I have been thinking a lot about all the excitement around town with the opening of the gun portion of deer season.  It has been at least 40 years since I was here during deer season, and I had forgotten how “jacked up” everyone is. It is literally the talk of the town!

When I was young, as I remember it, the church changed its mass schedule from 6:00 AM Sunday morning to 5:00 AM to accommodate the hunters. This deer season, our 7:00 AM Sunday mass moved to Saturday night at 7:00 PM and I’ll bet St. George was crowded during that time. Sunday after church, we drove out to Purdy’s in Stoney Hill for “the dinner” (lunch) special. They had a nice crowd, with many tables filled with customers in hunter orange clothing.

When I hunted, we used to hunt all along the Frene Creek Road area. My Uncle Orville loved to hunt and brother David and I were blessed to be included in his unofficial hunting club. Some years we harvested several deer and other years hardly any. No matter the outcome, I looked forward to deer hunting every year and even scheduled my vacations around deer season. That group of guys were special and the memories of deer hunting with them were some of the best memories I have ever had.

On the first day of the season, we would arrive before daylight and go to our assigned stands and still hunt until mid-morning. Around 11ish we would come off the stands and head to the “house” for coffee, a little wine, and the warmth of the fire coming from the pot belly stove. Sharing stories, past failures and successes, listening to the life sessions of those who came before us, have been a well cherished memory all these years later.

In the afternoon, the standers would walk into the woods at the far end of the property and set up for the drive coming their way. After about 30 minutes, the drivers would head up to the other end of the property and begin the noisy walk towards them. Each hunter knew where each person was supposed to be, thus it was very safe and shooting zones were established.

As a stander, you would listen in anticipation for that first leaf crunch, the crack of a twig or the first sign the drive would be successful. I would be on high alert with my trusty 12-gauge double barrel shotgun at the ready. You would see fox, squirrel, turkey, coyotes all around you, going about their lives, never realizing you were there. Whether you were successful or not, the crispness of the air, the sounds of the forest, the beauty of your surroundings, there was no better place to be, at that moment in time.

As a driver, you would get into position, stay in a line and start the drive by shouting AAY-OH! You would take downed limbs and beat them against trees, generally making as much noise as possible to get the deer out of their beds and on the move.  The noise also alerted the standers that you were on your way, and where you were.  When a shot rang out, you were on high alert. Almost without exception the first shot of the season was by the same guy. When asked what it was? He would say: “Inspiration shot.” It served its purpose, you were inspired the was hunt was finally on!

Deer season for hunters is like Christmas morning for kids. There is nothing like it, and what is cool about gun season is you have 10 days of Christmas morning! Nothing beats that.

If you have never been deer hunting, you’re missing one of the greatest life lessons ever. If you are a hunter, I hope your hunt is successful, and memories you make stay with you too. See you next month.