Once again, I am going to start out my column by stating how much I like the change of seasons. Fall is, beyond a doubt, my favorite season, and that may be attributed to the beautiful colors that we are treated to. Some years our fall is cut short by an early snowfall and others by windy, rainy days that tend to pluck the colorful leaves off of the trees a little too soon.
If you have ever taken a stroll through the woods on a crisp fall day after a rain, you know what the smell of damp, fallen leaves is. To me, that is like a magic potion that brings me close to nature. All of our seasons have a distinct smell, and fall is definitely my favorite. Spring brings that smell of newness to the table as if we are starting fresh. Summer has the smell of pine trees and flowers in bloom. Winter’s smells are usually man-made; there is nothing better than the smell of the smoke rising in the air from a wood stove or fireplace. These are just a few of the many things that we can associate with a season.
I can definitely relate to archery hunters when it comes to sitting in a deer stand on a crisp and sunny fall day. A few years ago, I took a drive with my son Brian to check out one of his hunting spots. This was at a time when he was still a young pup. His Uncle Lynn had gotten him into bow hunting for deer at a fairly young age. He had actually gotten to be pretty good at it before his uncle moved to Alaska. Like a lot of us, he got married and with that came responsibility and a family, so his hunting time was taken up by family time. He does buy a license and goes with his uncle and his friends whenever Lynn comes back to Minnesota.
This year’s archery season goes until Dec. 31 of this year. The slug season for deer statewide is Nov. 7 through Nov. 22. Muzzleloader seson runs from Nov. 28 through Dec. 13. Youth archery, firearm and muzzleloader season for youth from ages 10-17 must obtain a youth deer hunting license (free for youth 10-12). Youth under 10 years of age may not hunt big game.
You need to check the regulations for the area you are planning to hunt. After a deer season is open, all licenses and permits are valid the same day of purchase if purchased before legal shooting hours. If the license or permit is purchased after legal shooting hours have begun, it is valid the following day.
I believe that the sport of archery hunting for deer is a great way for youth to learn patience, appreciate the outdoors and in turn, learn to respect the environment. Sitting in a tree stand on a crisp, sunny fall day is a great way to connect with nature. I have heard many stories about the many critters one may encounter while sitting silently in the woods, waiting for that “big buck” to appear.
White-tailed deer mate from November to early December. Their young (often two fawns, weighing eight pounds each) are born seven months later.
Fawns have white spots that disappear after three to four months. They nurse for the first several months, then remain with their mother for the next one to two years.
White-tailed deer eat many foods, such as acorns, corn, soybeans, mushrooms, grasses, tree leaves, buds, twigs and bark, wild grapes, apples and assorted shrubs.
The whitetail has many predators other than man.
In Minnesota, wolves, coyotes, bears, and bobcats hunt and eat whitetails. When we have a lot of snow during the winter months, it makes food scarce for the deer and the deep snow makes them more vulnerable to predators.
Minnesota deer hunters should be aware of chronic wasting disease regulations and sampling as they plan ahead for upcoming deer seasons, including the antlerless-only and youth deer seasons that take place from Thursday, Oct. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 18, and the opening weekend of firearms deer season Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8.
Until next time: The trees of our area are peaking fast and it’s a great time to take full advantage of the fall. It is, indeed, a great time to enjoy the beauty of our area by taking a drive in the country. Always be mindful of the farmers who are out in the fields during harvest time.
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