I was on my way to Chris and Sonny’s yesterday when I saw a truck at the side of the road with a buck lashed to the back. This is a common sight on the second day of firearm deer season, but it’s something I don’t think I’ve ever shown you before.
Scott Kreutzer was bringing home the venison. He and his son Brody were hunting with their friend Craig Winneur, whose father-in-law owns 15 acres near the Writing Studio and Bait Shop. Very near, as a matter of fact, and I lectured the Duo severely about what could happen to little dogs who went walkabout in November. I was taking photos from the car and calling out questions because, naturally, I was running late. “You can get out of the car you know,” said Craig. OK, here’s your closeup. (If you feel that you might not wish to read any further, I will understand. Otherwise, press “more” to continue.)
The guys were headed to Sonny’s too. Off we went to observe the Male Bonding Ritual. The parking lot was already full of men in billed hats, cellphones at the ready. Craig had called his father-in-law the moment the buck went down, and word spread.
I wish I could show you the circle of men aiming cellphones at the buck, but the little camera chose that moment to jam. There are probably a dozen cellphone photos already posted on Facebook. I don’t think any of them include Brody, though. Here he is with his dad, in the Approved Buck Photo Opportunity Pose.
I think it’s ironic that the Approved Pose makes the buck look as though it is quite comfortable and taking a lively interest in the procedings. I assure you the buck is quite dead. I digress.
This is a nine-point buck. I counted. It is a blogly responsibility to confirm the facts. Um–nine? “If you can hang a ring on it we count it,” said Scott. Ah. If you look closely in the lower right corner you will see the little nubbin that counts as the ninth point.
I’m not a hunter myself, though I am a carnivore and think Nancy Hellman’s venison chili is an excellent treat. I have come to terms with the meaning of hunting and eating meat. The killing part. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t raise compelling questions in my mind.
Later on I dropped by Lois and Gary Dawson’s. We talked about hunting and animal husbandry and the general bloodiness of life. I’ve had a lot to think about this week, and needed their warmth and acceptance. This, you see, is the post I had an easy time writing. I’m still working on the one about Monday.
Torch Lake Views 
Cindy Lou
November 17, 2010
I was raised in a hunting family and still live in one….one 10-point out at camp. Nice buck! I don’t mind hunting if the animal is honored by using it wisely. I love the tradition and comraderie that are passed down from generation to generation in those male bonding rituals. 🙂 They do make me smile!
Gerry
November 17, 2010
Pretty much anyone from Around Here who hunts is eating the venison. There is also, of course, a certain amount of steely-eyed vengeance involved, as all of us have been victimized by suicidal deer out on US-31. And you do not want to get John King started on the deer that ate his trees, no indeed.
A 10-point, eh? OK, we are officially one-upped . . . but there’s still time.
P.j. grath
November 17, 2010
Don’t know why I was “afraid to look,” Gerry, when we see the same thing over here this time of year, and I, like you, feel I’ve come to terms with it. Could I hunt? If I had to, sure. (Have you seen “Winter’s Bone”? See it!) But I didn’t grow up in a hunting culture, and I’m sure that makes all the difference. By the way, Part III of the review series I’m working my way through (Part II is written, III only started) will be getting into wilderness and hunting and fishing. If you’re interested.
The boy and his dad look happy, and I’m sure the day will be an important memory for both of them for years to come.
Gerry
November 17, 2010
I mulled this one over a bit, as I know that some who are near and dear to me would choose to stop reading and come back another day. Or maybe not come back at all. Others will wonder what all the fuss is about.
I am always interested in your posts, P.J. You spend a lot more time thinking than I do. (I firmly believe this is only because you keep but one dog, who is not the Cowboy.)
Andrea Romeyn
November 17, 2010
After a couple incidencts of deer jumping out from the side of the road and completely smashing the front ends of two family vehicles with small, scared children inside said vehicles… (not to mention the shattered windshield on one of the cars), I feel that the we should be doing all we can to manage the deer population, esp. around here, where…
Not a day goes by that we don’t see at least one deer. This time of year, it’s groups of 3-8, many times by or in the road. They are cute but dangerous nonetheless.
I sincerely hope there is a ton of interest in hunting, and we successfully thin our population this year! Welcome to all responsible, talented and successful hunters!
Gerry
November 17, 2010
Hi Andrea! I’m pretty sure there are no Antrim County farmers who would disagree with a thing you’ve said. (You guys just have to stop feeding the deer so well!)
Seriously, though, we get ourselves into a swivet about how to manage the herd so there are enough deer to make hunting an attractive tourist draw–yet not so many that they create a traffic jam on M-88–yet not so few that there won’t BE any more deer–yet not so many that they eat us out of orchards and cornfields–yet . . . I think it’s pure human hubris to think that we can truly manage a population of wild creatures in a way that satisfies all the competing human interests.
I would have thought that with times as rough as they are in the North Country, more hunters would be out in the woods. However, if I understand correctly, there are actually fewer. I grew up in a time and place when hunting was just one of the ways a family ate. It wasn’t a sport. And even though we lived in excellent deer habitat, we didn’t see them all the time. We had to hunt for them. Lois Dawson says that’s how it was here, too. Now the place is just littered with ’em.
Nothing about any of it is simple. But talking to each other about our life experiences and what those experiences have taught us seems to me worthwhile.
Fee
November 18, 2010
I remember venison meals from when I was a kid – none of my family hunted, but there was always the odd suicidal deer on dark roads at night (which were put out of their misery if required, and loaded into the car. Waste not, want not). Haven’t had any for years, though. My granny’s venison stew was amazing.
Gerry
November 18, 2010
So now what I want to know is how they learned to dress it out and butcher it? If granny’s stew was good, they must have done it right. (I have a theory that many people who don’t like venison have eaten meat that wasn’t handled very well to begin with.)
Fee
November 20, 2010
Dad’s best friend (and my godfather) was a trained butcher – our freezer never lacked for chunks of meat.
Gerry
November 20, 2010
You had a sturdy upbringing then, Fee!
Scott Thomas Photography
November 18, 2010
That is one nice buck they got there.
I have a degree in Wildlife Biology and know much about management of wild species. Deer populations are increasing drastically while each year there are fewer hunters to bring down those populations. If I had my way, I’d introduce wolves to help but that is not a viable solution as wolves need a lot of space. Space that people are unwilling to give nor are they willing to live with wolves. Witness what is going on in Idaho and Montana.
Gerry
November 18, 2010
Scott, you have pinned my ears back in wonder and amazement. No wonder your wildlife images are exceptional. You really owe it to yourself to visit Isle Royale. It is an extraordinary place, and you would do it justice in pixels.
So now, lessee, some folks are going to think I’m promoting hunting, others are going to think I’m disparaging it, and now we’re gonna get into wolves, too, eh? Are we having fun yet? We are. We do have wolves in the northern lower peninsula. Not a lot, mind you, but they’re here.
Scott Thomas Photography
November 18, 2010
Isle Royale is on my bucket list, Gerry. I read, studied and wrote about the work of biologist David Mech about the relationship between the moose and wolves on the island in my wilderness classes.
Yes, wolves do bring out the passion in people, both good and bad.
P.j. grath
November 18, 2010
There are more deer in Michigan now than there were prior to white European settlement and more deer in southern Michigan than in northern Michigan. The difference is farming. Big fields of corn, orchards full of apples.
I’m a little wary of Scott’s plan to introduce wolves, if only because introducing one species to control another is so fraught with unexpected consequences. Witness autumn olive here Up North, kudzu in the South–and those are only plants.
Congratulations, Gerry, on opening up a big topic. It’s certainly appropriate conversation for the place we live in.
Gerry
November 18, 2010
I think the wolves are pretty much introducing themselves. Wonder if we could get them to eat Asian carp . . . with a garnish of autumn olive?
Babs Young
November 18, 2010
I’m waiting for the one about Monday.
Gerry
November 18, 2010
I’m working on it right now. I’ve been working on it for two days. I’m getting there.