Some of my brothers hunted deer when I was growing up. I considered the activity as a means to get out of milking cows, but the feeling passed when I realized I would need to skin and gut the deer. It didn’t seem right to kill a deer when I do not care for venison.

Another reason I don’t care for hunting is that I have hit several deer in my 35 years behind the wheel. Although it was my understanding that deer hits were considered a comprehensive claim, I found out first-hand a couple years ago that if you happen to have two deer hits in 8 weeks, your insurance will see a significant increase, unfortunately. It was explained to me that I am high risk.

For the past 15 or more years, local resident Doug May has hunted on our family farm. My mom was always very impressed when people she allowed to hunt shared their bounty with our family after they got their deer. Doug often shared venison sausage. One year, he gifted my mom with a lovely, personalized blanket. She was touched by his kindness.

May has been hunting for 49 years (since the age of 12). His sons, Josh and Doug (junior), also started hunting at the age of 12. Doug (senior) told me: “I hunt with my wife Mary and my daughter-in-law Connie Shermak. This year, we enjoyed hunting north of Nimrod, MN on the land we just bought in January.”

When I was growing up, I knew very few women who went hunting or fishing. In recent years, I notice many activities promoted during hunting season that are geared towards women and labeled as Deer Widow events.

From craft and bake sales to purse bingo, sip and shops, to dart tournaments, businesses are capitalizing on the activity of hunting. It does seem like an ideal time for women to do their shopping while the men are away.

However, it seems more and more females are taking up the sport, including youngsters. I find it refreshing when parents and children spend time together in the great outdoors.

I know several local families who thoroughly enjoy the sport. Hunting is a passion in the Mortensen household. Kourtney and Joshua Mortensen of Santiago have enjoyed hunting for many years and describe hunting season as their favorite time of year. That includes the Mortensen children. Myah (10) and Maverick (9) enjoy the experience with their parents. Myah first took an interest in hunting when she joined her dad in the woods at age 2. She was fascinated by the deer and enjoyed time outside.

The Mortensen youngsters have continued to spend time in the woods with their parents, grandparents and cousins for the past several years. Myah Mortensen actually got two deer on opening weekend near Santiago on her grandparents property at Wild Marsh Sporting Clays.

Within a few minutes of being in the deer stand Myah’s dad had built for her, Myah says she saw a doe walking out of a nearby swamp. After spotting the deer, Myah said a prayer and made sure she had her sights on her doe. She took one shot at 40 yards and the deer buckled, but then got back up and ran into a small thicket nearby. Myah and her mom (Kourtney) waited about a half hour and went to check for blood and found the doe, which weighed in at 115 pounds.

The following evening, Myah decided to go back out with her dad (Josh), hoping to fill her buck tag. Josh was doing some calling (bleating and grunting) and out walked a 7 point buck (147 pounder). The buck was at 80 yards. Josh told Myah: “Get him in your sights” and was going to try calling the buck in closer.

Before Josh could call again, Myah asked her dad: “Can I shoot him?” After just one shot (80 yards), the deer dropped in his tracks. It was the farthest Myah has ever shot, although she only sighted her gun in for up to 50 yards! 

Hunting is a wholesome activity to enjoy with family and friends. Since I don’t enjoy hunting, I will take one for the team and give the local economy a shot in the arm by doing some shopping (locally of course)!