OUTDOORS: Hunters must know their target | Sports

With deer archery season just a week away in Illinois, everyone should know that there will be hunters in the woods across the state. It is extremely important that hunters know their target before they release their arrow.

Illinois is a highly populated state and there are many other people who use the same forests as hunters. Everyone should be aware of their surroundings and be courteous to others using the same area.

With cooler weather settling in this past weekend, hunters and area residents should be aware that this is the time for deer hemorrhagic disease to rear its ugly head.

Hemorrhagic disease, also called bluetongue disease, affects deer in the fall. The disease, caused by a tiny biting mosquito. Once bitten and affected, the deer appears to be weak, lethargic and disoriented. Most of the time they are extremely thirsty and head towards the water. Many deer that die from this disease are found around water sources.

Hemorrhagic disease is not transmitted from deer to deer or from deer to human, and the mosquito does not transmit the disease to humans.

Dead deer should be reported to local authorities or IDNR staff. This allows authorities to monitor the disease.

I have written several articles about the black squirrels seen in Danville. For some reason I’ve seen quite a few of these weird looking squirrels lately and I just enjoy watching them.

At this time of year, the squirrels are doing what they were put on earth to do; propagate trees by transporting and burying their seeds (nuts).

Squirrels work hard all day picking up nuts and burying them everywhere. Unfortunately for them, they cross paths to do so and generally don’t pay attention to traffic. This means that it is up to us to pay more attention to avoid hitting them when they cross.

It would be nice if people just slowed down and enjoyed watching the squirrels instead of being in such a rush and running them over.

A Lake Vermilion Bass Qualifying Tournament was held last Saturday and the first and second place winners weighed in ropes of smallmouth bass. These smallmouth bass appear in the fall when they leave the river for the northern part of the lake.

The pelicans are back on Lake Vermilion, so keep your eyes peeled as you cruise the lake or while boating on the lake.