Holiday Hunting: Tips on chasing whitetails & the perfect outdoor gift
Even though there are more opportunities than ever to hunt deer, the first week of rifle season is a special time for hunters.
Rifle deer season got underway Saturday, and parts of the commonwealth actually had a couple inches of snow. For those who don't hunt deer, a light covering of snow helps a hunter see the brown animals moving through the woods. The deer’s tracks can help a hunter determine if deer were recently moving through the area. It also helps hunters find a wounded animal that took off after their shot.
I was fortunate to get a doe in the muzzleloader season and a buck with my bow, but I’m out of the office for a few days to hunt with my dad, brothers and their children.
Despite not being in a stand waiting for a deer, it’s still fun being part of the hunt. Even when they ask me to walk through the thickest parts of the woods to chase deer their way, I enjoy being with the other hunters as they anxiously look for deer.
This week's photo is a special one to me. My nephew Joseph Whipkey was able to harvest a doe on Saturday. The image shows Joseph with his father, Jeremy, and his sister Carena as they go over the new tagging process that involves making notches in the paper deer tag. The photo captures how the passion for the outdoors is being shared and passed on to the next generation.
Speaking of hunting: If you are fortunate to get a deer this year, you may want to try canning some of the meat. I’m sharing a recipe my mother has held from a Game News magazine 40 years ago. Canned venison is great for a variety of meals and it’s quick and easy to prepare.
Another story I have this week involves another type of hunting: The pursuit of the perfect gift for your outdoors person. I’m sharing a variety of gift ideas that anyone who hunts or fishes will appreciate receiving this Christmas.
With these local shopping ideas, you can save the fruit cake for someone else on your list.
While the focus now is on deer season, remember pheasant hunting is popular into the new year. I’m sharing my story from my visit to the Loyalsock Game Farm earlier this year. Those in charge of raising pheasants for hunting talk about the extra stockings that will happen over the holidays and into the new year.
Looking ahead to the new year, I had a live video conversation with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer and Vice President Robert “BJ” Small about fishing licenses going on sale and a few changes in the fishing regulations. We also talked about their lake improvement projects that are underway. Watch the video in the link below.
I’m always ready for a good story about a trophy buck or other fun outdoor adventure. If you have one in mind, please give me a call at 814-444-5928.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoor columnist for USA Today Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Outdoors Newsletter email on your website's homepage under your login name.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Brian Whipkey talks about pursuing whitetails and the perfect gift
