It is that magical time of year for outdoor recreationalists because there are so many different options of what to do.

Archery hunters are on high alert as the first signs of the rut are showing up, the second split of duck season begins this Saturday, and upland bird season has been open for a few weeks.

With so much to choose from, how can you decide what to do with your limited time off? Use the weather to help you decide.

If rain is in the forecast, consider skipping an archery hunt and hitting the swamp for some duck hunting. Rainy days are often called ducky days.

The churning of the water from the rain mixes up invertebrates and plant seeds in the water and makes them easier for the ducks to feed on. Rain also hides camouflaged hunters better by limiting the ducks’ visibility. A spinning-wing decoy will get incoming ducks to try landing with it, so put this where you want to be shooting and leave a little pocket around it.

A lot of cornfields have been harvested along the rivers, so you might spot mallards flying up and down the river going to feed on corn that missed the silage truck.

If it is supposed to be warm and dry, an upland bird hunt can be a great way to enjoy an autumn day. The DEC stocks pheasants on some pieces of state land, so put on your blaze orange and head out with some buddies, your hunting dog or both. Work into the wind with your dog so they can get the scent of any birds. If hunting without a dog, walk in a line with the hunters spaced apart so birds can’t run through between them. Just be mindful that archery season is open, so make sure you are following proper safe handling of your firearms and are careful of your shooting directions.

If a cold front comes in, it may be best to sit in a tree stand or ground blind. Cold overnight temperatures can lead to deer feeding longer into the morning before heading to bedding areas. As they head to their bedding areas, the sun is up and you can get a shot. As the day length gets shorter, bucks will start to use scrapes and rubs to mark their territory as the rut approaches.

Rattling can be a good technique as the bucks are establishing territories, and the sound of fighting bucks can draw other bucks in to get in on the action. The first does are starting to come into estrus, and the bucks are starting to cruise to try to find the first receptive doe of the year. Firearms deer season has begun in the Northern Zone, so if you aren’t an archery hunter, you can make a moderate drive and can be gun hunting for an elusive Adirondack buck.

Do not be afraid to double-dip or mix and match your days. Duck hunt in the morning and then bow hunt in the afternoon, or bow hunt in the morning and then hit the pheasant field after lunch. With so many options available, there’s no excuse to stay at home!