In today’s world, hunters have more tools to work with to help us become better hunters. With a wide array of scouting tools available, it’s easy to become what I call a “lazy boy scouter.”

From computerized topo maps to GPSs to phone apps, today’s hunters can really fine-tune their hunting game plans. But there is still nothing better than good old-fashioned get-out-of-the-house legwork. Over the years, I have uncovered more information and knowledge about a hunting area while following a blood trail. The new technology is good, but nothing can replace boots on the ground.

Once an animal is hit, they generally head toward their safe area. This could be bedding or core areas where they spend the majority of the time; it’s where they let their guard down, and it’s where they feel safe.

Now, before we all run out and go beating the brush, remember weather changes will put deer in their fall mode a little early, and we can’t push them too hard. With the mast crop beginning to drop, the way they travel and the trails they use will be altered. I am not sure if that is true every year, but the past several years are a gauge; it can be true.

Whitetail hunters over the years used various forms of scouting. Pre-season scouting has gone into the high tech with digital cameras that take photos of game in the area where the camera is placed, to old-fashioned leg work. Of course, I still prefer the old tried-and-true ways of scouting with topographical maps and leg work, but we do use trail cameras to fine-tune deer travel patterns and to see just what is strolling around my setups when I am not there. To be successful day in and day out, a hunter must do his homework throughout the year.

Pre-season scouting should be just as much a part of hunting as shooting your bow. There is no article or video on the market that is going to give you firsthand knowledge of your hunting area. The only way to get that knowledge is to get off your couch and walk the woods.

It looks like this year should be a good one for setting up food sources. From what I have seen, our main areas are filled with acorns and wild apples. On the downside, the hot summer we experienced this year has forced some farmers to start cutting earlier. Don’t let this stop you from setting up close to these food sources.

Picking out a stand location is a personal thing. I have hunted with guys that will not place a stand less than fifteen feet off the ground; I have also seen hunters who do not want to be more than ten feet off the ground.

All of these setups work great during certain times of the season. Being bullheaded to a given idea isn’t going to fill your tags. If anything I say does not sink in, hear me on this: be a flexible hunter. Move to where the deer are moving. If for some reason deer are moving on the other side of the field of a stand of pines, move to where the deer are. You can have the straightest arrows, the sharpest broadheads, the finest camo, the most secure and safest tree stand, and hit a quarter at twenty yards with your state-of-the-art bow, but if the deer are not where you are, then all is for nothing.

No matter where you set up, make sure to check the wind. Nothing will mess up a stand more than if a deer gets wind of you. That can happen while on the stand or when you walk to and from your stand. Always wear scent-free clothing and “barn” style boots. The difference high boots make is unbelievable.

One of the most asked questions I get is, “How long or how many times do I sit on a stand?” I never put my clients or myself on a stand that has been hunted for a full day. If I hunt a stand in the afternoon, I will hunt it the next morning. Never, ever will I hunt it after two such sittings, but we’ll let that stand rest for 4-5 days before I ever think about hunting that same stand again. This rule never gets broken. Past experience has taught me hunters will see more deer during the first sitting than another time.

There are many things that run through our mind when we are climbing a tree: wind, equipment, scent control, and much more. The most important thing that we must never forget is safety; use a four-point climbing/safety system each time you head to the trees.

I have long said that while I scout, I carry a notebook; this book is my hunting bible, and then I transfer the information to my computer. I always check it before I set foot in the woods. In this little black book I keep records such as wind direction, stand location, scrape lines, mast crop, success in the past and daily reports. I strongly suggest that any and all serious hunters keep a hunting journal.

I hope these tips and tricks get you out into the woods and allows you to be safe and successful while doing it. Happy Hunting!

Cover photo courtesy of Audubon Community Nature Center, submitted by Megan Watson.

When the nights begin to cool down in September and October and the days grow slowly shorter, the fish wake up and take notice. Now is a great time to be on the water for all species of fish and it’s maddening how hunting and fishing seem to interfere with each other. How can you hunt squirrels or grouse knowing the cold waters are teeming with fish ready to bite? Unfortunately, you simply can’t be in 2 places at the same time.

If you’re looking for size, Lake Ontario has the mighty Chinooks moving in off the mouths of the major tributaries. A 30-pound Chinook feels like a horse on steroids ripping around and stripping the line of your reel. They are a blast to battle and provide the fishermen with a real workout. Experienced fishermen told me to tie my line onto the reel with a slip knot, a rubber band, or not at all if a super charged, huge Chinook runs all the line off your reel. The tremendous force generated when a high-speed salmon hits the end of your line is incredible.

As the chinooks run up the rivers, the steelhead follow as well as brown trout to feed on Chinook eggs and spawn themselves. The Great Lakes are a fantastic fishery and we are fortunate to live nearby Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Steelhead alone are a staple for many anglers in the fall. Tremendous fishing can be had in low water conditions when thousands of steelhead build up off the mouths of the creeks. Then, when a hard rain hits and the streams rise, the fish come upstream in a solid tide. You can stand in one spot when this occurs and actually feel the fish bumping into your boots as they swim by in packs.

Walleyes run in the fall as well and some great fish can be caught from shore in creek mouths. They can be a little spooky when close to shore, early and late in the day are the best times to fish for them. The less commotion the better. Minnow baits seem to be very productive this time of year. I like to have some silver on mine.

Lake Chautauqua is close by and the fall weather can provide some excellent fishing here for walleyes, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and, of course, muskellunge. But, if you’re into less stressful fishing, the perch school up this time of year and move inshore. I must admit that a fresh fried perch fillet really grabs my attention.

Perch are not really finicky as a rule and minnows, worms, or wax worms all produce in abundance once you locate the perch. I’ve had great success using Trout Magic Jigs on perch, sometimes they out produce live or natural bait surprising as that may be to you. But, don’t neglect your good old night crawlers; they work as well as anything in most circumstances and are cheap and easy to transport, just keep them cold. Perch are also fairly easy to fillet and, as I mentioned, excellent eating.

When September draws to a close and the moon is full or in the dark, my heart always thrills to the muskellunge. These unpredictable and savage fish hold a special place in my heart and countless memories, some of which non-fishermen may find hard to believe. Muskies are totally unpredictable, other than being very hard to catch, and liable to do anything.

Early one fall morning my wife, Jane, and I were drifting across a bay on a weed edge. Jane managed to get the first cast off with a #5 Mepps Muskie Killer.

Just as she was about to lift the Mepps from the water a dark, green-barred streak shot from behind her lure and grabbed it in a flurry of white water.

I was startled by the ferocity of the strike, but if we thought the water flying from the strike was impressive, it was nothing compared to the thrashing that took place when the big lunge felt the hook! The surface simply erupted in spray and flying water, soaking our faces. This frenzy went on for several seconds, then the Muskie leaped out of the water; he and I were eyeball-to-eyeball.

The muskellunge’s momentum carried it to the boat, but with casual insolence the heavy fish flicked its tail on the outside of the gunnel and, for a split second, we looked at each other at 18-inches or so. Then she turned her big head outward and fell with a final large splash, Jane’s Mepps flying through the air.

I stood there, drenched, dripping and open mouthed. Jane was dripping all over as well, stunned, amazed, with a “What just happened?” expression on her face.

We simply stared at each other and then began laughing and talking excitedly at each other. I grabbed the hand towel and we dried our faces, hands and glasses, wiped down our clothing, shaking our heads the entire time in disbelief. One free shower from the king of freshwater gamefish and a memory so incredible it didn’t seem real even to ourselves. How often we’ve relived that experience over the years, and when we meet again, I’m sure we will laugh some more.

What promises does fall hold? Go and find out.

Robertson serves as a local freelance writer specializing in all things outdoors. He writes weekly for The Bradford Era and Olean Times Herald. He also publishes regionally and nationally in magazines such as Fur Fish & Game and the Pennsylvania Game News. He recently won four first place writing awards from The Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers’ yearly convention. Robertson has also published poetry in six countries across the world and writes powerful poetry specific to an individual or for any special occasion guaranteed to touch one’s heart and soul. Additionally, he published a book, Soul of the Hunter, a collection of short stories about his special experiences and many adventures as a youth. Robertson encourages any outdoorsman to contact him with their special experiences for possible publication. He also encourages any media outlet in need of quality articles to contact him at wadewrites3006@gmail.com.