Deer hunting season in full swing

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This article was published 15/11/2018 (2610 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With the fresh snowfall and longer hunting season this year, hunters are grabbing their orange vests and firearms to bag the perfect trophy.

Don Teale, president of the Brandon Wildlife Association, said the gun range has been busy with hunters setting up shop to get their firearms ready for deer hunting season.

In Zone E, which eats up much of Westman, white-tailed deer season is Oct. 15 to Nov. 11 for archery, Oct. 15 to Nov. 11 for youth muzzleloader, Oct. 22 to Nov. 11 for muzzleloader and Nov. 12 to Dec. 2 for general rifle.

“It gets you out in the elements, and most of the hunters are out there to be there and enjoy the hunting and being out,” Teale said.

The club has more than 1,000 members and holds competitions through out the year, along with hosting a gun show and Big Buck Awards Family Sports Day in December.

One can join the association for an annual fee of $60.

Teale was ready for the big day, heading out to take part in the first day of the muzzle hunting season on Oct. 22 to hunt an area north of Justice. While Teale went home empty handed, two of his hunting buddies found success.

While he has been out twice since that time, Teale is still “shopping” for the perfect trophy.

There has been a noticeable uptick in deer this year, Teale said — a welcome sight given that hunters can take home a doe or a buck this year and have three weeks to hunt.

Given a severe drop in the deer population five years ago, hunters have since that time been restricted to one deer per year regardless of if they are hunting with rifles, bow and arrow or a muzzleloader.

Prior to five years ago, one could bag one deer each way.

“Everybody’s sort of got a different view of why they like it,” Teale said of the three hunting methodologies. “They hunt because of the pleasure of hunting.”

The sport draws an array of hunters, from those who may go without shooting a deer for several years in favour of searching for the perfect trophy, to others that like the meat and create special meals out of it.

Further, heading out on the hunt offers a chance for families to get out together and enjoy the winter. Teale often hunts with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

With fresh snowfall, Teale said the weather is creating great conditions to head out on the prowl.

The snow makes it easier to track the deer, he said, adding they also stand out a little better in the white conditions.

The sport isn’t without its expenses, Teale said.

The costs of hunting can add up, between paying for ammunition, tags, licences and so on.

But with the passion many have for the sport, the art of tracking deer remains popular in Westman.

Marty Alders, Brandon Home Hardware manager, has been inundated with a steady flow of hunters eager to track down deer.

The store has been busy, with Alders seeing approximately 60 people inquiring about hunting gear on a typical day.

This year, the 300 Mag — a firearm that sits right in the middle of calibers — is proving to be the gun of choice for local hunters, Alders said.

While archery is growing in popularity, firearms remain the more popular tool for hunting.

An avid hunter, Alders, like Teale has seen an increase in the deer population this year. This season has been one of the best he has seen in the last five years.

Alders likes to hunt in the Rapid City and Rivers area.

Game meat offers a special treat and he recommends Obermaier’s Sausage & Meats Ltd. for processing meat when one makes their kill.

Despite the meat payoff at the end, he said the best part is still “the excitement of trying to see a deer and being out with nature.”

»ckemp@brandonsun.com

»Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp