Looks like we finally got some mornings that give us a bit of a hint

of Fall being right around the corner. Most of the folks that I visit with have been complaining of the summer’s heat for the past couple of months. I really can’t say as I blame them, being that this humble scribe gets weary of the summer months right away.

One of the aspects aiding the advent of cooler weather is getting a good rain every now & then. The Armadillos were probably not too proud of the threatening thunder storm lurking out north of town, this past Friday evening. However, all turned out well for our Golden lads of the pads, turning in a sound performance against the Punchers of Mason, as well as the crowd enjoying a nice afternoon game at Rogan Field, sort of like back in the old days.

A visiting friend from Kerrville asked why they played in the afternoons back then and I had to explain that there were no lighted fields around these parts in those days. All the football faithful is mighty proud of our fighting Armadillos this season, and are hoping for a successful invasion of the Eagle country after they cross the River this coming Friday. They all are well aware that the Eagles can stand pretty tough on their home turf over in “Caliche County”.

If you happened to be around the County or in Town this past

weekend, then you probably noticed a lot of added activity around our fair Valley of the Pecan. It would suffice to say that most of the increase in activity was due to Dove season starting the 1st of September. San Saba has become a lot more popular with a number of the city folks that like to come Dove hunting for several sensible reasons. We’re blessed with much more scenic vistas than either Coleman or Ballinger and even so with Hamilton or Hico. All the aforementioned areas are storied for their good bird hunting. Being blessed with two Rivers, as well as four decent creeks, go a long way toward providing hunting habitat and pretty country. Being located slap-dab in the middle of the State provides easy access and having 4 different geographic regions provide a diversity of landscapes like none other in Texas.

San Saba can also boast of a plentiful population of Dove birds this season, as well. Shaw & yrs. truly have had to subsist on flights of White wings the past several seasons, but we are finding more Mourning Doves around the fields this year.

A lot of the reason is the fact of regular rains during the summer months have resulted in bumper crops of Sunflowers in the leftover grain fields, along with the supposed increase in spring & summer bird hatches. The Texas Parks & Wildlife officials have placed the estimate of the Dove population at somewhere around 40 million birds in the State this year. I’d guess that 15-20% of that population might make their way through San Saba on their southerly migration this season.

The “true” bird hunter is pleased that we have good numbers of Mourning Doves & White

wings, with the added interest in the Eurasian Collared Dove, thrown in the mix. The Collared Dove, termed “Ring-neck” by some, is considered a feral

bird by the Game dept. and can be taken at any time of the year, and does not have to be counted in one’s bag limit. They appear to be a bit larger than the White wing bird, but are actually a feathered allusion, as they are about the same size after you get them de-feathered. They are more closely

related to the Pigeon family than other doves and tend to be a bit tough if they are older birds. Anyhow, it all adds up to a lot of good hunting, which is also extremely fortunate for the merchants and other vendors around San Saba town.

“Teaspoon” Tony Navarra came up from Kerrpatch this past weekend to spend some time over at the “Onliwon-Pecan Place” next door to Lady Z’s, and do a good bit of bird shooting with Will, Shaw, & yrs. truly. We were lucky enough to bag full limits two of the three day hunt, dividing our hunts

between China Creek and Harkeyville.

We fully intended to bait out the throw-lines over the full moon phase, but couldn’t catch enough Perch to bait the nine hooks. We were also “lucky” enough to get the pickup stuck in the mud out at Jr. Goode’s field Sat. morning, as he had measured an even 2 inch rain out at his place.

Will wrapped a batch of the birds one evening with bacon and stuffed each bird with a slice of Jalapeno and Onion. Grilled over Pecan wood and Charcoal & being basted with secret sauce surely

provides a gourmet treat. With any luck at all, I may try to find my ol’ ”Doves, a la Algerita” recipe as Shaw was able to bag at least 8 birds at one hunt this year somewhere out around——————Harkeyville!!!!!