Deer, goose, duck, and turkey. There are so many delicious animals we eat, especially at the holidays. There is one problem: they aren’t just going to walk into the oven. You got to get up at the crack of dawn just to drive to the location, AND THEN you have walk who knows how many feet to a tree stand just to text all day until something walks by.
Deer firearm season opened on the 30th of November. The season is a very short season, lasting only from November 30th through December 14th, with the exception of the weekend of January 10th.
Maryland doesn’t have a “rifle season” because not all counties allow rifles; instead it is called firearm season. “I hunt with both bows and firearms, but never a rifle! I am primarily a shotgun guy,” said Daniel Chauvin, an avid hunter.
Hunting provides many benefits. “I appreciate every type of legal hunting; including archery, muzzleloader and firearm. I enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends that goes along with hunting. I enjoy using hunting to promote an interest in wildlife habitats and instill conservation ethics. I enjoy being out and being a part of nature, and appreciate all the beauty it offers.” said Patricia Handy the DNR information and education program manager for Maryland.
“I missed the shot on my buck the first time, so I took a second shot as he came running at me,” said Cleveland Hall, a junior who hunts almost every weekend during the firearm season. He shot a buck on November 30th. “I try to go hunting as much as possible because the season is so short.”
Most hunters value and show off their gear, whether it be a bow or gun. “I love my Mathews Monster Safari. It was about $2,200, but, hey it came with a free hat!” said Christopher Baye who is an avid hunter and the Executive chef at Asbury Methodist Village retirement home.
“Venison stew, turkey pot pies, roast goose, roast duck. Just the other day I enjoyed venison, onions and peppers over mashed potatoes. It was to die for!” said Chauvin. After killing, skinning, gutting, and cutting the game, there’s a reward. Hunters can prepare a delicious meal that the whole family can eat.
Llocal processor is Clint’s Cuts in Mount Airy, charge $85 for general proccesing and they ask for the hunter to immediately field dress the deer, and keep it in a cooler before bringing it to Clint’s to ensure fresh meat. They are located right off of I70 on Bartholows Road.
