Fall is Here

Well, it is finally here. Summer has come and gone and now we move on to a whole new episode in the year. Fall has officially arrived! The days start getting shorter, the shadows get longer, and the leaves start turning to their glorious colors. When we get up in the mornings and step outside, we notice that the air begins to have a slight chill to it. For some people, they begin to start dreading what is about to come; raking up leaves, shoveling snow, wearing layers of clothing, and battling the cold season.

For others, it means something completely different. But what type of people know that all these hassles are on the way and yet look at things in a different aspect?? Who in their right mind would not dread seasons with those types of sufferings upcoming? Hunters. These guys and gals are a completely different breed of people! If they haven’t done so already (as in months ago) they are getting the guns cleaned, making sure the dogs are ready, and searching for new recipes to use after their hunts.

The farmers have begun their duties of the season by beginning soybean harvest. For many hunters, dove season has come and gone and they have moved on to another type of game. Early season goose hunting has begun which can bring tremendous amounts of meat in the freezer. The geese are slowly starting their migration South, which brings out the hunters and their goose hunting skills. These skills include how well their calls sound, how well the decoys are laid out, and how well their blinds are hid in the fields. Archery hunters are checking their trail cams and zeroing in their bows. Meanwhile, pheasant hunters are patiently waiting for their turn out in the fields.

With all of this excitement going on, don’t forget some of the essentials to ensure a safe hunt. Have your vehicles inspected. Make sure that the 4wd works properly so the chances of getting stuck gets minimized. Make sure that the tires are in good shape for traction and also to prevent blowouts. Make sure that the heater works properly. And please make sure that you have tow ropes and jumper cables with you not only for yourself, but also to help others that you may find stranded on some prairie roads with nobody around for miles. Be safe, be smart, and be thankful for what we have in South Dakota. Respect other hunters, respect the landowners, and respect the land!