Deer Hunting

Deer hunting probably began during the Middle Ages. Finding the exact year, would be impossible to pen point, not due to lack of deer to hunt, but lack of man’s ability to kill one of these large animals with the primitive weapons available to them. For thousands of years deer hunting has been popular all over the world wherever forests exist, first as meat for the dinner table, and then it gradually evolved into a popular sport in some societies.

In the beginning deer hunting required no restrictions, but as herds were disappearing in some continents, territories, states and counties, they began requiring hunting licenses along with special deer permits in order to hunt these nimble, graceful, four legged animals. These restrictions grated on the independence of the hunter who needed to put meat on his table year round especially when he became aware that sports hunters were killing large numbers of these animals not for food but simply for the sport of killing. Some sportsmen, finding the wild taste to the meat not to their liking, let the meat go to waste. Today sport hunting a deer or elk often costs a great deal more per pound than hamburger costs at the grocery store.

Before North American colonists arrived on our shores, the aristocratic ruling class of England began to restrict hunting of the red deer in order to preserve this sport for the Kings court as well as selected noblemen. Famous historical tales of the daring adventures of Robin Hood reveals that this brave marksman and his band of raiders rebelled against this unfair practice, as they hunted on restricted land, killing large game to give to the poor. This was around 1157 A.D.

When settlers coming out of that restrictive society first migrated to North America, they were delighted to enjoy the freedom to hunt on any land without restriction whether they owned it or not. The Plymouth Pilgrims prayed, giving thanks over plates of freshly killed venison on that first Thanksgiving Day in the land of the free. Blasts from their muskets that killed deer and other animals was the only way to prevent starvation. Of course it was not long until fences on farms and ranches prohibited hunting on private land, creating tension between the native Indian tribes. As big game began to diminish and become scarce in some over hunted and over populated areas, the native Indians: Ojibway, Shawnee, Seminole, Creek, Santee and Tuscarora, all strongly opposed the white man’s killing of what they believed to be there rightful hunting grounds. Long after the native Indians were herded off onto Indian reservations, it took years for law enforcement to really bear down on hunting restrictions.

Most hunting laws today protect the rights of all hunters by preventing possible extinction of certain species through over kill in specific areas. In recent years, conservationists actively watch, replenish and control the species in order to preserve hunting for generations to come.

If you are a hunter and deer meat does not tempt your palate, you may wish to find a homeless shelter or some other organization where you can donate the meat you kill. There are excellent recipes on the Internet for all types of wild game meat that make it into a gourmet meal. You just have to find the right recipe for your own taste buds.

Deer hunting with a buddy while hunting with bows and arrows or a gun, not only increases camaraderie in the evening while sitting around the campfire, it can increase your success in bagging one these big guys. One of you can decoy or call the game into sight, while the other person can be ready to pull the trigger. Deer are notorious for staying just out of range, making it essential to be able to judge distance. There are many tips from other hunters on the Internet that can improve your hunting skills.