I agree to a point......I tapped earlier than normal this year and I am better than half way to my season goal. If I waited until my 'normal' time I would be at zero. We are in a week freeze up at this point in S.NH and I would not be tapping until later than my standard time if I had waited. It is nice to have 12 gallons canned and in the fridge. If the season ended tomorrow I would be ok. I think chasing warm spells in January is too early and is too stressful for me unless you have a reason to tap ie. grandkids coming I cant see any reason I would tap in January. I like the thinking of Peter Greg in one of the Maple news articles he now shoots for groundhogs day to be tapped. That's about where I am at now which is early but its my new target. The best thing about a hobby operation is its generally feasible to tap in a day or twos time so you can be selective. I certainly wont chase a two day run in February but anything over that I would go for it. I like to be done by mid march anyway if I can as my work picks up.