The seasons are changing and soon hunters will be out in the fields of Saskatchewan on the hunt for deer, elk, and more.
Outdoors associations are also getting ready, giving guidance to hunters and setting them up for a successful season.
Craig Bird, the vice president of the Estevan Wildlife Federation, talks about some of the preparations being done for the hunting season.
"We're just gearing up for hunting season, those will be starting fairly soon. The ranges are open of course year round. So we'll be starting to get people in to sight in their firearms for hunting season and we also rent out the range to different law enforcement organizations to do their training as well."
"We've got a bunch of things going on this year for that and then we'll be also gearing up for our fundraiser and that sort of thing in the spring. So there's always something."
Bird says that while the wildlife does seem to be in the fields some other circumstances might curtail this season.
"Lots of wildlife out there this year, it will be interesting to see how many hunters go out. Unfortunately, seeing a little bit of a decline in hunting with regards to a lot of things because of the Provincial Trespass Act for farmers, and then some other firearms regulations. People aren't fully aware of how those work, so there's always been misinformation going on around there and that sort of thing."
While a full forecast for the fall isn't available yet Environment Canada predicts a neutral system to stay overhead bringing average weather, which Bird says would be a good thing.
"Hunters generally like to have a little bit of snow on the ground that just makes tracking animals a little bit easier. But again, if we get far too much snow and extremely cold weather conditions that is not really that good for the wildlife season. They have to forage and look for more food than normal. Unfortunately, a lot of them don't survive extremely cold weather and food is buried under lots of snow."
Bird says that personally he's looking forward to the season and getting out into the Saskatchewan wilderness.
"You always look look forward to it, it's a nice time of year. It's kind of like a little bit of a holiday for me because you get to go out and enjoy nature and do something that you like. So like you say, a little mini holiday."
Bird reminds people that they can sign up to be a member of the Estevan Wildlife Federation either by going to Signal Direct Communications in Estevan or by signing up online.