A huge acorn dropped out of an oak and made a loud pop as it hit some nice sized rocks strewn around the base of the tree.

It reminded me of many things; the archery season that was fast approaching in two weeks, fall weather cooling things down with the mast dropping more frequently and the activity of wildlife and hunters in the woodlands.

When I think of archery hunters, I always look up for their tree stands, ladder stands and climbers in those tall straight trees. It also reminds me that whatever goes up must come down, hopefully at the time and place of your choosing.

Safety first is not just for 12 year olds in an H-T-E class, it is meant for all of us at any age. We all know stories of misfortune and sometimes tragedy of hunters in the woods using trees as a vantage point.

Just like that acorn that popped when it hit a rock, we can do likewise. Archery hunters are generally solitary and many are secretive about their favorite archery spots, but the reality is that someone in your circle of family or friends should know exactly where you plan to hang out … literally and figuratively.

I always reference my location to someone at least in general terms. It can be as easy as “I’ll be on top of the hill by the old orchard or I’m walking down the logging trail a couple of hundred yards and will set up at Hunters Rock.”

I like to take at least one of my buddies with me as I scout out an area and pick my vantage points. I don’t think you need to mark the entire woods with flagging tape like you are laying out a highway for PENNDOT! Just a starting point where you enter the woods and a few markers to let someone know they are on the right track in finding you.

The GPS instruments that are out now are accurate and inexpensive, compasses are even cheaper and have been around forever. Finally, a light source is invaluable when you are on a dark path. Hikers and hunters all should carry a light, pocket knife and lighter for emergencies.

We all name our spots and it is very easy to get a topo map and put a few markers on our chosen hot spots for hunting and safety references.

Beaver Boy is off on an archery adventure in the mountains of Colorado. That’s not like hunting the back 40 acres of grandpa’s farm. Thousands of acres, drainages and mountain meadows can be pretty intimidating if you are looking for someone. A topo map and general idea of the area you plan to hunt is a must.

Beaver Boy will give us all a geography lesson with his maps to help us and him if the need arises. Satellites have made the world a smaller place when it comes to communications and there are some amazing ways to get messages out to people no matter how far you are away from civilization.

• A friend of mine asked me if I had a bow he could buy or use the other day. It seems that he was shooting out of a barn or shed loft through a doorway at some target on the ground. Not a bad idea … unless you get too close to the frame of the doorway and the limb of your fully extended bow cracks against it when you release your arrow. Ouch!

• Driving near Harrisville, I saw a father waiting for a school bus with his child. He had a chore lying in his driveway as a nice buck had the misfortune to meet a car that morning.

The fellow was struggling as he tried to “drag the stag” away from his bus stop. I was in a stream of traffic and couldn’t pull over without causing safety issues, but hoped that someone helped the fellow out. Regardless, it’s a reminder that with hunters in the woods and the fall season on us that deer will be on the move, so keep an eye out for them especially on your way to work in the morning!