Suddenly, summer seems to be fading fast and fall is taking over. Leaves on most trees are looking pale and beginning to turn color and it won’t be long before the lawn mower can be retired and shotguns brought out of storage. Don’t look for a colorful leaf peeping season this year as the lack of rain is causing an early leaf drop.

The special goose season is under way but one of the most exciting bird seasons opens Oct. 6 when woodcock are fair game. A woodcock, like a grouse, can humble even top skeet and trap shooters. This small bird has a nasty habit of remaining on the ground until you almost step on it before it takes off.

The woodcock, also called a timber-doodle, doesn’t fly straight away like any sensible bird would. It climbs straight up in front of the hunter looking him or her in the eye as it does so. Then just as the hunter pulls the shotgun up the bird begins a zig-zag flight, whistling all the time. To say it’s unnerving is more than an understatement, it can shake even the most accomplished shot-gunner when the first bird of the season begins to tower.

It usually take a couple of misses before the shooter settles down and waits until the bird is at the top of its tower and then tries for a shot. The basic rule is to aim at the zig, but shoot at the zag. A peculiar trait of woodcock is they drop to the ground shortly after being shot at. If you miss, and expect to miss, mark where the bird went down and walk to the spot carefully and you will probably put the bird up a second time. They do little, if any, running on the ground. Miss the shot and kiss that bird goodbye.

Woodcock like tag alders, willow stands or just about any tangle with young growth around. Marshy ground is ideal if you can find any this year. The lack of rain all summer could mean migrating woodcock could pass by looking for ground they can poke their long beaks into in search of worm. A sure sign woodcock are around is large white splotches on the ground. The migration is just in the early stages and with luck we might have some soaking rains that will keep the birds around for a while. No. 8 shot is ideal for woodcock and a modified or improved cylinder barrel will do the job. Bag limit is three a day and all hunters must be enrolled in the Harvest Information Program. You can sign up easily by calling 1 (888) 427-5447.

The wise bow hunter will be out scouting now so when the season starts Oct. 13 he or she will have some idea where deer might be. With the lack of rain this past summer don’t expect a good crop of acorns or other wild crops deer depend on for winter food.

It could be tough year for deer especially if we get deep snows and little on the ground for deer to paw for. This would also be a good time of year to repair your tree stand or erect a new one. Have it in place early means deer will be used to it and ignore it in a short time giving you an advantage once the season opens.

You can expect to see more deer this year than in the past and the DEC is predicting a record take with an increase in the number of deer management permits given out. The deadline for applying for a permit is Oct. 1. Your chances of getting one are as good as applying the first day they were announced because selections will be made by a computer after the close of applications.

One of the best shows in town opens this weekend at the New York State Power Authority Power Vista starting at 10 a.m. rain or shine today. The youngsters in the family will more than enjoy seeing all kinds of wildlife from a bald eagle, screech owl, hawks, peregrine falcon along with monkeys and puppets. Don’t tell the kids, but they will probably learn something at the talks, demonstrations and question and answer periods. There will be food and refreshments for sale and NRAA will once again have a fishing pond loaded with trout for anyone to try for. Admission and parking are free and the Power Vista is located on Route 104 at the extreme northern end of Niagara Falls.

Joe Ognibene is a local sportsman who has covered the outdoor scene since 1957.