Let's Chat about...Deer Hunting
What does deer hunting mean to you? It means different things to different folks! For some, it's purely for food, but to others it's much more. Whether for sport or the comradery of getting together with family & friends, it's an exciting time of year!
Some hunters process their own venison and others take it to a local meat market. Some options include Jerky, Venison Sticks, Steak, Tenderloin, Roast, Breakfast Sausage, Ring Bologna or Ground Burger. Many times people like to add pork and additional seasonings to accent the flavor or make it go a little farther.
Deer meat has several benefits and is environmentally friendly. The animals live in their natural habitat, eating natural foods, and are a better alternative to most conventionally sourced meat. It is a great natural source of vitamins and minerals crucial to our bodies. Many of the benefits include:
High Quality Protein Source
Lean Protein Option
Prevents Anemia
Strengthens the Immune System
Promotes Recovery & Muscle Growth
Boosts Brain Function
Environmentally Friendly
Sustainable Resource
As long as venison is responsibly sourced from healthy deer, it is one of the most nutritional and healthy types of meat. If you are interested in learning more or getting some great venison recipes, click on the link below.
Another aspect of deer hunting is the sport of the game. Many work hard throughout the year preparing for this season. This includes planting food plots, monitoring trail cameras, maintaining deer stands and making trails. Some hunters are waiting for the big buck to enter their sites while others are targeting anything that passes by. In our area there are many Big Buck Contests which give out prizes and recognition for the biggest buck shot. My Mother began deer hunting later in life and it became a sport she enjoyed very much. One of her greatest stories was telling how she shot the buck of her dreams; it was even featured in Outdoor Life magazine!
For me, deer hunting means something entirely different. It's the tradition of bringing family and friends together. As a young child, our deer hunting ritual included everyone gathering at Grandma & Grandpa's home. All the aunts, uncles and cousins would be there. It seemed like mostly the men did the hunting and the women congregated in the kitchen cooking, visiting and caring for the children. It was an exciting time and I value the tradition of it. The hunting season generally starts the 1st Saturday in November and runs through the following Sunday. Opening day was always the most important, and everyone was fired up to get out to the stands. While the guys were out posting, the women would be in the kitchen getting together a big breakfast for when the hunters came in. As we would hear shots fired, we were eager with anticipation to find out shot what. After the morning post, we would all enjoy a big breakfast and listen to the stories the hunters had to tell. Our family party hunted, which means they share tags, and it doesn't really matter who gets what, we all share the meat. In the afternoon, the hunters would go out and drive the woods. This got the deer moving and increased the odds. Grandma, along with my Mom & Aunts would be hard at work preparing the evening meal. The adventure would continue when the guys would come in with more stories and eating another bountiful meal. Just before dusk, the hunters would go out for the evening post and the cycle would begin again the next morning. Our family processed the meat ourselves, that was another interesting experience. If I remember correctly, we would all get together the Monday after hunting season was over to cut and package the venison. Everyone got involved and had a role, including the women and children. My job was usually wrapping and labeling the packages. We would fill our freezer with venison, and it was a staple to our meals throughout the winter!
Another angle to consider with deer hunting is population control. The DNR regulates the number of deer harvested each year to control issues such as overpopulation and disease. This emphasizes herd health and habitat. The Plan provides direction to eliminate chronic wasting disease in wild deer, minimize the risk of new disease introductions and enhance habitat quality across the state. A healthy deer herd is a key component of sustaining our hunting heritage. Maintaining high quality deer habitat will help sustain a healthy deer herd and also provide exceptional habitat for a host of other species.
The plan's 8 major goals support a strategic direction that focuses on:
Communication, Information and Public Involvement
Deer Stakeholder Satisfaction
Population Management, Monitoring and Research
Healthy Deer
Healthy Habitat
Impacts of Deer on Other Resources
Deer Management Funding
Continuous Improvement of Deer Management
Each State has its own Rules and Regulations for Hunting. The MN Department of Natural Resources puts out a manual every year for reference. Click on the link below for more information.
So, whether it's for food, sport or comradery we would like to hear from you! Please add a comment below... What's your angle>