REMEMBER ?

Do you remember when a tree stand was a bunch of 2 x 4’s someone put together without any thought and placed it against a tree or just a fork in the tree you could climb too?

Do you remember red or green buffalo plaid?

Okay folks, those might be real out-of-date deer hunting practices but I will bet you there are a few of our readers that do remember.We have so many innovations and studies and products that have happened in the last 30 years that many don’t remember or even want to, how we used to do it.

With the celebration of my 50^th birthday I am remembering how it was when I started deer hunting.  I was the owner of an over-sized hand-me-down red buffalo plaid wool coat and matching pants and cap, had a pair of winter insulated snowmobile boots and gray wool gloves.  I was envious of one of my friend’s because he had the new green buffalo plaid suit. 

No-one in my area would climb a tree to hunt a deer it was strictly spot and stalk.  We would roam the woods in search of the ever elusive white tail.  Stopping frequently to lean against a tree and search to hills and valleys.  Then move a little and search again.  After a morning of moving through the woods we would find a downed tree and have a seat behind it and wait.  If we were lucky there would be several of us hunting in the area (not usually together) and we would meet up and conduct a “man drive” for one or two standers in front of the drivers who would hopefully be pushing deer toward the standers.  Every so often we would change up who was standing and who was driving.

Scent control?  I don’t think that ever crossed many of our minds.  These plaid outfits were never washed (or dry cleaned) during the season and many were never cleaned except to brush or rub off any stains you might encounter.  The boots we wore we used every day for work or play.

How did we ever kill a deer?  The population of deer in the Eastern US thirty (+) years ago was not what it is today so NO, we did not kill many deer that way.  You never could kill a doe and for most hunters, bow hunters were “Native Americans”….  If one of your hunting companions did kill a deer it was celebration time.  Not unlike today dinner that evening was fresh tenderloin at the victorious hunter’s house with all leaving with a roast or a few steaks.

Also, do you remember going to the Military Surplus store and buying “BDU” or Military issue camo?  I tried that for a season or two myself.  Of course only in small man’s sizes but I gave it a shot.

Our start government enacted the Blaze Orange rule in the early ‘80’s and then the thing to have was an ALL blaze orange suit…They could see you from outer space in those.

THEN, a gentleman from Virginia created Hunter’s Camo and everyone rushed to get it for deer season.  I can remember wearing my Military camo that year to deer hunt because all the local sporting goods store sold out of the hunter’s camo as soon as it was in inventory.

Sit back; think how good we have it now.  What are your thoughts?  What do you remember? Comment below and let us know!!