Halloween has come and gone, and the national forest has again been spared the agonies of a zombie apocalypse. If you are headed out to the woods to enjoy the last bits of fall before the snow comes down permanently, remember that deer firearms hunting season continues in our area until November 18.
Be aware of hunting activity in the area you visit and be sure to wear blaze orange. Don’t forget to get some orange on your dog too.
Snow has, of course, already been falling and sticking over the hill away from the big lake. Driving can be tricky this time of year, with road conditions which are highly variable. It is easy to crest a hill and come from a clear slightly muddy road on a south-facing slope onto a slippery snow-covered north-facing slope. Be careful on all hills and corners as you travel.
Snow means cold! Remember that spring and fall tend to be the times when hypothermia strikes the most victims. People just don’t want to admit that it is cold outside and it is time to bundle up. But, winter is almost here, and it is definitely time to get the winter gear out of storage. Even if it is nice when you leave the house, the weather changes quickly in spring and fall, and you should be prepared for cold.
Find the winter gear for your car too. Somewhere in the garage is probably a container you packed with survival gear from last fall. It’s time to find it and replace the year-old candy bar with some more palatable winter food. Check the batteries in the flashlight, and put the blanket back in the trunk. Don’t forget a current map, compass as well as your GPS. More winter driving tips: www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/driving
Once you’re prepared and headed out the road, you’ll run into truck traffic on the Tofte District on the Frank Lake Road, Trappers Lake Road, Dumbell River Road, Wanless Road, Lake County 7, Lake County 705, Cook County 33, the 4 Mile Grade, and The Grade. The Gunflint District will have hauling on the Caribou Trail, the Murmur Creek Road, and the Greenwood Road. There is also still roadwork on the 600 Road, so watch for heavy equipment in that area.
Most of our fall migrant birds have already headed down the road and moved on with the recent weather fronts. We are left with our diehard winter birds. It isn’t actually the cold that bothers birds. Their body temperature runs hotter than a person’s and they are well equipped to handle cold with a built-in down coat.
What bothers birds is shortage of food and water. Birds that depend on foods like nectar and insects must travel south to eat. Birds that depend on seeds are able to stay through winter because seeds are available all year. You can help by supplying seeds and suet in feeders in the winter, but you can also help by supplying water.
Birds do get water from snow and as a metabolic side product, but you can supply water in a heated birdbath. Be careful to use a commercial heater that will keep the water lukewarm, not hot, and add rocks to the bird bath to make it difficult for birds to actually bathe in it. Birds are tempted to submerge themselves, and a wet bird on a cold day can have trouble.
Keep yourself warm, dry, and prepared for winter and you’ll have a great week out in the forest!
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