Students get ready for buck fever as hunting season begins

Sept.15 marked the beginning of the fall hunting season in Michigan. It was the opening day for small game and some fowl.

For many people, this was one of their most important days of the year. Around 753,000 people hunt in the State of Michigan, 7.5% of the total population.

“I hunt because I enjoy the thrill of it. I enjoy the competitive aspect of man versus beast, ” said Tom Burrell, 22, of Grayling. Burrell has been hunting his entire life. He hunts whitetail deer and turkey at his grandparents farm in Walkerville, Mich. He thinks that this year’s deer season is going to be a good one compared to other years.

Like Burrell, many people hunt because of the thrill, but other people hunt because someone close to them taught them how to do it or they grew up hunting and being outdoors.

Adults are not the only ones who enjoy the sport of hunting. A large group of students who attend MHS also enjoy hunting.

“ I hunt because it was something that my dad taught me how to do it and his grandpa taught him, ” said Hunter Bartholomew, 16, a junior at MHS. “I do it to be around friends and family and, of course, I hunt because there is always a chance that I can shoot the buck of a lifetime.” Bartholomew hunts whitetail deer, small game, and fowl.

Many other students share a similar love for the sport.

“I grew up hunting with my dad and I find shooting guns fun, and I also enjoy eating the meat of most of the animals I hunt,” said Henry Combs, 16, a junior at MHS. Combs grew up hunting and enjoys the sport and being outdoors. He hunts squirrels, birds, and deer behind his house in Highland Recreation area. Combs also hunts moose and caribou in Alaska. “Last year´s season was across the board bad for Michigan, so yes I think it can’t get much worse than that.”

All of these hunters are all excited for this year’s hunting seasons and they all can’t wait to get outdoors.  The bow season continues for deer until Nov. 15, when regular firearm season opens for 15 days. For more information about specific hunting seasons, go to http://www.michigan.gov/dnr.