Deer season means big bucks

The wind -- one of the many enemies of deer hunting -- blows just before the sun rises. Coveralls are sprayed with the scent of dirt to mask the smell of human.

The dark forest gives way, and an entirely natural blind, orchestrated perfectly to be so, comes into view to the right.

Seats are taken, movement is stopped and guns are readied. Silence.

A.J. Hendershott, regional supervisor for outreach and education division of the Missouri Department of Conservation, hunts near his property on the opening day of deer season Saturday. (Amity Shedd)

Hunters took to their blinds and stands Saturday morning for opening day of firearms deer-hunting season.

During Missouri's deer season last year, 2,038 deer were harvested in Cape Girardeau County, with 1,837 harvested during firearms hunting season, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The department estimates 520,000 Missouri hunters hit the deer trails each year trying to score their biggest buck, generating about 12,000 jobs and boosting the state's economy by about $1 billion.

Owner Lanell Lange rings up a rifle magazine and some ammunition Friday for a customer getting ready for the main firearm deer hunting season at Shooters Gun Shop in Cape Girardeau. The season opened Saturday. (Adam Vogler)

From hunter-orange clothing and ammunition to meat processing, gas and coffee, hunters have a large effect on the local economy.

Roger Wibbenmeyer is the president of Stonie's Sausage Shop in Perryville, Mo. The shop opened in 1959 and is in its fourth generation of ownership.

Wibbenmeyer said his shop will handle about 1,200 deer-processing orders this year. If each order totals about $100, that's quite a bit of money, he said. Making summer sausage and snack sticks from the deer brings in even more money.

Over the years, Stonie's employees learned to streamline meat processing, and the shop hires temporary employees for the deer-season rush, Wibbenmeyer said, which is the midst of the holiday season.

"It's a very busy time for us," he said. "We've gotten to the point where we're very efficient now, but it's still a lot of work."

Deer season is a "big boom" for the economy, Wibbenmeyer said, and Stonie's is not the only shop to get its cut.

"Deer season and its impact, it just goes on and on," he said, referring to customers from Kansas and Florida who visit the shop and have their deer meat shipped to their home state.

Once a prize buck is killed, many wish to hang their accomplishment on the wall.

Mike Goodwin, owner of Southeast Taxidermy in Jackson, said deer season makes up about 40 percent of the shop's business in a year.

During the offseason, when customers trickle in at two a day, "deer season is just a huge rush because it's all crammed in 10 days. It's long hours, and it's busy." Goodwin said.

Deer taxidermy takes about a year, and Goodwin said he and his other full-time employee are finishing last year's deer-season pieces.

Missouri deer-hunting season not only brings native hunters, but from states all over the country, he said.

"The economy that is driven by [deer hunting] is ridiculous," Goodwin said.

Shooters Gun Shop in Cape Girardeau on Friday afternoon saw hunters buying last-minute hunting supplies for the weekend.

Owner Lanell Lange said the shop experienced the typical increase in business it sees before deer season.

But with a recent ammunition shortage, "I don't know what to call normal anymore," Lange said of the shop's business.

The pastime isn't just an economic boost -- it is a long tradition with some families.

A.J. Hendershott, regional supervisor for outreach and education division of the Missouri Department of Conservation, plans to take his son and daughter out for their first deer hunt with a gun in their hands this weekend.

Hunting allows people to spend time with those they care about and share unique experiences in nature, Hendershott said.

"It's a shared bond," he said.

Life lessons also are learned while hunkered down, waiting for a flash of movement from a deer.

Learning the "big picture" of where food comes from and being able to harvest a deer, process its meat and share the fruits of labor demonstrate the lesson of living off the land and the need to respect it and keep it clean and healthy, Hendershott said.

The lack of instant gratification is another lesson Hendershott said his children have learned by hunting, as harvesting a deer each year is not guaranteed.

Hendershott's favorite part of hunting is the solitude. He spoke of watching leaves fall, animals stir and hawks flying overhead.

"Solitude is very pleasant -- restoring, almost -- more for me than I realize," he said.

Hendershott spoke of missed chances, elusive deer and beautiful scenery only the right place at the right time can provide.

"That's hunting," he said simply.

Shots could be heard soon after daybreak Saturday morning on Hendershott's property just past Burfordville. But not as many as usual -- changing weather was part of the blame.

Hendershot did not kill a deer Saturday morning, but the season has only begun.

He was hopeful his children would make up for it with a kill he did not, or may not, get this year -- and pass the enjoyment of hunting to their children.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent addresses:

1507 Edgemont Blvd, Perryville, MO

1019 County Road 335, Jackson, MO

335 Christine St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Burfordville, MO