I know that this does not happen only here but, If you know anyone or have any family from Upstate New York you know that Deer hunting is like a fever here, an obsession. On opening day of hunting season work places close, kids don’t go to school, towns become quite all because the hunters are out hunting. The restaurants and café’s love it.
Now, I’m originally from California except for the last 18 years or so when I moved out here to be closer to my husband’s family. Seeing vehicles parked on the side of the road and people out carrying shot guns into the woods or vehicles on the road with a deer strapped over the roof is not something I am ever going to get used to. It is a little different now that they have changed the opening day to Saturday.
My husband, being raised here, is an avid hunter. He starts getting ready even before we come home from the camping season in October. He has to have the latest equipment and clothing. He will visit the all the sites he plans to hunt. Set up or check out his tree stands. Then about three weeks before the opening day he gets all his hunting “stuff” out just to spread it out in the living room like a proud peacock and inventory it all. He will nervously check that all needed batteries are replaced and equipment is in good working order, waiting in anticipation for that opening day. This goes on daily until then. When the big day arrives he gets up extra early about three am and he rushes around and packs anything left that needs to be packed up into his truck and leaves to meet his hunting party. Usually about an hour away. My son and I get our coffee and watch the deer in the back yard cross our property to go down to the river. About ten of them. I suppose there is a lesson in this somewhere.
After all the expense and work and anticipation there still is no guarantee that he will bring home the venison.
I’m told, “It’s all about the hunting.” Well, this is all well and good when you get the venison to eat. But, this has not been the case in the last couple of years. It seems to be the trend for most of our friends not just my husband. It does make me and other hunter widows wonder if the cases of beer they are taking with them have some affect on this.
We do hear about a lot of vehicle vs. deer accidents and a lot of deer are spotted all the time. So, it’s not that they are not out there.
Once he does bring home the deer there is still the issue with processing the meat. My husband has done this himself but it takes some preparation and it takes time. The issue of time is what my husband doesn’t have to spare. It was easy before his brother moved away. He had a meat market and processed the deer. Now we have to find someone else to process it for us and this can be kinda costly. Especially if you figure in all the cost of the hunting to begin with. It makes that juicy steak or tenderloin rather expensive. But, it is a part of the lifestyle here in Upstate New York and here at my home, so, my son and I continue to get see our hunter off and get our coffee and go watch the deer cross our property to go down to the river. Are you a hunting widow or know someone that is? Leave us a comment about it.
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