It is fairly well evident that we have definitely found Fall around

the Hill Country as demonstrated by ol’ Man Weather the past couple of weeks. We’ve had some extremely nice mornings with the temps. dipping down in the high 30’s, with the mid-afternoon mercury rising up to the 68-72 level,

which Hoyt Browning & Charley Cunningham taught us was the ideal temperature for body comfort.

J. Shaw & yrs. truly have been meandering around the County tending to a few Farm & Ranch oriented chores of late and have happened to see a lot of deer browsing in the pastures , as well as good number of bucks, with a few that just about anybody would want to harvest. A lot of landowners & hunters have been remarking on the bountiful acorn crop this Fall and as to how it has helped the body condition of the deer herd as well as taking some pressure off the supplemental feeders. Most of the small grain fields are sown now and providing good grazing as well as the desirable browse & forbs species emerging early due to the ample moisture and cool mornings. All this points to our deer herd sporting good condition with some excellent antler growth this year.

Deer might be a bit more difficult to hunt this season due to the flush foliage combined with the fact of the animals not having to hustle for groceries. You might want to go ahead & collect your venison for the freezer before you shoot the prize Buck, as the does are really fat right now. I’d imagine that the Fall Gobblers might weigh in somewhat heavier as well, due to the bumper crop of acorns that are on the ground as well as a lot of the Native Pecans are falling now, too.

If you are in Town this weekend, you should notice a whole host of activities for the Welcome Hunter weekend. Not having the printed schedule of activities, this schedule is sort of put-together of what I’ve gleaned off the Chamber board at the Courthouse and history of past seasons. I hear the Chamber is hosting a Hunter Welcome function at the Super S parking lot on Friday and the Volunteer Fire Dept. usually has some sort of Hunter Appreciation dinner or supper around the Square.

This being the 1st weekend of the month, you should be able to browse around the Square on Sat. during the day among all the different peddlers and vendors exhibiting all their various wares and food items. Any time from a bit before Noon ‘til about 2:00 p.m. should be prime time for some eats, drinks, good music and visiting around Hamrick’s Auto Shop between Stafford’s and Alamo Pecan. If you happen to be around the Square on Fri. or Sat., you might want to make your way across the street to the Library and tend to you cultural side at

the Art Show & Exhibit.

We can all guarantee that any shop in Town, whether it be for gifts, groceries, gas, Pecans, or eats will be more than happy to welcome and wait on you. If you need a list or direction on all these, peruse the pages of the Hunter’s Guide of the “News” and there will be a complete listing of

advertisements on Merchants there for the visiting. In addition to the ads, you will be able to enjoy some good articles on Wildlife biology by our local Expert, Macy Ledbetter, a good layout of pictures, some useful recipes, and usually an up-date of Hunting Laws and Regs. Courtesy of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. Hopefully, you will be familiar with the Laws

and abide by them lest you require further edification regarding such-said rules by our local Wardens, Wilson & Reeves.

Whatever you choose to participate in, be sure to have a good time, be safe, and have an enjoyable visit in our Fair Valley of the Pecan. It is most assured that the Mayor & yrs. truly will be looking out for you out around—————Harkeville!!!!!!!!!!!!