Youth deer hunt a teaching moment: Deer are smart
It doesn't take a PhD in the field of research to be clear as to where the next generation of deer hunting lies in Illinois. As of late morning on Oct. 14, my email and Facebook accounts were already flooded with photos and stories from successful participants in the widely popular firearm youth deer season. The next era of Illinois deer hunting is at hand.
If you are one who depends on solid evidence, the numbers are in. The 2013 youth deer season had a harvest of 2,988 deer, compared to 3,118 last year. Harvest sex ratios consisted of 49% does and 51% males (1468; 1520). Top five counties were Pike (166), Randolph (88), Fulton (85), Adams (83), and Jefferson (79). Locally, there were 35 deer killed in Perry County this year, compared to 22 last year. While the numbers can show how many deer were actually harvested, they cannot accurately reflect the number of young hunters that actively participated in the season.
As for me and 13 year old Luke Zelasko of DuBois, our weekend was full of ups and downs with times of heart racing excitement interrupted by moments of heartbreak. Luke, with the help of his mother and father, was the successful bidder on a guided youth hunt which I had donated to the local St. Bruno school for its benefit. As fortune would have it, this was to be Luke's first opportunity at the Illinois youth deer hunt.
Luke and his dad, James, arrived in camp on Friday night in plenty of time for some shooting to make sure Luke's Mossberg was sighted in and ready for the weekend hunt. After several shots on the mark, we were all satisfied in Luke's, and the Mossberg's, ability. Supper followed and there was no doubt of the mounting excitement inside of Luke.
As breakfast on opening morning arrived, Luke was overflowing with anticipation. Rapidly consuming the bacon and eggs my wife had prepared, Luke was certainly ready to hit the deer woods. As sunrise greeted us, so did steady deer movement and the threat of an approaching thunder shower. Although deer were on the move, none presented for a shot and we were forced from our tree near the 10 o'clock hour due to the storm. After retreating to camp to grab a light lunch and quick rest, we were back in the stand and patiently waiting for the evening deer traffic. Once again, deer activity was steady but light. A young four point buck approached but skirted just wide and far for a shot. Shooting hour had ended and so did our first day.
By the second day, Luke had informed me that he would not be able to hunt on Monday. Now, the pressure was on me. Sunday morning found us once again 15 feet above the ground as sunrise revealed our surroundings.
As 7 a.m. arrived so did our first deer. A young doe stepped out and presented herself for a broadside shot. Luke raised the Mossberg, lined up the doe in the sights and squeezed the trigger. The 60 yard shot proved to be a little much for my young hunter and the slug missed its mark just high of our target. The doe instantly bolted and left us with heartbreak as she ran out of sight.
We retired from our perch shortly after the missed shot, both of us feeling excited and down trodden. We comforted each other by realizing that success, as well as failure, was all part of the hunting experience.
The Sunday afternoon hunt found us changing our strategy. A ground blind placed along an open grassland and adjacent soybean field was set up in hopes that passing deer would funnel closer to my young companion and me. As the sun started sinking in the western sky the deer movement increased dramatically. Several deer were spotted to our north but moving east and west and staying just out of range.
Then, as the legal shooting time neared its end, a large mature doe was seen headed right in our direction. With Luke's eyes fixed on the deer and mine on my watch, the doe, in typical whitetail fashion, presented herself for a perfect 40 yard broadside shot- literally one minute past legal shooting hour. "It's not her first rodeo, is it?" questioned Luke. "They are pretty smart" was the only response I could muster. Another hard lesson learned about life and hunting.
We ended our weekend with a great supper and lots of laughs and stories. Just how a weekend of deer hunting should end and, in the end, we concluded our weekend on a positive note creating a lasting friendship, enduring memories and taking away some valuable hunting and life lessons.
As for Luke and me, the best lesson of all was just appreciating the hunt and hunting experience.
Realizing that deer hunting is not always about successfully harvesting a deer but more about having the opportunity to witness natural beauty and share the experiences with your friends and family and those who may not otherwise have the chance to hunt.
Even though we did not harvest a deer, we consider our weekend a great success.
Another story from southern Illinois revolves around first time youth hunter Konner Harris. Harris, who is ten years old, hunted with his dad, Jeremy Harris, near Du Quoin. Konner received a Mossberg shotgun for Christmas last year and proved to be quite handy with the weapon bagging a beautiful eight pointer on Columbus Day.
Konner reports a well-placed 60 yard shot from a tree stand brought down his trophy. After retrieving the magnificent creature, Konner's excitement was in overdrive and could not be contained. With trembling hands, Konner exclaimed, "Look, I'm shaking like a leaf on a tree!" According to Konner's mom, Kara Dearmond, Konner is still excited three days after his adventure.
With stories like these, there is little doubt that the future of Illinois deer hunting is in good hands. Carry on young hunters, carry on.