Autumn is just around the corner and I’m starting to panic. I love fall in the Copper Country but it’s a rush to keep up. I’m trying to get out and fish, hunt, or forage, while at the same time trying to put up produce from the garden, protect all those green tomatoes from frost, and have the yard ready before the snow flies. I’m sure I am not the only one that is in this situation or feels this way.

September marks the start of several hunting seasons. Currently under way in the areas is goose and black bear season. On the 15th, rabbit, ruffed grouse, and squirrel season open followed shortly afterwards by woodcock season on the 20th. I don’t start really getting excited for hunting small game until the leaves start to drop, which makes the game easier to see.

The last Saturday of this month marks the start of duck season. That’s one I have to start getting ready for by pulling out and organizing decoys, camo, and ammo. Archery season doesn’t start till the beginning of October but I’m sure many hunters have already scouted out a blind and dusted off their bows for practice.

The fall is also a nice time for foraging and just exploring the woods. The mosquitos aren’t typically bad, so people generally have a bit more patience to take their time, relax and enjoy it in the outdoors. In a week or two, we can probably expect the leaves to start rapidly changing to their peak colors.

With the ample precipitation we have been receiving the fall mushroom crops have been fruiting rather well. Even if you aren’t into looking for edible ones, they are still quite neat to look at and there are probably hundreds of varieties that pop up during this season.

Several berries are still available for the picking. I have been seeing blueberries, thimbleberries, and blackberries here and there. Choke cherries also still seem abundant. A little later after a frost or two, some other less sought-after varieties will be ready including mountain ash, highbush and lowbush cranberries, and rose hips.

With the end of September comes the end to a lot of trout streams’ fishing seasons. Many area inland designated trout streams and lakes close on the last day of the month. There is still time to hit up some of your favorite brookie/specky streams if your heart desires. Many other tributary streams do remain open throughout the year. One reason for this is during the fall and spring some species of fish migrate up these tributaries to spawn or follow others up the feed on spawn. Autumn is when our tributaries start to see salmon runs with the occasional trout coming up for an easy meal behind them.

The list of activities people enjoy during autumn most likely goes way beyond anything I’ve mentioned here. No matter what you enjoy doing, have fun and be safe.