Outdoor Adventures

By Brian G. Schommer

A “preface” is defined as an “introduction to a book, typically stating its subject, scope or aims.” While there is no plan to write a book about the 2020 Minnesota Deer Opener, there will be a significant amount of ink dedicated in this column to deer hunting and a few other things. Minnesota gun season opens on Saturday, November 7th with Wisconsin gun season opening on Saturday, November 21st. The amount of preparation that goes into getting ready for the opener, while it varies among each hunter takes a significant amount of time, communication with hunting party and much more. Every deer hunter has their own little rituals when it comes to making sure that all their ducks… I mean… deer are in a row. The execution of each hunters preparedness plan runs the spectrum of executing a focused and precision detailed checklist complete with org chart to the scattered, last minute “almost forgot to get that” stops right up to the time they step in the woods type plan. My personal plan always starts out focused but turns into what is best described as a combo platter because, why have just ribs or brisket when you can have both?

I have many deer hunting friends who are meticulous when it comes to the preparation of their hunting clothes. They start by using a high-quality hunter’s detergent and then if possible, dry them outdoors au natural. They certainly would never dry them in the garage where so many “human” scents could be attracted to their clothing. If they cannot dry them naturally, they use a dryer but ABSOLUTELY no fabric softener sheets. Then they place their clothes in a container such as a plastic bin with secure cover to stay protected from any further potential of becoming infiltrated by human or any other predator type smells until they are to be worn on the day of the hunt. That day, a lot of these same friends will shower with a Scent Killer Body Wash and Shampoo and hunter’s deodorant, at least that is what they tell me. They will also treat their boots and clothing once more with scent elimination spray. It all makes sense because deer do have good sniffers and they can tell when something doesn’t smell quite right. If their instincts tell them something just is not right, they will be laying low. However, at this time of year, there is one smell that just might make a deer completely forget about any other scent, including the bad breath of a meat-eating predator dressed in blaze orange sitting in a tree stand. That would be the smell of urine from a doe in heat and if you have ever smelled it, you know that it is far from delightful to the human nose but, it drives deer crazy. When the rut is on, a buck will completely lose his mind over the possibility of finding a “hot doe” and doing what comes naturally.

Admittedly, I am not as dedicated as some of my deer hunting pals are when it comes to clothing preparation. It has been awhile since my blaze orange was washed in some type of scent fighting detergent, dried outside and stored in a protective containment system of any kind. I do usually spray my boots and clothes down good with a scent blocker the day of the opener and I have used that special deodorant and hunting shampoo in the past to at least make me feel like I have an advantage over the deer. This year I have decided to pull out all the stops and my clothes have all been washed and are now stored in a high-tech scent free container (known to most as plastic garbage bag). I may even use those other scent eliminators disguised as personal hygiene products. Why am I going to more extremes than normal you may ask? Call it an experiment to see if my uber dedicated deer hunting friends are onto something or if they are just on something? I will be making a report of the extra effort effectiveness, or lack thereof in next week’s column. An old-timer once told me “All you need is a good doe pee,” so rest assured that I will have an ample supply of doe pee, buck bombs and other smelly things at or near my stand as well. The preparation doesn’t end there though… still many things to do.

Another key preparation is sighting in your firearm(s). I have been told by several who are much more astute to the facts of hunting it is 100% about the gun and not the person operating the firearm. By much more astute, I mean even more full of $%^* than I am (which is a challenge by itself). Making sure the scope (if you hunt with a scope) on your rifle or shotgun is dialed in is vital to your deer hunting effort. If you are hunting open site, knowing how your gun shoots makes a big difference. Taking time before the hunt to shoot is something that is a must for most hunters and, it gets the blood flowing in anticipation for the opener. Hunters are not out to wound an animal and equally, when a misplaced shot does so; they feel terrible. Placing the perfect shot that allows for quick expiration of the deer is what hunters desire. The last thing any hunter wants to do is follow the blood trail of an animal that their shot execution was less than perfect. The time it takes to ensure you know how your gun shoots is, at least in my opinion, the duty of all hunters, as a sign of respect for the game you are hunting. I can say that unless I accidentally knock my scope out of alignment, I shouldn’t be able to use “the gun was off” as an excuse for a miss. I mean, I will still use the excuse but… I shouldn’t be able to as both my .270 and .243 are shooting straight.

The final preparations for me such as getting my license and making sure I have enough ammunition is usually a last-minute thing, but NOT this year. I am so far ahead of the game; It is almost scary. Finding ammo has been a challenge this year due to effects of Covid-19 on the ammunition industry. Supplies and manufacturing of various types and caliber of cartridges and slugs are down considerably. Depending on your firearm and if you prefer to shoot lead, copper or another non-toxic type of projectile, it sure has been slim pickings. A recent stop at a local retailer showed a few signs of hope as they were just getting more slugs on the shelf. In talking with another customer, he said that he was unable to find 30-06 ammunition but instead found a significant amount of .308 ammo, so he did what anyone would do; He bought a new Savage .308. Look at it this way, if you are not shooting your preferred gun or ballistic of choice AND you miss… you have another excuse. Just blame it on Covid-19 AND 2020. Nobody will question the authenticity of the excuse.

This column is being turned in for publication three days prior to print as is the nature of the weekly paper business and deadlines. If all goes to plan, tomorrow morning (Friday, November 6, 2020) I will be joining a few buddies, packing up the vehicles and heading north for Minnesota Deer Opener 2020. There will be plenty of jokes and stories on the way to Steve (and his lovely bride Shannon) Banaszewski’s cabin, with at least a few being of the off-color variety. If Steve and I are in the same vehicle, the potential for off-color commentary increases exponentially. Steve is one of the good guys and we seem to play well off each other for some reason. There is usually a stop at Fleet Farm to pick up some last-minute items and of course, plenty of “snackies.” Depending on coffee consumption, we may make a couple pitstops because, as guys, we cannot coordinate “PB’s” as well as women do and maybe even a stop at a store distributing adult beverages, especially the “Blue Yummies” (Busch Light).

Another “most likely” is we will have a great dinner; Always something good and hearty. The portions are quite healthy while the nutritional value might be “not so much.” None of us leave the table hungry. There will be many more stories, jokes and even a few shenanigans before we all turn down the sheets and crawl into our designated resting spots. Before you know it, the OPENER will be upon us with new stories starting to develop. As we say a little prayer for safety and a successful harvest, we will each enter the woods and new stories will begin. How they will end and what will be the context in between be hasn’t been written yet… just like everything in our lives. Until it happens, you don’t know what it will be. Kind of like when the Vikings beat the Packers at Lambeau. I am pretty sure very few expected that outcome. (Come on Packer fans… you didn’t expect me to let this opportunity slip by… Gotta make hay when the sun shines, right)? I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer quite often in life… Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; The Courage to change the things I can AND the Wisdom to know the difference. I think many of us need this right now… I know that I do. Until next week… If you are a deer hunter, be safe and best of luck. Enjoy the Great Outdoors and just a PS… a “PB” is a potty break.