Wisconsin's Telltale Signs of Fall

Mornin' to anyone foraging for wild eats today (Dad must be cooking). This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

*Psst. If you haven't seen our latest merch on our website, give it a gander here.

This week's season-ending email:

• Tell-tale signs of fall 🍁 

• Grazing goats save the Brule River State Forest 🐐 

• Why are these squirrels glowing hot pink? 🐿

The telltale signs of Wisconsin's Autumn

Ah, you smell that? Ok not THAT, sorry I put some leftover bratwürst in my eggs this morning...

We're talking about that crisp, earthy smell, carrying rich tones of tree bark and a bit of decaying undergrowth.

With Labor Day in our rear view, we can officially say that Autumn is on its way, and that means a couple things, like da Green Bay Packers, mom's apple pie, fall colors hikes, the beer... Well that's pretty much the same, except it stays colder now.

Alas, we think most of you 'Scampsonites out there would agree that fall is the favorite child of Wisconsin's seasons.

Hiking, biking, running, camping, fishing... Nearly every activity will be that much more enjoyable now that the mosquitos and humidity are behind us.

Though officially deemed as starting on Sept. 22nd and ending Dec. 21st, signs of fall arrive much quicker than that.

So here's a quick preview on what you can expect to see when out and about now that autumn is en route.

The distinct fall smell

You city folks can keep your cologne, we'll take Smell Of Autumn any day. But seriously, how is it so potent, and where does it come from?

In the summer, our olfactory organs sort of gets overloaded due to the moist, muggy air that holds more smelly molecules in it.

When it gets cooler and drier in the fall, there are less competing smells, and you can actually pick out the distinct smell of bark and leaves

Time of day

This one is fairly obvious to everyone except your cousin Mike. He ain't too bright.

As the earth follows its orbit, our hemisphere will now be tilted away from the sun, shortening our length of day.

We now have two hours less of daylight than we had two months ago. And in another two months, we'll have nearly three hours less daylight.

Migrating birds

Something every duck hunter knows, the birds have began their great migrations south to warmer climates. Just like Oma and Opa!

On August 30th, for example, more than 48 million birds flew over our state, as shown on this neat 'birdcast.' 

Check it out for live tracking!

Insects sing to a different beat

One of the greatest things about living in Wisconsin's countryside, the insects singing will actually slow down as we head into cooler autumn nights.

In fact, you can even tell the temperature outside by a cricket's chirp!

Squirrels

Yep, your friendly neighborhood squirrel has resumed his collection and hiding of nuts for his winter storage. The question is, will he actually be able to find any this year?

Plants

Finally, the Big Kahuna - Fall foliage. All over our Google tracker we're seeing links for When Will Wisconsin's Fall Colors Peak and Fall Colors Maps, but the approximate dates to remember are:

Northern Wisconsin: Oct 10th

Central Wisconsin: October 17th

Southern Wisconsin: October 24th

Of course, you could always just watch the trees in your yard. But not that one over there, that one goes whenever it heckin' feels like it.

Cripes, enough from us, we wanna hear from you! What's your favorite sign of Fall? Drop us a line, help out a neighbor, and get out 'der!

This Week's Wiscampsin Weekly is brought to you by the "heck no, I'm not a FIB" eco-friendly license plate holder.

Quick poll for all you Wiscampsonites out there:

Are you sick of promoting Gary Vee's Honda Emporium on your license plate?

Do you wish you could distinguish yourself even further from FIBs clogging our roads?

Does recycling, supporting Wiscampsin, or just plain lookin' rad get you totally amped?

We've got just the thing for you.

Behold, the new Wiscampsin license plate frame!

Made in the USA from 95% recycled Polystyrene, this frame belongs on your RV, car, truck, tractor, camper, and everything in between.

Psst. If you click this link you'll even see Founder Kevin's dog Aspen.

Thanks for the support!

*As always, 1% of profits will go to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

The "Holy Cripes" Moment of the Week❗️

What may be the most terrifying thing for any of the fellas who often skinny dip in our lakes, a massive snapping turtle aptly named Beast washed ashore in Sugar Camp.

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🐿 Hot Pink Squirrels: Researchers in Ashland, Wisconsin couldn't believe either. Why are those squirrels glowing hot pink?! The reason still eludes Researcher Allie Kohler and her team, though they believe it may help attract mates or deter avian predators.

🦋 Invasive critters: Insect experts warn of an incoming wave of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, expected to Land Ho! in Wisconsin in the near future as they move across the nation. Originating from China, they seriously threaten the grape, orchard and logging industries, and the pests could cost the state economy some $300+ million in damages and thousands of jobs.

🐐 Goats are the G.O.A.T: A herd of goats in the Brule River State Forest are helping promote native plant growth by munching on invasive plants. Contracted by the DNR, some 30 goats were shipped in to help curb the Buckthorn plant, an alternative method to using herbicides.

A review from the Trail... We mix our humor and facts like we mix our Brandy Old Fashioneds

Well, how'd we do this week?

• 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀 Superb. Fall can't come quick enough

• 🧀🧀🧀 Pretty good, but not quite ready for summer to end

• 🧀 Damn. Still catching up on last spring's chores!