As archery hunting season comes to a close on November 22 and small game on November 29, hunters all over Pennsylvania and in Bellefonte are gearing up for the upcoming rifle season, which is arguably the most popular hunting season in the state.
During the season, they hunt for either a female deer (doe), or what all hunters hope to see, a male deer (buck). Rifle season stretches for a long period going from November 30 all the way to December 14, which also includes a Sunday, when hunters can hunt on December 1.
While there is a lot of preparation that goes into hunting, the hunters still manage to carve out time to have fun.
“I really look forward to hanging out at camp and in the woods with everyone,” junior Logan Rarrick said.
Hunting creates many memories, whether they are good or bad. There will always be unforgettable memories like the hunts with your dad or grandfather, or whoever it may be that brought you into hunting. The memory of a first deer or buck is also a big one for many people in the sport.
“My favorite hunting memory is shooting my 15th deer, which was an 8-point, this year with my brother,” junior Hunter Guiswite said.
If you don’t have a lot to do or a lot of hobbies, a lot people will suggest hunting as it can bring excitement, relief, and relaxation to your life no matter how seriously you take it. Many hunters will say the best part about hunting is sitting there getting things off your mind in the beautiful woods.
“When I go hunting, I look forward to bonding time and the new stories I’m going to tell. Whether it’s my brothers, dad, or friends that I’m out with, it’s always an adventure. Hunting is not always about the reward that you get from coming home with an animal, but the opportunities that God gives you,” freshman Amani Guiswite said.
Many think of hunting as a sport where you just go into the woods and kill an animal and eat it, but for many, it is a special way to decompress after a long week or day in the silence of the woods patiently waiting.
