Well... I think there is something to predicting an early winter via animal hair growth. Horses for example, if it is comming in early some long time horse owners swear it is an accurate indicator. But on how cold or mild the winter is, that is pretty doubtful IMHO.
Remember a few years back we had a cold Sept and early Oct? But it then got warm for a month--waterfowl hunting was a bust as minmal wind and sunny and warm. Who knows, maybe we'll get a repeat. Anyways next weeks forecast by 2 sites is sunny and 60s for S MN.