Bow hunters and bear hunters know the magic of sundown in the autumn woods.

The Upper Peninsula’s fall time woodlands take on an enchanted look. Crimson maples leaves float, milkweed pollen flies, frosted ferns rattle and acorns “kerplunk” down.

October nights are filled with curious eyes.

The elusive whitetails are not so elusive on the roadways in the central U.P. right now. Slow down. The rut — mating season — is just beginning for them.

Karen Rose Wils

The raccoons, coyotes, woodcock and skunks all show “eyes” in our headlights.

October nights can be much better than November nights, which can be much wetter, colder and snowier. So you must find something Yooperishly fun to do on October nights.

If you don’t bow hunt, try stargazing. The night sky offers some pretty amazing lights, including the aurora borealis (northern lights) in October.

If you want a real treat, you can get a close-up look at the planets and stars by borrowing the high-powered telescope from the Escanaba Public Library. For information, call 906-789-7323.

Owling is a popular sport that gets folks outside into the crisp autumn nights.

All you need for owling is a favorite comfy, wool jacket, binoculars, camera and a good pair of ears.

Michigan has more than 11 kinds of owls that thrive here, each with a very distinct call and niche where they stay.

With our human, ears we can hear the ever-popular barred owl, whose call sounds like “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you?”

This big, beautiful round headed, dark eyed owl lives in the forest and swamps. Take a walk at dusk and you might be lucky enough to get a photo of him.

The great horned owl also stalks the October night like a flying mouse trap. This owl has the feathered eat tufts that stick up on his head. He is often called the Halloween owl.

Some owls are tiny, like the screech owl that is barely 10 inches tall. Often found in the cavity of a tree, a screech owl will be say “who, who” at you but will let out a bloodcurdling “screech!!”

If nothing else, October nights are good for hand-in-hand walks. The quiet contentment goes a long way.