Farmers, hunters and deer, oh my!
The first firearm deer hunting season opens Friday for 3 days. It’s usually a time when most Sauk Valley farmers have long since completed their harvest work.
But this year, with nearly half the corn harvest yet to be finished, farmers will still be working in remote rural fields normally populated this time of year by only hunters and their quarry.
We have every confidence that hunters will be extremely careful with their aim as they try to bring in a significant harvest of their own – a deer harvest.
By taking thousands of whitetails, hunters keep the ecosystem in balance and reduce the likelihood of car-deer crashes for everyone else.
Still, it’s slightly disconcerting to know that some farmers, truck and tractor drivers, and spouses bringing meals to the fields will be sharing the great outdoors with hunters perched in nearby tree stands.
A couple of suggestions are in order.
1) Harvest workers might want to trade their green, red and blue implement dealer caps for hunter’s orange.
2) Farmers should make sure their combines are properly greased and oiled. No sense making unnecessary noise and scaring off the game.
Good luck to Sauk Valley’s farmers and hunters this weekend as they both pursue important harvests.
