Autumn weather arrived with a vengeance - and more rain. As if we didn’t already have enough. However, fair weather is predicted for the remainder of this week.

If you’re a hunter you may not appreciate the rain because it makes for soggy, uncomfortable conditions whether you’re out for pheasants, cottontails or even the northern zone early bear season.

Gore-Tex is one of the finest inventions ever created and my camo gear is dry and comfortable but in an incessant rain the water always seems to find some channel that leads right down the back of my neck. Let’s hope this rainy weather pattern ceases by the time the northern zone big gam season opens on Oct. 22, just a few weeks away. However, after a brief but pleasant respite from the rain. showers are again predicted for this weekend.

If you’re an inveterate angler, don’t give up just yet. October can be one of the most productive months of the year and many sizable walleyes and pike are reported taken in Great Sacandaga every year during October and there are several cogent reasons for that.

For one, the water level in the lake is receding and the total pool is smaller; pike and walleyes go on a feeding spree as the water and air temperatures drop; they have a tendency to move up in the water column and can often be caught at shallower depths; there are fewer people on the lake, hence less competition; on a good day the weather conditions can be downright pleasant; and the autumn scenery is beautiful.

I took a ride around the lake last week and saw several boats out there, enjoying the autumn weather conditions. I did get to speak with a few of the anglers and learned they each had a few nice, fat walleyes but their primary targets were rainbows. Trout fishing is also good this time of year. Enjoy the fishing for the next week or two, before deer hunting becomes your primary activity.

VETERANS’ PHEASANT HUNT

On Sunday, Oct. 9, the Montgomery County Republican Club will host its Third Annual Veterans’ Pheasant Hunt at Sand Flat Orchards, just off Hickory Hill Road, north of Fonda. This hunting opportunity is provided for any area veterans with valid hunting licenses who may wish to attend and participate.

Guides and dogs will be available but if anyone has a bird dog they’d like to run, that’s OK too.  A full buffet breakfast will also be provided free of charge beginning at 6:30 a.m., at the orchard, just  prior to the hunt.

There is limited space available on this hunt so if you’re interested you should call Tom Georgia in Tribes Hill, at 829-7083, as soon as possible, to register. I’m not certain there are any more vacancies available but it’s worth a call anyway.

The hunt should be over by around 11 a.m., if you’re a bit short on available time.

WATERFOWL SEASONS

Here’s a brief reminder that our waterfowl seasons are upon us. Some have already begun while others are rapidly approaching.

In the northeast zone the duck season runs from October 1 through October 10 and then again from Oct. 22 through Dec. 10. The snow goose season runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 and again from Feb. 25 through April 15, 2012.

In the southeast zone, the duck season runs from Oct. 8 to Oct. 16 and then again from Oct. 29 through Dec. 22. The snow goose season runs from Oct. 1 to Jan. 5 and then again from March 1 through April 15, 2012.

The first portion of the Canada goose season in the northeast zone is already over but it reopens on Oct. 22 and runs through Dec. 5. In the east-central zone the Canada goose season runs from Oct. 22 through Nov. 18 and then from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2, 2012.

Don’t forget that you’ll need a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number before venturing out on any migratory bird hunts, including waterfowl and woodcock. It’s mandatory but free and it takes only a few minutes to get one.

You have to re-register annually and HIP registrations run from July 1 through June 30, so get yours soon if you haven’t already done so. There are a couple of ways you can do that, so use whichever method works best for you. You can dial, toll-free, 1-888-247-5447 or you can go to: www.ny-hip.com on the web.

When you finish the short registration process, record the HIP number you’re given on a slip of paper, along with the date you got that number, and store it with your hunting license.

Also, don’t forget to get a new migratory waterfowl stamp before hunting ducks or geese. These stamps are available at most Post Offices.