Figured we didn't have one of these yet and fall is a good time for it. Critters are busy right now, and I've been seeing more than usual on my morning walks.
The things to watch out for first, since a couple of them can cost you money or a trip to the doctor.
Deer. It's coming up on rut season, and they're moving a lot more at dawn and dusk. Anyone driving out toward Mount Comfort or Crossover, or on the edges of town where it gets wooded, slow down in the evening. I've had two close calls over the years and they never give you much warning. If you see one cross, assume there's a second one behind it.
Snakes. Copperheads are the ones most people around here will actually run into, and fall is when they move toward their winter dens. They like leaf piles, woodpiles, rock walls and mulch beds. Wear shoes in the yard when you're raking, and look before you reach into a pile of anything. Mostly they want to be left alone. Not every snake is a copperhead either, and a lot of the harmless ones get killed by mistake, so learn what you're looking at.
Ticks. People forget about these once it cools off, but lone star ticks stick around into the fall. Check yourself and the dog after time on the trails. There's also a meat allergy some folks pick up from tick bites that is real in Arkansas, so it's worth reading about if you're outdoors much.
Bears and coyotes. We're close enough to the hills that a black bear wanders through every so often, especially this time of year when they're eating everything they can find. The Game and Fish folks say to bring in bird feeders, lock up trash, and don't leave pet food out. Coyotes are around too. They're not a big threat to people, but keep small pets close at dusk and after dark.
Now the good part. I love the fall for wildlife. The hawks are all over the place, and I've heard barred owls a few evenings in a row asking their usual "who cooks for you." 🦉 Herons hang around Lake Fayetteville, and monarchs have been passing through on their way south. Bald eagles come in for the winter around Beaver Lake if you feel like a drive. And if you get to the farmers market early on the Square, it's amazing how many squirrels and sparrows have figured out where the dropped food ends up.
A few common-sense things. Don't feed wild animals, even the cute ones. Keep your distance from anything acting strange, and call the city or Game and Fish rather than trying to handle it yourself. Last I heard they'll take reports on sick or aggressive animals, but check with them directly for who handles what.
So what have you all seen lately? I'd like to know where the bears and foxes are turning up this season, and whether anyone has spotted anything unusual on Kessler or around Wilson Park. 🐾