Deer Hunting

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Well tomorrow is the first day of deer gun season here in Ohio. My husband is so excited he will probably not sleep tonight. Many years he doesn't even shoot anything. He just really loves being out in the woods, and the excitement of looking for a big deer.

I personally would rather walk on hot coals! But he likes it a lot. I went bow-hunting with him once, and after sitting in one spot for two hours with him glaring at me if I breathed hard, I thought I had enough of this hobby!!! To each his own though and I hope he gets a big one, we love that deer jerky!!

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), November 25, 2001

Answers

My husband was a born hunter. When he was growing up,it was rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, skunks, etc. Now it is deer. He did hunt elk for several years, but is no longer able to do the mountains with thin air. Illinois has a split season (shotgun) for deer. Two weeks ago it was for 3 days, this week it is Thursday through Sunday. He has a cabin in far southern Illinois so most years he gets his permit for Pope County. Last season he didn't see a deer. He has killed so many that he will shoot only if it is trophy. Our 18 yr. old grand- daughter hunted from the corner of our woods (I could see her from the back porch) and got a 10 point, almost 200 lb. buck. I went deer hunting once, 40+ years ago. Not my idea of fun. I don't object to any one else hunting, but I much prefer my recliner and a nice thick book!

-- gibson girl (bobtravous@email.com), November 25, 2001.

My husband used to hunt with his uncle. He loves to hunt but doesn't have the time this year. My son is chomping at the proverbial bit to take the hunter's safety course. There are 2 hunting camps down the road from us. Every time they hear a gun go off they get this glazed look.

-- Jo (mamamia2kids@msn.com), November 26, 2001.

One of the first questions I had for DH was "Do you hunt?". I had been married to an avid hunter and I had had enough with seeing dead animals. No, this DH doesn't even like to put down a sick wild critter and I like that. The deer population here is large and I understand that it has to be thinned. I'm just glad I don't have to deal with it. I'm also thankful that he doesn't bring a weeks worth of dirty clothing from a deer camp for me to wash. (And ex-DH still hasn't figured ot why I divorced him!)

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

My dad's brothers are all avid hunters; my grandfather was, as well. I still haven't figured out why/how my dad stayed away from that. He did go hunting one time and got a deer when we lived in Maine. He gave me a piece of the hide to make a bookmark with, and I would have treasured it, except that it disappeared out of our barn while it was on the stretcher. I was SO disappointed! Still can't figure who or what would have taken it.

My boys want to learn to hunt, but I want them to get a little older first. I want them to learn to handle a rifle, in case there comes a time when they NEED this skill. Tom does not hunt, so I guess we'll have to get someone else to train them.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), November 26, 2001.


When I am on stand, the peace allows me to really take a good look at how my life is going, and what I want to change for the better. My brother took a young meat buck in early November and gave me most of the meat (he doesn't care for the taste - more for me; I love deer meat), so I am waiting for the rut to start and allow the Muy Grandes to come out and play. They usually beat me year after year, but I am patient.

I love hunting, but hate actually killing a beautiful animal, but make sure that nothing goes to waste. I always apologize to the deer for taking its life, but explain that my family and I need the meat. Sounds kind of hokey, but I really feel better doing this.

My family eats a lot of venison; we probably spend less than $50 dollars on beef a year. We depend and prefer it most of the time.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), November 26, 2001.



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