Outdoors: Even with spring approaching, I’m thinking about October

Even though it is almost spring, I ponder October.

The hunting and trapping seasons are almost upon us then, and it’s a good time to hunt mushrooms. The fishing becomes good, as most species are feeding up to make it comfortable through the winter.

October also is a month to take care of garden chores. Fertilizer is applied, leaves are raked, and anything that needs to be canned or frozen also is a chore.

Then there is permission to be acquired if you are going to trap or hunt. Dress neatly and knock on doors at an appropriate time. It is not only a busy time for you, but also for farmers. This is the time when crops are beginning to be harvested. You don’t want to go out in the field to ask permission when they are busy.

Also, don’t drive out in a field if it is even slightly muddy. This causes a problem with no-till operations and often will get you run off the place. No-till saves the farmer a lot of fuel, and in this day and age that means a lot to anyone.

Make sure your vehicle or boat is in good shape. This an important chore and, unlike others, needs to happen closer to the seasons. Several weeks ahead is about right. Make sure everything is sound. Check tires, fluids, break lights and blinkers.

Once all that is done, you can pat yourself on the back. But don’t be fooled. Come opening day, you probably will discover that you forgot to take care of something else. This almost always is a problem for me.

As properties get hunted down and game becomes wise, it might be a good time to obtain some new areas, whether it be to hunt or trap. If you observe a lot of animals feeding in a field, this may be a good time to ask the landowner for permission. He or she knows all about the pests, be it deer or raccoons. It is usually easy to obtain permission on an area like this.

If you make a good impression and do a good job, you will have that area forever.

Fishing report

Some sauger and walleye are being caught near the mouth of the Fox River. Slow trolling has been best on windy days, as it is hard to maintain boat control while vertical jigging. Most farm ponds are free of ice now, but is hard to reach deep holes from the bank. Live bait is a must, as one cannot move a lure very slowly. The lure must have action to be effective.

Hunting report

I did see a multitude of white decoys just north of Route 52. I figured these guys were hunting snow geese. I wasn’t able to speak with them to see if they did any good.

La Salle County Pheasants Forever

Mark your calendars for Sunday. This is the day for the La Salle County Pheasants Forever 34th annual banquet, which will take place at the Pitstick Pavillion in Ottawa. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the dinner is at 6:30. Hope to see many of your there.

• Fred Krause is a Shaw Media correspondent.