My 2024 Deer Hunting Season

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Before I begin, I wanted to take some time to address the state of the United States, specifically this new administration’s carpet bombing of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and programs.

Happy Black History Month! Go learn something you should have years ago.

Is my freezer half full?

I’m writing this week’s post on the final day of deer season in Michigan. It’s been a great year, and although I didn’t reach my goal of harvesting four deer, there’s a lot to be thankful for and proud of during the 2024-2025 hunting season.

On the plus side, I was able to harvest two full-grown does this year, including my second doe, from a new location that should become a regular hunting spot. I made several trips to the field this year and helped guide a friend into hunting, which was the best part of this season.

I also didn’t make the mistake of harvesting two deer at a time and butchering them myself. However, if I had to process two deer on my own again, I’d be much better prepared to handle that challenge. Primarily because of the gear (and expertise from Ashley) I invested in during the season. Some of this gear, like a quality hunting blind and hunting chair (Ashley again), should increase my chances of harvesting deer. The other bits of equipment, like a place to hang my deer in the garage (yup, Ashley) and a stainless steel table (not Ashley, but she approves), will make processing harvested deer more efficient.

It’s incredible how much confidence one gains from having dependable tools for the job. Hunting from a blind that conceals your presence, allowing the deer to come into range for a humane kill, is so much better than the experience I had in my first blind. On one hunt, we missed a deer that walked right up to our blind. Because of a restricted view, Ashley didn’t notice the doe was there until the animal was close enough to the blind to check the size of our pupils. It took her all of three seconds to realize the crossbow slowly swinging in her direction meant her serious harm. Three seconds and a loud alarm call later, all five deer in the field were gone.

I wrote about how my crossbow scope snafu torpedoed my confidence. That confidence returned when I solved the problem (no thanks to the outfitter), and even though I didn’t make the best initial shot on the doe, I never worried that my crossbow would be a liability again.

Getting my sausage-making process going again was another huge positive for this year. Before the deer sausages I made this past November, it had been nearly five years since I had used my giant meat syringe (aka sausage stuffer).

Lastly, and what always makes wild food so fulfilling, is the people. This year, I made connections with so many different people around deer meat and deer hunting that I’m bursting with excitement to build community leading up to next fall.

I've given away the majority of the deer I harvested this year to family and friends. I’ve also met a dozen folks interested in deer hunting and processing, and it’s odd to be considered a veteran deer hunter in most places this past year.

I’ve got plans within plans for a fantastic 2025 deer season!

Or is my freezer half empty?

On the downside, I’m already almost out of deer meat! I wanted four this year and have managed the two does I harvested earlier in the season as if I would have two more. That didn’t happen, and while I don’t regret giving away my meat, I can already taste the regret of not having any venison come springtime.

As I mentioned, the second doe I harvested didn’t die as quickly as I would have liked. The shot I took through the side window of our blind couldn’t have been easier, but somehow, I wasn’t steady enough to make it a fatal shot. The doe went down and stayed down, but she needed another bolt to expire. She did seconds after I pulled the trigger, but I would have preferred for her to remain as oblivious to her fate as she was right before the first shot.

Another negative was me freezing my ass off on one of the unsuccessful hunts and being concerned I had gotten frostbite. On my final hunt of the year last weekend, I got chilled almost to the same extent and discovered that my worries were a little overblown. In my attempt to drive deer back towards our blind with a failed flanking maneuver, I found that my numb toes and knees warmed up quickly. My right heel, however, is still tender from the cold.

Three things I’m changing for the 2025 hunting season.

And that brings me to the things I want not to repeat this coming fall.

First, I plan to hunt much more consistently at the season open. I wanted four deer, and the hunting got more challenging as the season progressed. The deer were more active late in the season, but the conditions for hunting were much more difficult because of the cold.

Second, I want to help more people get into hunting. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have amazing hunting mentors in my life, and now that we’ve settled in Michigan, I am eager to pay that goodwill forward. Balancing the demands of academia, parenting, and business is challenging, but my goal is to hunt more with new people so that we can all do better with the food we consume.

Lastly, I plan to rework my butcher technique. In another life, I would have become a butcher professionally. I enjoy the process of animal food craft and admire those who do it well. I don’t know their political affiliations, but the Bearded Butchers work with food in a way I admire. They have fantastic techniques and have created a lucrative business with some of the best instructional content.

I was bummed not to get another deer before discovering this video. I may have an opportunity to harvest a deer before the fall hunting season (through nuisance permits), but regardless, I will process my next deer precisely like this.

One bonus goal for next season is to learn how to tan hides. I enjoy sowing and would love to start making all sorts of clothing, bags, and other things out of buckskin.

Here’s hoping your 2024 wild food adventures went well!

CONSIDER THIS

Giving Merino Wool Another Try

I’ve owned Merino wool clothing before. I actually wear merino wool long underwear when I hunt. The primary issue I’ve had with Merino wool shirts is that they aren’t very durable. But I’ve been intrigued by claims of companies like Unbound and Wool & Prince that someone can wear their shirts for weeks straight without needing to wash the garments.

I plan to test both brands during the first half of the year. Their clothing is much more expensive than standard cotton, but if their claims for odor management and durability are true, then my wardrobe is about to get much smaller.

If these new threads work out, I’ll be able to save a lot of space in my suitcase for three straight weeks of travel starting in May. I’ll be in Wyoming, then Atlanta, and then to India and back. I’d love to travel with just my backpack and carry-on for the entire trip. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my clothing investments will pay off!

NEW ON YOUTUBE!

It Really Was…

We’re deep in soup and stew season, so do yourself a favor and check out my recipe for the best venison stew you’ve ever had!

Thanks for reading!

-Jonathan