Leaves go from green the summer to then steadily morph into red, orange and yellow as fall takes over. They slowly die while floating softly to the ground. As they start to change from color to color and fall, different ages, genders and personalities get ready to battle the woods by playing a little game called hunting. Some women do not like the idea of killing animals, or being out in the cold. While the number of women hunters is low, those that do are just as good as male hunters.
“Guys used to tease me about hunting until they found out how good I was,” junior Haley Varner said. “Now, they just take it, like they should.”
Hunting takes long, vigorous hours and tons of patience. Deer usually come up around sunrise and then again at sunset. A typical day for a hunter is to wake up before the crack of dawn, dressed only in the best orange and camouflage. As they strut to and out the door into the newly crisp air, the games begin; they head out and go into their time-consuming built blind made especially for this hobby and season.
Once up and set for the hunt, they grab a spot and start by sitting and waiting. Many hunters can sense when deer are close. Once they see thier first deer, many hunter experience what is called “Buck Fever”. The hunter’s heart begins to pound; they can feel a huge rush of adrenaline where it feels like all the blood that’s flowing within their body is on some sort of race. They tense up, and their nerves get to them, but all that goes through their head is to not make a sound. Hunting is said to help people learn a sense of patience.
“Girls are better than guys at it,” Varner said regarding the skill of patience and hunting.
Many families depend on deer season as a free meat source, especially considering the economy the population is in. For those who aren’t worried they simply love to show off that rack and admire the taste.
“More girls should get involved in hunting it’s a good experience and a fun way to spend time with others,” Varner said.
Being one of those hunters who is not lucky enough to get one during sunrise, they may head back in around ten. Close to sunset it would be a time for them to go back out in the chilly, stillness of the air and into the thrill. Up in the female hunters’ blind they suddenly see the perfect shot. A buck standing right at their bait, which could be one of many things: corn, beats, or even hay. As they creep steadily into position they begin expereincing the sickness called “Buck Fever.” Then with a slight flinch, their finger tightens and they pull the trigger back letting off a sharp “pew.” The animal drops to the ground sending a wave of leaves in the air. The hunter’s mission has been completed.
