Opening deer season (a.k.a. girls weekend)–the time of year where the men (and a few women, too) gather their guns and blaze orange attire to head into the woods. But, besides the hunt itself, there are other reasons to celebrate one of the Iron Range’s favorite time of year:
Reason #1: A much needed break from your mate
Before the stress of the holidays arrives, deer hunting season gives us an opportunity to appreciate some time apart. With the day in and day out, and “Honey this…” and “Did you do that”, who doesn’t crave a weekend of solitude? I know I do. A night without snoring! Hooray! Sleeping in until whenever I want! Hooray! A weekend without the wife nagging, an excuse to get ridiculously drunk and a chance to win some money at poker. Woo hoo!
(I just wish my husband hunted. Damn! I knew I should have married a Ranger.)
Reason #2: It’s good for the economy
Men buy new gear, supplies, maybe a new gun and a ton of food. The city folk drive hundreds of miles to spend their cash right here in northern Minnesota. Certainly iron range bars and restaurants experience a boost in sales. As the season progresses, local butchers gain additional business of preparing the meat into beef sticks, salami, polish, etc. If the guys are lucky enough to shoot a buck with more than 8 points, they will seek out taxidermists so they may hang their trophy on the living room wall for all eternity.
Left alone, women get their fair share of spending in, too. The ladies will likely go out to eat, buy some new clothes or perhaps pamper themselves with a full-hour massage, a trip to the salon and a pedicure.
Reason #3: An excuse to engage in behavior you normally wouldn’t
Don’t act all innocent with me, I wasn’t born yesterday. Men, if you think us women don’t have a clue about what happens at the shack, think again. I don’t have to say it here, but you know what we know and we know all about it and quite honestly, WE DON’T CARE. Fill your boyish urges up at the shack and then return home rejuvenated, ready to begin working on the next home improvement project.
Ladies, did someone say male strippers? I think that’s self explanatory.
Reason #4: Less Road Kill
Some people protest against hunting. Some people think hunting is cruel. I disagree. Most Rangers would agree that hunting keeps our natural habitat in sync and controls the natural order of things. The thought of deer starving to death or being smacked continuously by vehicles seems much more harmful than actually making use of nutritious meat to feed our families. Plus, road kill is disgusting.
Reason #5: The Thrill of the Kill
And finally, call it instinct or whatever you want: Men love to kill things. It gives them a sense of power and accomplishment. It satisfies their natural male psychology; that same part which causes them to watch Die Hard 1, 2 3, Terminator 1, 2 3, all the James Bond movies, etc. multiple times. I firmly believe that if men were denied the opportunity to kill things at least once per year, they might lash out in other ways like wanting more ATVs, more tools, more…sex?!. Hunting proves to be a valued event year after year.
