Another Deer Season in the Books - From My Window

As I write this, it is Sunday afternoon, and in just a few hours the 2022 Wisconsin gun hunt will be over.  I am glad the deer will slowly be able to relax and return to their normal activities over the next few weeks.  Animal lover that I am, it is unavoidable that I feel compassion for the deer.  Due to plenty of trail cam pictures, I have gotten to know our regular deer visitors as individuals.  So when my son texted a photo of the buck he killed, I was relieved it was not “one I know.”  The spectacular 11 point on the trail camera may still be out there somewhere; and “tall spike,” the absurdly lofty spike horn we’ve watched for months may have escaped to be quite impressive next fall.
Deer hunting camp has become a treasured custom at our home.  Yes, there is actual hunting.  But there is also a ridiculous amount of eating, laughing, crafts, game playing, and bonding – because in many families and groups of friends, deer hunting is a time of “retreat,” a time of togetherness.  It is a rare to have our Oklahoma kids and our Seattle kids here at the same time. The antics of the five years old going on fifteen granddaughter, and the barely one year old grandson that we call, for good reason, the “Danger Ranger” had all of us laughing.  Watching the five year old decorate Christmas cutouts, with a half inch of sprinkles on top her cookies, is a classic treat.  (I will be vacuuming up sprinkles and glitter for weeks.)
When the last visitors departed after eight days, I collapsed from exhaustion, but I am already hoping that circumstances will allow us to gather again next year.  Life is complicated; we can never count on being able to celebrate deer camp together, and I know and appreciate we were very blessed this year.
I was surprised to see DNR registered totals for the first weekend – higher than last year, but lower than I expected.  I really thought some of the “generally unenthused about hunting” people might be more likely to hunt this year, given the price of meat.  Not everyone likes venison but I’ve come to love it – lean and healthy, no antibiotics or other medications used in some livestock.  We have located the ultimate “venison chili” recipe and it’s better than any other chili I’ve ever had anywhere.  (Secret ingredients:  orange juice and cinnamon….)  
This year was also highlighted by my son-in-law’s first deer.  He does not come from a hunting tradition, but has taken to it with enthusiasm that has surprised me.  (He “married into” hunting.)  Last year he passed up a questionable shot, a gesture I admire; and this year he had a single shell kill.  The support staff in the house heard the shot and the suspense was high as the non-hunters awaited a report-in.  Congratulations and celebrations ensued.  My Seattle kids flew home with a cooler of frozen venison to enjoy over the winter.  (And a bunch of cheese, of course.  My daughter said if their jet was forced down in the wilderness they’d be well-prepared to survive.)
Saturday evening there was a sweet moment just as the sun set.  We looked out the house window and saw a herd of eight deer in the field between our closest neighbor and us.  They had one more day of hunting to survive; their presence was the reassurance that there will be deer in the woods again next year, as (hopefully) Martin camp opens for the season.  The deer were beautiful, and the woods remained silent and peaceful as they fed.
Now starts the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas.  I’m pretty far behind in my normal preparations; I am at peace with that.  Thanksgiving and deer camp remind me that the most important things are family, friends and gratitude; less baking, less decorating and less shopping is okay.
You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address:  JanieTMartin@gmail.com