A precipitation return during August and September apparently was just enough to coax fall mushrooms to the surface for admiring, picking, freezing and immediate consumption.

Chicken of the woods and the drabber hen of the woods were late in appearing but seemed to put on a good flushes of growth late.  Both are easily identified and prepared for the freezer or fry pan.  Giant puffballs, another large and easily recognized mushroom it appeared, too but generally comes in lower on the prime chart than chickens and hens.

Watch out for Jack-o-lantern mushrooms, which are poisonous, but orange, too.

Hundreds of fly mushrooms are common sight this month on the right hillside. This gilled mushroom in poisonous, along with its pure white sister, the destroying angel, another Amanita.  Both, while poisonous, make for interesting photographs.

The inland trout season has been interesting, according to Bret Schultz, a most days, Black Earth, angler, “January through August were extremely good in spite of the very low water levels,” he said.  “The main thing right now until the closing Oct. 15 is all streams need rain, rain, and more rain. The creeks are extremely low and extremely clear leaving the fish very, very spooky.”

Bret describes the fishing difficult now because the trout are after tiny Mayflies.  The window of hatching varies but hitting it can provide a better than average time in the water.

Wally Banfi, at Wilderness Fish and Game, said registration of lake sturgeon reached a mere three fish, compared to 17 last year.  Water levels took the brunt of the blame.

Some nice deer have been registered, but hunters are happy to feel cooler temperatures for deer movement and meat handling.  Scrapes, rubs, sparing, and swelling necks are all signs of the upcoming breeding season beginning near Halloween.  Expect walleye fishing to pick up as the water approaches 60 degrees.

Consider hunting wild turkeys until January end, but decide yourself whether to carry a gun.

Jeff Fredrick, a Buffalo County turkey artist, says there are some advantages to going to the woods, even without a full chock shotgun and heavy shotshells.  “If hunters target large flocks, this fall fling may be for you.  Some hunters caution regarding over calling in the spring but for fall, there can be no such thing and gregarious birds are all ears.”

Even blind calling is likely to bring in a raft of birds and hunters can hear lots of sounds and calls, which could be used next spring.

Jeff does have some hesitancy about taking gobblers on lands where one is going in spring hunt just because he loves spring gobblers so much and hunting them during spring periods.  “The early part of fall hunting, opening with grouse and squirrel, is that many of the poults need to grow up more and do so with a hen’s oversight,” he said. “We’re beyond that point now.”

Autumn’s in full swing with leaf changes, animal transformations, and flowers, fruits and other tree parts ending the growing season.  October is one of the best times to be outdoors.  Enjoy autumn on its own or take notice while doing other things.  Pay more attention on just getting out to look, smell, feel, listen and even taste and less focus on percent of peak.  Just do it and enjoy it.

Contact Jerry Davis, a freelance writer, at sivadjam@mhtc.net or 608.924.1112.