|
Tracking a different kind of game
Common wisdom recommends that hobbies and recreational activities should be very different, even opposite, from your day job. For Darrell Morris, that translates to activities that are outside, physically demanding and that tap into a different area of the brain – things like farming, fishing and hunting.
Hunting season is just over and Darrell had a good one.
 For non-hunters, here is a short primer. The most active hunting season is fall and early winter. This is when most types of huntable animals, especially large game, are in season. Hunters help keep wildlife populations under control so the animals don't encroach on homes and suburbs in pursuit of food. In recent years, the deer population in particular has increased in and around Kentucky (note the number of deer/car accidents). The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife works with hunters to actively "harvest" the deer and keep the numbers more manageable.
 Even with large numbers of deer, it takes a lot of skill to harvest one. Many hunters never bag a deer. For Darrell, 2007 was a particularly good year. Not only did he harvest several deer for himself, he was able to share with some less fortunate hunters. Here is an accounting of his success: Darrell harvested two deer using bow and arrow, two deer with his black powder rifle and two deer with his high powered rifle. Having such an embarrassment of riches, Darrell decided to keep three for his own freezer and give three to friends who were not as lucky as he was. He also commented that all the deer were does or small bucks without visible antlers, so he had no taxidermy bill this year.
 Another creature that is hard to get is the wild turkey. Though the population has exploded over the last 10 years and they can now be found in flocks of 20 to 30 birds, especially in cut corn fields along interstate highways, they are a difficult bird to harvest due to their keen eyesight. It takes a lot of patience and the ability to stay hidden and still in the heat of the hunt. This year, Darrell came home with two wild turkeys! He and his family enjoyed them for Thanksgiving dinner.
|
Full Newsletter
