When I was a kid, deer hunting was all about the kill and then I was finished with it. Now that I'm older, I have found that I get more enjoyment from the planning and scouting, putting out feeders and checking cameras, and the 4 wheeler riding on my trails around our 150 acre farm where I hunt. I enjoy watching the wildlife and I know that I can take a deer just about any day I want one. No pressure to tag out and call it quits before November is over.

This year, my son came in from college and took a fairly nice 8 point on the opening afternoon. My 77 year old dad went on a few warmer afternoons and saw several deer, both bucks and does, but chose not to pull the trigger this year. He just likes to chew tobacco and watch the deer eat. I took a buck last weekend so I would be sure to have deer steaks at Christmas for some of my inlaws who don't hunt, but like to eat it.

It's about out enjoying what you do and respecting nature. I have a friend who is a game warden and every year some dumb head redneck shoots their mechanical deer the first night they put it out. I just don't get people who can't follow the simple rules about what's legal or not. It's so easy to just do it right.

Enjoy your deer steaks and the experience of hunting......the whole experience of it all, not just the kill or the fine meal that is the end of it. Good job, D.