It’s beginning to look a lot like fall everywhere you go. I guess I’m changing the words to an old Christmas carol, but the cool down we have experienced is really making it feel like the season is in tune with the calendar.

I just returned from a few days up north, and although the fall colors are everywhere, they may not peak for a week or two. It did get down to 31 degrees on Tuesday night, but overall the season is still about two weeks behind normal. It felt good to be outdoors enjoying the fall weather although Monday was rainy and windy Tuesday turned out to be a dandy day.

Even though the temperature on Tuesday only hovered around 50 most of the day I found the time to fix a few things that I’d been meaning to get to for a quite a while and still enjoy the outdoors.

We have an old wooden bird feeder at the cabin and from time to time it has been knocked down, blown down and chewed on, but I still manage to revive it each time. I know the red squirrels and chipmunks have been taking turns feeding from it, and I spotted a raccoon surveying the situation earlier in the summer. I figured it had to be a coon or a bear that had the strength to “rip” it off its perch last year. The coon was more than likely the culprit, but imagining a bear doing this puts a little more exciting spin on the story.

This time when I had to repair it I patched it up with duct tape to hold the bottom on and filled it with feed. When I awoke the next morning part of it was laying on the ground along with the birdseed. I fixed it once again and hung it back up while a finch anxiously waited on the branch above for me to finish. There were bluebirds and finches feeding from it all day and later in the afternoon a pair of blue jays joined in the festivities. I don’t know if they are lazy or just smart because they didn’t go to the feeder but ate from the fallen seed on the ground.

I know that I will have to finally find a replacement for the old feeder by next spring. I enjoy watching the various critters that seem for the most part to be ignoring the human factor at the cabin.

As I sat outside looking out over the lake an eagle flew past just above the treetops. I sometimes think that a person just needs to slow things down a little and take a little time to enjoy some of the many sights nature has to offer us.

The time is fast approaching when the DNR will be “reclaiming” Pickerel Lake by killing off all the fish. I always seem to have mixed feelings about such a project. There is a part of me that knows this is something that needs to be done to clear up the water and get rid of the rough fish. There is also a part of me that will always wonder how many game fish will die in the process. I guess that part is the kid coming out in me. Whenever I look at a lake, I always fantasize about that lunker that is lurking off that far point or on the other side of the island.

Once this is done the DNR will stock the lake with northern pike, perch and bluegills. They say it will take a few years before the fish will reach keeper size, but it should be better for the watershed in the long run. Like I mentioned earlier I have always had mixed feelings about poisoning a lake to make it better. I wonder how many times that has been done to Clear Lake in Waseca?

DNR issues duckboat safety reminder

With many duck hunters anxiously preparing for the Oct. 3, Minnesota opener, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds people to make sure they pack the one thing that could save their lives — their life jackets.

“The lack of flotation devices is still one of the most common law violations among waterfowl hunters and the most common cause of duck hunter deaths,” said Tim Smalley, DNR boating safety specialist. “It’s been that way ever since 1988, when life jackets were first required on duck boats.”

Twelve hunters have drowned in boating accidents since life jackets were first required on duckboats more than 20 years ago. “While 12 deaths is 12 too many, before life vests were mandated, three to six hunters died in duckboat accidents nearly every season,” Smalley said.

Minnesota law requires a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for every person on duckboats. Plus, for boats 16-feet and longer, there must be one U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation seat cushion on board, to throw to someone in distress. Seat cushions are no longer approved as primary flotation devices. Everyone on the boat needs a wearable personal flotation device of the proper size and type.

Life jackets made with the waterfowler in mind are available in camouflage colors.

“They have mesh in the upper body that allows you to shoulder a gun,” Smalley said. “That way, you don’t have to keep taking the vest off when you shoot.”

According to water safety experts, having a life jacket doesn’t matter if it’s stuffed in a decoy sack when the accident occurs.

“You just don’t have time,” Smalley said. “Trying to put on a life jacket during a boating accident would be like trying to buckle a seat belt during a car crash.”

The DNR discourages hunters from wearing hip boots or waders in the boat due to safety concerns. Hunters have drowned while trying to take their waders off after they have fallen into the water or their boat has capsized.

“That releases any trapped air in the boots and at the same time binds the victim’s feet together so they can’t kick to stay afloat,” Smalley said.

“However, if you do wear that sort of foot gear and suddenly enter the water, by pulling your knees up to your chest, air trapped in the waders or hip boots can act as a flotation device. You should practice that maneuver in warm shallow water before you need to do it in an emergency.”

The DNR offers these water safety tips for duck hunters:

Wear a life jacket to and from the blind; there are now life jackets available for around $35 with mesh in the upper body that allow hunters to shoulder a gun but still offer protection from cold water.

Don’t overload the boat; take two trips if necessary.

Learn how to float in waders and hip boats or don’t wear them in the boat.

Stay near shore and avoid crossing large expanses of open water, especially in bad weather.

Let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return; tell them to call the authorities if you don’t return on schedule.

In case of capsizing or swamping, stay with your boat; even when filled with water, it will provide some flotation and is more likely to be seen by potential rescuers.

“If you are near a cell phone tower, it’s a good idea to bring your cell phone along in a waterproof, reclosable bag to call for help if you get into trouble,” Smalley advised. “You can use the phone without removing it from the bag.”

The DNR has a free publication about waterfowl hunting boat safety called “Prescription for Duck Hunters.” It is available by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll free 888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

Until next time hunt safe, keep fish’n and, as always, take a little time to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.

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