Once the Freeborn county Fair is behind us and to me it usually means that summer is winding down and fall just around the corner. This year’s fair was held a week later than we have been used to in recent years. This is more like the days of my youth when it seemed that the fair would just end and school would begin. Looking back to my years as a kid who longed for the fair to come I can remember the sort of empty feeling I would get once the midway packed up and the barns were emptied out.

Maybe it was the thought that had been in the back of my mind but now was becoming a stark reality — “school.” Even the thought of school was an emotional roller coaster, I hated to see summer end but there was always the anticipation of things to come. It did mean that we’d go to town and buy the necessities for school such as pencils, paper (Big Chief) and folders. The best part was always the new clothes. Now we didn’t have all that much money so buying new clothes for school was always an exciting time to me. I can remember my mother taking me to JC Penney’s or Montgomery Wards for shoes, pants and shirts and I guess I’d even get excited about the new underwear and socks. This was pretty much a once-a-year deal so you better like what mom bought. Looking back I don’t think I had all that much say in the clothes I got to be adorned with for the upcoming months. Growing up in the country I didn’t worry about making a fashion statement — all I knew was that I had new clothes.

Today they have the “No child left behind” thing going on but back then it was the “don’t get caught with dirty underwear” saying that went something like this: “what if you had an accident, you wouldn’t want to be wearing dirty underwear would you?” If that wasn’t incentive enough to don clean underwear then what was? I tried to avoid any and all accidents but just in case there were some days when I might have cheated and on those occasions I’d have to be extra careful.

When fall came around my thoughts would turn to football, which was my first love, and hunting but not so much fishing. Although my hunting prowess didn’t really qualify me as any kind of threat to critters it was something I still enjoyed doing from time to time. Eventually fall fishing pretty much replaced the urge to shoot a gun at an empty space.

I do think that both sports fill a desire to spend time outdoors on a fall day. Whether it be sitting in a tree stand on a crisp autumn morning waiting for that “Monster Buck” to appear or drifting lazily on a pristine lake with the fall colors surrounding you it’s all good. It’s all about using the resources that we have available in this great state we call home.

If you plan on deer hunting this fall now is a good time to make sure you know when to apply for whatever license you need for fall hunting.

Minnesota hunters who hope to harvest an antlerless deer this fall will want to review 2009 regulations prior to Sept. 10, the deadline to apply for an either-sex permit. That’s because over-the-counter, either-sex permits will be valid in significantly fewer areas this hunting season, especially in portions of northern and southwestern Minnesota. Therefore, hunters who typically did not need to apply for an either-sex permit will need to do so for this hunting season.

Nearly half of Minnesota’s 127 deer permit areas are designated as “lottery” this year, according to Lou Cornicelli, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) big game program coordinator. “We encourage all deer hunters; no matter if they hunt with a firearm or muzzleloader, to determine the status of their hunting area now so that it doesn’t come as a surprise to them after the Sept. 10 permit application deadline.”

Archery hunters may harvest an antlerless deer in lottery areas without applying for an either-sex permit.

The DNR has reduced the number of deer permit areas where over-the-counter either-sex permits are valid. In some parts of Minnesota, the deer population is now within management goals as a result of several years of abundant harvest coupled with a moderate to severe winter in northern Minnesota. In other areas, where the deer population is below population goals, the restriction is an effort to increase deer numbers.

Hunters who are selected to receive an either-sex permit in a lottery area can harvest a buck or antlerless deer. Those who are not selected can harvest a buck only.

Dennis Simon, DNR wildlife section chief, said hunters younger than 18 who want to harvest an antlerless deer in a significant portion of southwestern Minnesota must apply for an either-sex permit by Thursday, Sept. 10. Only youth hunters selected by lottery will be allowed to harvest an antlerless deer in these areas.

“We made commitments through our goal-setting process to increase southwestern deer populations,” said Simon. “To accomplish this, we need to restrict antlerless deer harvest.”

Permit areas affected by the change are 234, 237, 274, 275, 282, 283, 284, 286, 288, 289, and 294. (go to “http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2009/07/2009-deer-zones.png”to see map of deer permit areas).

Detailed information about deer season licenses and permit requirements is in the 2009 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations and on the DNR “http://www.mndnr.gov/deer”

Here are a few fishing reports from the area:

ALBERT LEA — Catfish are biting well throughout the day on Fountain Lake on various baits, chicken liver seems to work the best. The largemouth bass fishing has been pretty consistent on Fountain Lake. Walleye fishing has been spotty on both Albert Lea and Fountain Lakes but there are still a few to be found. There have also been reports of some dandy perch being caught in Edgewater Bay.

FAIRMONT — Perch and crappie action is strong at Fox Lake in six to eight feet. You’ll find perch and bluegills in the trees of Lake Sissiton and Budd Lake is producing crappies in eight to 12 feet. Leeches or X-Raps have worked well for walleyes in 12 feet at Hall Lake, Lake Imogene, and Amber Lake.

FARIBAULT — Sunfish and bass continue to be pulled off the 10- to 15-foot weeds of Lake Mazaska. The weedlines of Cedar Lake are holding bass and northern pike. Trolling crankbaits on French Lake is producing muskies early and late in the day. Work the deeper pockets of the Cannon River for walleyes, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.

MANKATO — Crappies and a few walleyes are being caught in 10 to 15 feet around the narrows and Grassy Island area of Madison Lake. Waxworms are producing sunfish in 10 to 12 feet at Lake Washington. Work Lake Tetonka with spinnerbaits for bass and Big Jefferson Lake with spoons for northern pike.

Until next time keep fish’n and, as always, enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers throughout the year.