Here is my article that ran in Thursday’s News Journal.
Although I have been hunting hard in four states since Sept. 1, I am using every trick imaginable to squeeze the last minutes out of the 2010-2011 hunting season.
I unsuccessfully pursued Maine black bear in September (I never even caught a glimpse of bear).
I harvested New Jersey woodcocks, snipe, pheasants, and rabbits during November and December.
I filled a Maryland deer tag during their October muzzleloader season.
And I have a nicely packed freezer thanks to two Delaware deer, multiple woodcocks, a rabbit, and a squirrel or two harvested over the last few months.
While I could easily declare my hunting season over, I am just not ready to pack away my gear and accept the long offseason. After all, I have not harvested a single duck or goose; deer season runs through the end of the month; and small game seasons extend into February.
What’s more, I am scheduled to speak and sign books at several game dinners and banquets throughout the state over the next several months, and it’s customary to bring game dishes to these events.
Recognizing that other dinner guests will inevitably cover the well-known table fare of grilled venison steaks, goose chili, and a variety of game stews, I feel it’s incumbent upon me to change things up a bit.
Therefore, I still need some time in the woods, fields, and marshes to procure some select ingredients so that I can satisfy the palates of discerning outdoorsmen.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
The “procuring food for game dinners” angle sounds like a good one, since this year I can’t tell my wife, “I have to keep hunting until I get one.” Likewise, the old “I have to get the dog more work” excuse is played out this year, since my vizsla Gus has put in more hours afield this year than any other. I even contemplated dusting off the tried and true “I have to help a friend get one” excuse, but I realized that one wouldn’t work if I pulled up in the driveway with more game in the truck.
Therefore, it’s now all about procuring food for game dinners.
Like most hunters, I sometimes find it difficult to explain the passion of hunting to non-hunters (which is one of the reasons we hunters invent silly excuses).
Non-hunting family members, friends, co-workers and readers alike question why I continue to pursue game in late season freezing temperatures and snow storms, especially after they know I have already harvested a deer or other game during the course of the season. They just can’t understand how I, or any hunter, can sit or walk for hours in the heart of winter with no guarantee of hunting success.
While it truly is difficult explaining feelings in words, I have given this topic some thought.
The easiest way to explain it is to use other sports, hobbies, or pastimes as a reference.
For example, a true basketball player who wants to be great at her sport, studies, practices and plays basketball every chance she gets — not only because she wants to get better, but, most importantly, because she loves it.
The same logic holds true for artists, singers, poets, inventors, technologists, medical researchers, and countless others who devote themselves to their passions.
Very few of us can focus solely on hunting because family obligations, health, jobs, and the almighty dollar help keep our priorities in order. However, for those of us who are passionate about hunting, we should still embrace the hunting season in its entirety and spend any available time afield (even if that means manufacturing ridiculous excuses).