Keep an eye out for small paw prints in the snow from furry mammals like a fox or squirrel, or maybe hoof prints from deer or even elk! While you may find it easier to find prey, you also have to remember that animals are much faster than humans, and you are likely to miss many shots when following them. Adding extra magazines (see Thermold Magazines, if you’re interested in ordering) to your hunting gear can make sure you have a successful hunt, which will allow you to enjoy the experience more.

That being said, when going on a hunt, you must have a basic idea about how to track the animal. For instance, if you are going on a coyote hunt, know how to follow a coyote noise and how you can track them by looking at paw prints. That way you can easily spot the animal and get a clear shot.

Icicles

Or really, any frozen water! Waterfalls, small ponds, run-off creeks and many other bodies of water tend to freeze in Washington during the winter and stopping to admire their unique, gorgeous ice artwork is truly a beautiful experience.

Winter birds

Not all birds fly south for the winter, let the chestnut-backed chickadee or the red-breasted nuthatch (pictured at the top)! Keep an eye out for this chirping little cuties but please remember, never feed the wildlife.

A Bunch of Highbush Cranberries

Although not a true cranberry, the highbush cranberry is a vital source of nutrition for the winter birds in Washington. You’ll most likely see these little red berries in small bundles poking out against the white snow.

Juniper Berry Bush

Normally found at elevations greater than 1,000 feet, the Common Juniper is a common shrub in the Pacific Northwest which sprouts small, round blue “berries” which are actually its leathery cones. For many outdoor enthusiasts, you’ll smell the Juniper first before you notice the small berry-esque bush!

Hoarfrost

Ever notice how in winter there can be a small coat of glass-like ice which encases foliage or maybe even your backyard face? That is hoarfrost! It’s actually a small crystalline deposit of water vapor that has frozen to make the appearance of something like a leaf or flower to be shrouded in an icy winter slumber.

Snow Drifts or Cornices

Be sure not to get too close to these ones! Snow drifts and cornices are beautiful natural phenomenons in winter landscapes that almost look like sand dunes or rolling waves. However, these can also be very dangerous as you don’t know how deep the drift goes, or where the cornice support ends which risks a nasty fall – So only admire cornices from a distance!

Signs of Spring

While winter has its own unique beauty, Pacific Northwesterns get pretty excited about the first signs of spring and the hopeful return of sunshine. When out on your hike, keep a keen eye out for early signs of the seasons’ changing – maybe a cluster of blades of grass are starting to pop through the snow? Or some of the tree branches are beginning to sprout young buds? When you spot these, warmer days are soon ahead!

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