(Submitted by Rick Kratzke,  Whitetail Woods)

You know with deer season around us all and me patiently waiting for my turn to come which happens to be November 18th., shotgun/rifle season. I have been watching quite a few hunting dvd’s and television shows.

I always do that especially this time of year. Getting myself pumped up like I really need a dvd to do that. What I want to mention though is “What Deer season means to me”. I see these shows on TV and DVD and they always seem to put emphasis on the trophy buck and if you want to put meet in the freezer than fill a doe tag.

I’m sorry but, the way I see it is any deer no matter whether it is a 10 pointer, spike buck or even a doe they are all considered trophies to me.

I don’t hunt for the antlers even though I do admit to collecting them. I am just as happy if I shoot a doe. I really don’t understand why bone (antlers) is so important to a lot of people. I think if you sit back and think you will admire the Whitetail Deer for what it really is and not what it grows on their heads every year.

Please, don’t get me wrong I love antlers just as much as the next guy but I also love everything else that is connected to them. The way a whitetail can adapt and overcome almost any adversity in their surrounding. They truly are in my opinion the most majestic big game animal around and should be treated as such.

The way I hunt is 100% wild and 100% fairchase which has been at the front of some discussions But that is not the point I am trying to make. I don’t shoot anymore than what my family can eat in a years time. I do my best to not let any part of that animal go to waste. If I am able to tag an extra deer I donate it to a local soup kitchen.

So, I think you get the idea of what Deer season means to me. We as hunters are always in the lime light if that is what you call it. We unfortunately have to show that we are all not just out for the bone that we do admire and care about the whitetail deer and also care about the environment that they live in.

Just one more thought and that is,

BE SAFE – THINK BEFORE YOU SHOOT – GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT VENTURES OUT THIS DEER SEASON