Get Out!

• Aim for a bull’s-eye at Archery Basics. Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Bois D’Arc. September 10, 6–7:30 p.m. Register at 417-742-4361.
• Cast a line at Family Fishing. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center in Blue Springs. September 12, 9–11:30 a.m. Register at 816-228-3766.
• Explore the Mississippi River at Day on the River. Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. September 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. For more info, call 573-290-5218.
• Learn how deer communicate at Youth Deer Calling Clinic. Jay Henges Shooting Range in High Ridge. October 6, 6–8 p.m. Register at 636-938-9548, ext. 0.
• Throw primitive spears at Beginning Atlatl. August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in St. Charles. October 10, 9 a.m. to noon. Register at 636-441-4554. Ages 11–16 must be accompanied by an adult.

With summer winding down, and fall gearing up, there’s plenty to discover outside. Watch for these natural events around the following dates.

• SEPTEMBER 7 - Monarch butterflies begin migrating in large numbers, sometimes traveling 3,000 miles.
• SEPTEMBER 17 - On hikes, look for puffballs and other fall mushrooms.
• SEPTEMBER 27 - Stay up late to see the total lunar eclipse.
• OCTOBER 5 - Start watching for fall colors.
• OCTOBER 19 - Look for spiders ballooning on clear, windy days.
• OCTOBER 22 - Orionid meteor shower peaks.
• OCTOBER 25 - American wigeon, pintail, and gadwall ducks arrive in large flocks.

What is it?

• I’m a sticky, green giant.
• When I go thump, you might jump.
• Gramps puts me in the corner to keep pests away.
• In French, I’m called bois d’arc.

The softball-sized hedge apples of the Osage orange tree land with a giant thump. When this tree is cut, the stump is a brilliant orange. The wood is extremely hard and heavy and is used for fence posts and furniture. Wood from the Osage orange tree is also considered the world’s finest for crafting traditional archery bows.