Overview:
Deer hunter Mike Roche reflects on his experiences and changing strategies over time, from prioritizing cardio exercise to relying on trail cameras for intelligence on deer movements. He shares his love for the camaraderie and memories made during hunting, regardless of the results. Roche also praises the new deer pole at the MassWildlife Deer Check Station, which allows hunters to weigh their deer and provide data for analysis of the Massachusetts deer herd.
Every deer hunter has different goals and objectives, with the logical one being able to bag a whitetail deer. Each hunter also has his own process of preparation and practice.
It seems to me that most hunters change those processes and preparations over time. When asked the inevitable questions about deer hunting, my most common reply is that at this time what is desired is a small deer and a short drag.
In truth, the places which are chosen by me to “stand,” that is wait quietly for a deer to pass, are selected after considering the distance to the road or vehicle. Some years ago, during my first year hunting after heart bypass surgery, stands were chosen which would be physically challenging and would include a long (15 minutes or more) brisk walk back at the end of the day’s hunt. That exertion was cardio exercise and today’s hunt reminded me of those walks.
Wednesday, the November full moon, named the Beaver Moon, was already shining brightly when this deer hunter stood up from sitting a few minutes before the end of legal shooting to walk out of the woods. Legal shooting time is one half-hour after sunset and that was 5:17 p.m. that day.
That bright Beaver Moon was already glowing just above the tree line, and it brought back memories of those 20-plus-minute walks down the cart road years ago when the exertion and exercise for the heart was what was most important. Had a deer presented a shot, it would be interesting to see what would have ensued. A few hunting friends and relatives had expressed to me that they were only a cell phone call away. That was never needed.
That walk also got me thinking about this season, which did not begin well when my Monday’s start was delayed by a physical condition which fortunately was short-lived. This did delay joining the “crew,” and by then Steve Johnson already had a nice buck on the ground.
Upon joining a “push” [when hunters walk with the plan that they will move deer towards others in their party] two of us walking at the end moved three deer that ran past one of the “standers,” but the cover and the amount of time in view did not allow a shot. After a great lunch of pheasant stew [Thanks Katie!] the afternoon did not result in any sightings, but the group gathered afterwards for some banter and the camaraderie that makes every day of hunting enjoyable, regardless of the results.
That thinking was really the first time that my mind has focused on strategy. Back in the days when bow hunting – often in both Vermont and Massachusetts – was a priority, each day of deer hunting got you prepared and improved what some refer to as woodsmanship. With upland bird hunting my priority, my focus is just now shifting. The snow will provide evidence of deer movement, but many of today’s deer hunters rely on trail cameras to gather “intelligence” on deer movements. Camera images or videos are time-stamped.
The new high-end game cameras are high-tech devices which can send images instantly to your cell phone. That has gotten the attention of many, and New Hampshire has a statute that prohibits hunting a deer for 24 hours after you view it on a trail cam.
My mind is stuck in a different time and reading tracks in the ground or snow is my style. Then, you try to make an intelligent guess as to what trail might be used and when. Undisturbed, whitetail deer are nocturnal, feed at night and lay around and chew their cud during the day. Rutting season, which is tapering off right now, changes the game a bit as bucks are moving most of the time in search of does in estrus that are receptive to breeding.
The reality for me is that sitting at dawn’s break or at the end of daylight is my favorite hunt, and when deer show up where you put yourself, it is pretty cool. The other stuff, like the turkeys who entertained me by providing regular wingbeats just out of sight as they flew up to roost, are the memories that are what this hunter enjoys, because you really never know what you will see or hear as you spend time hunting.
Reviews of the new deer pole erected for use by the biologist at the MassWildlife Deer Check Station at the Orange Gun Club are all “thumbs up.” Hunters can back up to the pole, and their deer is hoisted up to get an official weight and then lowered back. Very slick! That biological deer station was open this first week of shotgun season when all deer had to be brought in to be weighed and where other data like age could be determined.
Some check stations, particularly those at MassWildlife installations, will remain open to do check-ins, but hunters can check deer in online. The collected information provided during the one week is a more than sufficient sample to provide data to be used in analyzing the health and population of the Massachusetts deer herd, particularly when used with other available data sources. Now the big question is whether my efforts will provide data or memories. Stay tuned.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.