Each year when I return from Lewis County, W.Va., and the deer firearms season it is the day before Thanksgiving. I usually head home about midday so it is plenty light enough to see. And, what I usually see are any number of deer, both bucks and does, getting rides in the backs of pickup trucks and headed for butcher shops in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and various other places.
This year, driving the 120 miles of interstate highway from Weston to LaVale, I didn’t see one vehicle with a deer in it.
Accuracy
I plan to do some more bowhunting, especially in Maryland where the season runs through January, but my 90-yard pin is hitting a little high. Any suggestions?
Checking in
After experiencing a few years of Maryland’s check-in system whereby hunters use the computer or the telephone to report their success, I find it a bit cumbersome in West Virginia where I have to physically take the deer to a gas station or a grocery store. The person never looks at the deer anyway.
And, in Weston, you better get to Stout’s Bait Shop before the owner/lady decides it’s time to lock the door or you will be looking for another spot.
On the other hand, had I not been able to check in a couple bucks at Stout’s this year, I wouldn’t have learned about her truck-driving son-in-law and other aspects of her life. You don’t get that on a computer or telephone.
Research
Someone should do a study explaining why the deer hunting hills get steeper with the passage of time. I thought that erosion took eons.
How old?
We have youth hunts when we set aside one day when only people below a certain age can whack a deer. Why not allow hunters above a certain age to go out that day too. How old? I dunno. Maybe anybody above 80. Just thinking that it would be pretty neat if grandpap and grandson could both score. The guy who is the generation in between could do the dragging.
More syrup, please
Question: Does anybody make better pancakes than Little Sandy’s Restaurant in Bruceton Mills, W.Va., where we always stop the day before the West Virginia rifle season?
Answer: No.
Zzzzzzzzz!!
I still don’t sleep very well the night before the opening day of deer season, but the next night I need two alarm clocks.
Meat pole
You know you are in West Virginia when the motel at which you are staying has dead bucks hanging from the lattice work.
Dinner or supper?
You know you are in Buckhannon, W.Va., when you are seated in C.J. Maggie’s and the waiter brings your chicken chimichanga order along with a 20-ounce amber frosty.
Tired
You know it has been a good deer season when it is time to write an outdoors column and you come up with something like this because you are too tired to think straight.
Contact Outdoor Editor Mike Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.
Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors
Good deer season
Interstate deer
- Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors
-
-
Tink was picture- perfect
At the end of our hallway is a room that has served a number of purposes. Originally it was Seth and Ryan's bedroom.
-
Stuffing 10 pounds of outdoor news in a 5-pound bag
Pardon me if I use this Sunday to sit back and take a breath.
Wow. -
Mountain State’s backyard backstraps
Homeowners’ associations in West Virginia, especially those in the Eastern Panhandle, are signing on with the Division of Natural Resources for special neighborhood archery hunts for the deer that are eating their ornamental and garden plants.
-
Ten miles around the block
Jim and Robin Wiegand, who own and operate the Bassin’ Box in LaVale, have a vision of the upcoming deer season.
-
Face spited! Nose gone!
There are pert near 6 million people who live in Maryland.
Each year, about 80,000 who are older than 15, but younger than 65 purchase what is called the Resident Regular Hunting License. -
Reintro of elk just fine by me
OK. I’ve decided. I’m for it.
I’m for the reintroduction of Rocky Mountain elk into Almost Maryland.
I mean it’s not like we’re talking about bringing zebras into Garrett and Allegany counties. -
New regs getting closer in Maryland
The Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service held two public meeting recently to discuss thoughts about hunting regulations for the next two seasons.
At the one in Annapolis on March 6, a little more than a dozen people attended.
But in Hagerstown on March 13, 160 hunters showed up to let their thoughts be known. Great turnout. -
Let’s get ready to gobble!
The thing I hate about Leap Year is that it makes for one more day that you have to wait until spring gobbler season opens.
-
Md. DNR says no to handguns
If blue crabs grew to be 120 pounds in two years or maxed out in the 400- to 600-pound range, I guarantee you that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the General Assembly would collaborate to find a way to protect Marylanders who stick their toes in the Chesapeake Bay.
-
Big increase in Md. hunting license price being considered
The Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service will seek by way of the General Assembly an astounding increase in the cost of hunting licenses. As of Friday morning the bill had not yet been filed.
- More Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors Headlines
-
