September: the favorite month for nature lovers | columns

In just a week or so, the month many nature lovers have been waiting for will be upon us. September is the month when hunting season really begins and the time when stream fishing in the Great Lakes heats up. Hunters and fishermen alike are looking forward to this month for different reasons.

Goose hunters will start the month strong on September 1st with 24 days to chase down their prey. They’ll be ready for shotgun action that’s sure to hone shooting skills for the upcoming firearms season, which will be followed a week later with early September squirrel season. This will teach you patience for the October archery season that is just a few weeks away.

But if you’re a lucky hunter who gets one of 14 antlered or 15 antlerless archery moose tags, everything else will probably have to be put on hold. The moose archery season runs from September 10 to 24 this year. It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hunt a Pennsylvania moose and anything else doesn’t stand a chance in comparison.

Of course, if you’ve tried all of that, there’s always another option. You can try your luck shooting those fast flying birds which are a real challenge and good food. Yes, I am referring to pigeons and rails, which provide excellent brisket meat when wrapped and cooked in bacon. It’s top-notch table food.

Of course, in the meantime, while participating in the above, you can check the Great Lake fishing reports online and head out for some fast-paced fishing action. Salmon is exciting, but hooking on a rainbow trout, also known as a silver bullet, is a truly amazing experience. Anglers know that when lakes start to cool down and fall rains raise river levels, fish will start to run upstream.

So get ready now and get your gear out for the exciting month ahead. Don’t waste an entire month of a great outdoor adventure sitting around waiting for archery season. It’s a good time to be outdoors right now.

David Orlowski is a writer, hunter, fisherman, and outdoor enthusiast from Potter County. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.