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There was so much opposition to changing of the opening day of deer season from the Monday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday after that most hunters knew the issue would rear its head again.
And so it has!
Most decisions about opening days, bag limits etc. are made by wildlife professionals who have the good of the wildlife at heart. This issue, however cannot be determined by the wildlife. After all, if they could talk or vote, they would go for no opening day at all, obviously. So what are the problems for hunters?
For starters, some people just don't like change for any reason and so are against any kind of change. They won't buy a new car until the old one blows up. So it really all boils down to personal opinion about the matter -- what is most convenient for them. Work schedules -- and trying to wrangle as many days off work to hunt deer -- is a huge problem for many workers and students.
I understand the inconvenience of leaving for deer camp right after Thanksgiving dinner. It just doesn't give enough time for hunters to do a bit of scouting in the woods for the best place to put up a tree stand, or to just walk around and look for deer signs, like rubs, scrapes, droppings, tracks trails in and out of the woods.
Then comes the family Thanksgiving dinner. The hunter wants to get it over- with and get on the road. The non-hunters at the meal, who may have traveled many miles to see relatives, simply don't understand what the big deal is all about with deer hunting. The hunting spirit that grabs those who turn out to be big addicts to the pursuit cannot be changed as a rule. I know because I am one of them. I refuse all invitations to Thanksgiving dinners. I have to get on the road. The feeling is so similar to that of a child on Christmas Eve.
Next comes those who have small businesses, who cater to hunters who forgot to bring something, or waited until now to purchase the shells he or she needs, or just wants to enjoy the company of other hunters along the way at their favorite diner. Many hunters leave the chore of sighting in of the rifle until the last minute. There is an old target put up at camp so they do the job there.
That actually happened to me this year. My son, who died last summer, had given me a new rifle in Christmas of 2021 before so when I went to my camp, lo and behold, the clip for my new gun was nowhere to be found. Had I forgotten to pack it?
I emptied my suitcases, scoured my car but it was not there. So my buddy, Joanie, her brother, Curt, and I set out on a hunt to find a clip for that gun. We traveled a lot of miles and finally, on that Friday before opening day, we found one! My response was "Hallelujah!" When hunting was over and I came home, I found the original clip. Now I have two clips.
The store where I found the clip was as busy as the proverbial beehive can be. Hunters always need last-minute things.
The store owner rejoices over this situation.
So how will this testy question be settled?
We hear that State Representative Brian Smith expects to file legislation to amend Title 34 and return the opening day of season to the Monday opener. Is this going to be the answer?
One thing is for sure, this question cannot be solved with biological or scientific research. It will be a matter of whose opinion wins out. Perhaps a vote by hunters will win the day.