Even though the Saturday opener for the rifle deer season has been in place for two years now, debate surrounding the issue remains strong.
There have been interesting arguments made from both sides, yet the fact that many hunters still oppose the Saturday deer opener makes me question just how successful it really is, considering we’ve tried it for two seasons.
I’ve stated my opinion on the matter already, and I’m not going to rehash it now. But there is one misconception that has been highlighted by the Saturday opener debate that I feel is misleading, damaging and dishonest.
A lot of the opposition to the Saturday opener comes from those who hunt from deer camps. As a result, this segment has been the target of criticism from those in favor of the measure. Supporters of the Saturday opener are quick to point out that camp hunters who prefer the traditional Monday start can simply wait until then to hunt, if they like it so much. That’s true, but along the same lines, when the opening day was on a Monday there was nothing stopping anyone from waiting until the first Saturday of the season to go hunting – if that’s their day of choice.
But the thing that bothers me the most – more than the pros and cons of a Saturday deer opener – is the age-old misconception that a deer camp is more about the booze than it is about the hunt. This fallacy re-surfaced during the Saturday opener debate, and I have to believe it gained traction from those who never hunted from a camp and have no idea what the true camp experience entails.
As a writer, one of the basic rules of journalism is to go right to the “source” to find clarity and accuracy.
I’ve hunted from deer camps throughout the state my entire life. On this topic, I’m a “source” and I can vouch that the “drunk at deer camp” notion is nothing more than an offensive, shallow generalization.
Do some of us crack open a cold beer at the end of a long day in the woods? Sure we do. Are there camps where a few drinks are consumed during a card game? Absolutely.
But in reality, alcohol is insignificant when it comes to the real meaning of a deer camp. It’s about camaraderie, reunions with friends, good food, memories and traditions, and, most importantly, the hunt.
I was reminded of this recently when a friend, Bob Kester, called to tell me about the buck he harvested this season from his camp in Pike County.
For 45 years, Kester has hunted from Crystal Springs Camp with family members and friends. Deer season has always been serious business for those who hunted from the camp, and it also served as a time to reunite with old friends.
This year, however, one familiar face was absent from the Crystal Springs Camp when deer season opened. Kester’s father, Robert A. Kester, passed away on Oct. 20, 2020, at the age of 92. He didn’t hunt, but he dutifully played the role of camp cook for decades – perhaps the most important job at any deer camp. The elder Kester happily whipped up hearty meals and baked his famous cinnamon rolls from scratch to keep all the hunters well-fed. Bob said his father’s penchant for cooking dated back to his days in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
Robert Kester also brought plenty of character to the camp. In addition to his good food, Robert supplied entertainment in the form of old western movies that he played on 16mm film, and as an amateur magician his magic tricks were a big hit with the camp crew.
When the deer season was underway and everyone else hit the woods, Robert would wait at camp for a successful hunter returning with a buck, and he always had lunch ready when someone came in with an appetite.
“You always got your money’s worth when my dad was at camp,” Bob said. “He just enjoyed being with the guys and being a part of it all for the week.”
Despite not being at camp this year, Robert was still a part of the experience.
On the first Thursday of the season, Bob harvested an 11-point buck – the biggest of his hunting career – and his brother, Jack, helped him bring the deer back to camp. Even though Robert wasn’t there to greet his two sons back at camp – as he had done for years – it still felt like he was still a part of it all.
“Dad always wished for me to get a nice one, and I got the biggest one of my life the year he passed away,” Bob said. “My brother and I both said this buck was a gift from him. He didn’t hunt, but the camp during deer season was a special place to him.”
Stories like that define the traditional Pennsylvania deer camp. It has nothing to do with booze, but everything when it comes to memories, friendships and family bonds.
So go ahead and debate the merits of the Saturday opener, just don’t insinuate that the only reason why camp hunters want their Monday back is so they can drink the weekend away. Such an accusation is as flat as a warm can of cheap beer.
- This column originally appeared in PA Outdoor News.
The truth
I agree 100%, we have had our hunting camp since 1965, that 56 years, can you imagine the memories that have occurred in that amount of time. And thankfully the boss is still with us at 91 years old!!!
Very, very well stated. I am 38 yrs old and have been hunting from a deer camp in western PA since I was 12. While I enjoyed more hunting this year, I certainly missed the camaraderie and fellowship this year.
Well said Tom, I couldn’t have stated this any better. Our camp is experiencing the same thing. Of 35 members in the camp, zero are in favor of the Saturday opener. Thank you for writing this.
Ahh, the is truth is told. Excellent from a member of a camp for 55 years.
The biggest complaint I have is that we would like to have Saturday to set up camp . We have no electric , heat with wood , Water to carry in and firewood to put on the porch & in the kitchen. Even going up on Thanksgiving still makes for a lot of work to do in a short amount time . And the Corona didn’t help at all .
It was nice to get away from the rat race and slow down for a few days at hunnt camp. Spend time with friends and family before taking it to the woods.
Now buck season feels rushed like the rat race we were trying to get away from for a bit.
This is spot on. I have been hunting from our camp fir 45 years, as well as spending time there as a summer getaway and fishing venue. I can and have been as successful locally as I have been there over the years. Our camp has an 85 year history and is full of 4 generations of memories and traditions. The Monday start gave us a chance to actually prepare a stand, sight in rifles after traveling 3 hours to get there, scout, prepare shooting lanes, and other preparation needed to have a better chance to be successful. It also us the only time of the year when every camp was occupied, and sometimes is the only chance to see old friends. Now, its a high pressure race to check stands, make adjustments for natural changes in the hunting area, such as a fallen tree or a stand malfunction, or any other oddity that might happen. Also if anyone thinks a hunter has a better chance of getting a buck on day 3 instead of day one is not thinking clearly. I would personally like a Sunday start. Now that Sunday hunting is permitted. It gives the traveling hunters a day to prepare, and becomes a much more fun experience, which is as important as harvesting a deer. Yes more time in the woods is great, and can help youth hunters by giving them extra time to be successful, but the price if that is young hunters don’t get the traditions, the comoraderie, or the ability to meet new friends in neighboring camps. I see both sides wuth advantages, but I think an extra day to prepare for a hunt increases likelihood of success fir all hunters, and that’s what will keep young new hunters into this glorious sport
I wish I could find a few real camp hunters to take the place of our past hunter friends Zaza its just me and my older brother for a little help and great hunting, good food and games and lots of stories. We have had our camp 47 years , and don’t regret one minute of it.
Even though I was neither for or against a Saturday opener, one thing is certain for some deer camps in that it is not like it used to be. Because our state has such a long and rich hunting tradition, I think the PGC should have kept it on Monday and figured out another way to increase revenue.