You see, that was my perception of deer hunting.

Little did I know the experiences I had ahead of me.

Things changed in 2002 when my husband, Jamie, took me out hunting a few times. It wasn’t long before I hunted on my own for the first time, the following year.

My transformation has been dramatic.

When I think about deer hunting now, I think of peace, leaves falling, twigs snapping, seeing my breath in front of me, a crunchy skiff of snow and that smell. You know that smell, pungent yet so refreshing, the smell of nature at its peak – hunting season.

I hunt now in all three deer seasons – archery, firearm and muzzleloader – and I revel in the uniqueness of each experience.

An archer in the woods

Picture walking in to your tree stand in late October to archery hunt, dragging the wet leaves stuck to your boots, pointing your nose upward to smell and feel for the wind direction that you had already checked multiple times throughout the day and the days prior.

Climbing as quietly as you possibly can, you try to get settled quickly, yet comfortably, because the amount of movement from here on will be limited for the next couple hours.

At this point you are one with nature, listening to the birds chirp and the squirrels and chipmunks chatter, all the while hoping to get a look at the elusive majestic buck. Pure peace, yet every rustle, every snap, increases your awareness and anticipation.

Then there’s that instant heart flutter that suddenly makes you aware. You can literally hear your heart pounding, just as you get that glimpse of the tail flutter, and in walks a doe with deliberate stride.

Nothing compares to being that close to a whitetail deer in its natural environment.

Every sit in a tree stand is a new experience, each one. Hunting this way is, in my opinion, the ultimate hunting experience. Though this is the most exhilarating way to hunt, even as an avid deer hunter, I must admit I have yet to harvest a buck out of my tree stand.

Having said that, I did harvest my first black bear from my tree stand, which was amazing!

November rituals

As each firearm deer season approaches, the thoughts and anticipation are at an all-time high, but so very different for very different reasons. The weather is changing, the deer habits are unpredictable, traditions and rituals with friends and family are being planned and set in place.

It’s that time – it’s deer season. Just the thought of sitting in my blind from dawn to dusk is exciting and a thought that never gets old.

This walk seems like it takes forever, because of the rush of emotions and adrenaline. My steps are long and lean. I’m paying close attention to any sound not made by my footsteps.

As I approach the blind, it seems I can’t be too quiet and careful. The preservation of my opening-day hunting spot depends on it.

Now I am in. I’m finally here.

A check of my watch, counting down the minutes until that blurry view becomes light enough to see. So very still, I’m just listening and watching for a sign that a deer might walk out into view at any moment.

Suddenly, a brush of movement catches my eye in the wide distance.

No, I am mistaken.

It’s just the wind and my anticipation.

After hours of sitting in the blind content and peaceful, combing the tree line visually back and forth through my binoculars, searching for a flicker or flash of brown off in the distance, I’m peering with great intent.

Only then do I realize a nice buck has approached from behind and is strolling, nose to the ground, steadfast through this clearing.

I am overcome by an instant mirage of thoughts and emotions, some too quick to process.

“Breathe, breathe,” I tell myself.

I need to get a shot off quickly because he’s not stopping.

“Squeeze the trigger,” I hear myself think.

“Breathe.”

“Squeeze.”

This buck – still not so much as a lift of the head, just a stealth stride focused on a mission.

Bang!

Did I shoot?

I didn’t feel a thing.

Retrieving the animal as a family has given my children the opportunity to experience the success and emotion of the hunt. Together we are all making those connections, making those memories.

They have seen firsthand my passion and excitement, which makes them want to experience the rest of the story.

For me, it’s all about the experiences, very little about the harvest – experiences I very much want to continue share with others: my husband, my boys, my sisters, but most importantly, my daughter, Bailey.

Mother and daughter

Bailey, who is now 14, hasn’t committed to hunting to harvest an animal, but by participating in the process and being exposed to our experiences, she has a complete understanding and appreciation for deer hunting here in Michigan.