Every deer camp has individuals with a special uniqueness that, when blended like spices and seasonings in a recipe, make the deer camp the special place it is.
Our deer camp had Dean. A bundle of energy and wisecracks who was afraid of a little mouse. His mouse phobia brought the rest of us camp characters much laughter.
I have never seen anyone move as fast as he did when someone put a mouse in his sleeping bag.
Dean was always in constant movement. He was a fun-loving guy, but he was serious about his deer hunting.
There was another side to Dean. He would bring his young son, Conrad, to deer camp and share the moments of the hunt with him. He wiped tears from his eyes when Conrad got his first deer.
Jerry was a member of a pro-hunting team and had hunted and fished around the world. He would tell you that being in deer camp with the rest of us characters, along with son Flint and daughter Chase, was one of his favorite places to be.
Deer camp would not have been the same without J.B. Through his wisecracks and jokes in his Wisconsin accent, he did not fool me. He had a heart of gold. He was who he was.
Ed was a newcomer to hunting, but quickly gained knowledge and experience. As a business executive, he looked forward to deer camp.
Time in the woods is what Ed wanted. He delighted in the hunting success of the kids who were there.
I will never forget my son’s face when Ed gave him one of his very expensive bows. Like some of the other characters, Ed was an old softy.
Mike was the newest member of our deer camp. He added his own uniqueness to the mix. He was serious about his hunting and had the knowledge to back it up.
My son Daron was also one of our deer camp characters. Without deer camp, he would never have had the chance to take the quality bucks that now hang on his walls.
He enjoyed being around everyone at deer camp. They thought the world of him. Deer camp brought us closer as father and son.
I was the old man of deer camp. Most years, I would tag out as early as possible, so I could use my ATV to help others retrieve their deer out of the woods.
It was important to me to be with the rest of the deer camp characters.
Deer camps are not just about filling your deer tags. They are about a fox, a coyote, or a bobcat happening by your secret hiding place.
They are about two fawns playing chase underneath your treestand, squirrels rustling in the leaves sounding a lot like a deer, birds fluttering through the tree tops, magnificent sunrises, and sunsets.
They are about sitting around the campfire or the old wood stove and telling stories and jokes.
Most of all, they are about sharing this special moment in time with your fellow deer camp characters.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.” — Fred BearÂ
(Bill Hoagland can be reached at billhoagland70@yahoo.com.)
