Canoeing/kayaking
Alex McKinney, 33, Plymouth
Day job: Recreation supervisor, Three Rivers Park District
Nothing is better to me than fall in Minnesota. The cool breezes, vivid colors and lack of mosquitoes make it the best time to be outdoors. There are some great areas to explore either alone, with friends or, like me, with your children. There are some great paddle opportunities just 30 minutes west of the Twin Cities. Whale Tail Lake in Minnetrista can be accessed on the northwest end of the lake from a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources boat launch. The lake is fairly undeveloped and has some great fishing opportunities from a canoe. You will paddle along maple forests full of color and rolling hills. The lake is separated into two sections: the whale (north end) and the tail (south end). The tail portion is generally quieter and less windy. While paddling to the south end you can take out and stop at Gale Woods Farm (about a half-mile hike). The educational, working farm has different programs and hiking opportunities.
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The Crow River is one of the few rivers in Minnesota that flows north to the Mississippi. I recommend putting in at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve and paddling north. You have options. You can take out in Rockford, Hanover or Dayton (at the confluence of the Mississippi River). You also can do a variation of these, such as putting in at Hanover and paddling to the Mississippi. The south fork of the Crow River at Lake Rebecca is small and winding and surrounded by big woods. The river opens up as it joins with the north fork, and you paddle through river communities and a variety of nature viewing. The river is known for eagles, osprey, deer and ducks. It is also a great migratory place during fall. The paddle consists of gentle currents with some Class I rapids that create small, fun waves.
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Lake Rebecca, located just outside of Rockford, is completely surrounded by park reserve and consists of big woods and maple forests. The lake itself is known for muskie and bass fishing. You may see the occasional boater, but you will not feel the pressure of a congested metro lake. Also, the colors are second to none. It is a great place to take in wild and scenic beauty close to home. Too, this is a great spot with children. The park has a play area and places to have picnics.
Hunter
Jared Wiklund, 29, Forest Lake
Day job: Public relations specialist, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever
As an avid upland bird hunter and big-game enthusiast, I see a return to my Minnesota roots and long-standing hunting traditions in my family in the lengthy shadows of autumn. Some of my most vivid childhood memories were formed while walking alongside my father in pursuit of ruffed grouse, or sharing hot cocoa while patiently waiting high above the floor of the Superior National Forest, hoping to catch the movement of a whitetailed deer. My passion for the outdoor life has only grown with age and responsibility, and I look forward to sharing the fall bounty with my wife and daughter. We are a Minnesota hunting family.
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Particularly in fall, Minnesota offers limitless opportunities for anyone interested in the outdoors, whether it be hunting alone, with good friends, or introducing new participants to the traditions. As a returning resident to Minnesota, I am looking forward to exploring new (and virtually untouched) wildlife management areas and state forest acquisitions in the central region that might contain exciting hunting opportunities. Stretches of 50-degree daytime temperatures are common throughout the end of September and early October, and the changing leaves offer an unparalleled backdrop for outdoor endeavors — perfect conditions for me, my hunting dog and our family.
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Stoking my anticipation for the fall hunting season is the conversations I've had with total strangers over the past several weeks while working a booth for Pheasants Forever both at the Minnesota State Fair and Game Fair in Ramsey.
Geocaching
Claire Gahler, 30, Richfield
Day job: Information officer, Ecological and Water Resources Division, Minnesota DNR
I first started geocaching years ago when Minnesota state parks were promoting their Geocaching Wildlife Safari. The goal was to find a hidden cache and collect a wildlife card from each of Minnesota's state parks. It took a few epic adventures (ask me about crossing into Canada to visit Garden Island State Recreation Area), but I completed the challenge in 2009 and found all 72 caches. The Call of the Wildflowers is the theme of the current geocaching challenge at Minnesota state parks and trails. I've found a few of the caches already, and I'll be out finding more this fall. Plus, there's really no better place to see Minnesota's fall colors than at a state park.
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I love a good road trip and always plan a few geocaching stops along the route. It's the perfect excuse to get out of the car and stretch my legs. A fall road trip through bluff country in southeastern Minnesota is a must. There are wineries and breweries ('tis the season for pumpkin ales), apple orchards, and trails that pass panoramic views of the Mississippi River. I'm ready to go right now!
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For me, geocaching is a social activity. My husband and I find geocaches when we're out walking the dog. Or, if I'm on vacation with girlfriends, we'll use geocaching as an excuse to explore a new city. I hid a geocache in front of my parents' house, and my dad always wanders outside to talk with folks who drop by to find it. The Minnesota Geocaching Association is hosting its fall event Oct. 10 at the Weaver Lake Pavilion in Maple Grove. It's the perfect excuse to chat with fellow cachers, find some clever geocaches and enjoy Minnesota in the fall.
Birding
Sharon Stiteler, 41, Minneapolis (Writer/blogger, birdchick.com)
Day job: Park ranger, Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
Hawk Ridge, Duluth: Most people like the big numbers of broad-winged hawks in mid-September, but October brings you the bigger, sexier raptors like northern goshawk, rough-legged hawk and maybe even a gyrfalcon.
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Big Sit, Minneapolis: In October, you pick a spot and write down every bird species you see and hear in a 24-hour period. We do a light version at Coldwater Spring that lasts sunrise to sundown Oct. 17.
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Tundra swans, Brownsville, Minn: From September to December, the Mississippi River is chock full of all manner of ducks, but it gets next-level bananas at Brownsville when about 10,000 tundra swans stop to fuel up on wild celery on their way to Chesapeake Bay for the winter.
