It appears that any time we think we might need a rain, we get it. We’ve had a few reports of varying amounts from some sectors of the County, but alot of folks have sort of given up trying to keep a total tally as we’ve pretty well become spoiled to getting good rainfall. The gauge on our fence between Lady Z’s & Tony’s “Onliwon-Pecan Place” measured just a tad under 90 points, with Daddy’s being a bit above the .9" level.

Tick Tinney was in town Monday morning as it was raining too much to get around out in the pasture and reported rates of from 3.5" around the Colony and Holland Hill on up to a bit over 5" at the LCRA flood measure station on the Cherokee Creek crossing right around the Chapel between Lively’s and the Gray Ranch. That should have put a lot of water over the Millican Crossing close to the confluence with the Colorado.

I visited with Bubba Barber on

Sat. and he said they could still use all the water they could get down on Buchanan. Whatever the amount, the County as a whole, is in just about as good of condition as we’ve seen for this time of year, in quite some time.

Looks like Dove season for the Fall session is finally over, but

we’ll see no shortage of hunters coming in until after the first of the

year. Deer season has been open most of the month what with hunters getting to take advantage of Archery hunting as well as early harvest on the Managed Land programs. There have been several reports of some nice bucks being taken with large racks and the deer appear to be in excellent body condition. Shaw & yrs. truly have noticed less activity around the supplemental feeders as most of the Oaks shed a bumper crop of acorns this Fall.

The wet cool weather has also encouraged early cool season forages that are high in protein content as well as many of the more desirable browse species have initiated new growth due to the the favorable weather conditions. Hunters traditionally defer harvesting of anterless animals until later in the season, but as most of these animals are taken for the freezer, it might be advisable to go ahead and get your does early while they are in peak carcass condition. We’ve heard reports of some extremely heavy dressed weights of some large bucks taken from the well managed properties.

Hunting season and the Pecan harvest usually spark a lot of activity around our parts this time of year, but there is still time to get some things done before “lay-by” in the yard , garden, and orchard.

There is still a short period of time to get your yard and garden fall fertilization applied prior to first frost. Nitrogen is still the most important element of the mix, but the Fall application does the best job on your turf grass, landscape plants, & fruit & nut trees if you put on a complete. Any analysis

containing all three of the elements N,P, & K will work, but we usually recommend 13-13-13, or the mix that comes close to that according what is available at the local feed & fertilizer outlets. If you need additional information on that it is best to drop by the County Extension office in the Courthouse or visit with your favorite feed store folks.

Now would probably be a good time to bring up a few up-coming dates that we need to keep in mind. Opening weekend of regular hunting season is a bit more than a week off and there are a host of local Hunter appreciation activities associated with that. The Chamber and the San Saba VFD usually have a lot of Hunter Welcome activities around the Square along with Hamrick’s Auto Center hosting their Hunter & Customer appreciation gala around the shop. Many of the local merchants also have special activities for the hunters and other special visitors. The Pecan retail shops are

getting some of the early varieties in stock now, so “new crop” Pecans, as well as all the other condiments will be in supply for the early shoppers. All of this bodes well for our Fair Valley of the Pecan and County commerce.

We can absolutely guarantee that the Mayor & yrs. truly duly appreciate all the help we can get out around———Harkeville!!!!!!!!!