Thanksgiving week in the mountains and valleys of West Virginia is arguably the most anticipated week in the entire year for a large number of residents in this state.

I regularly hear or read that many West Virginians consider the firearm season that will open on Monday November 23^rd to be their favorite holiday of the year.  Although deer hunting is not considered a holiday nationwide and won’t be found on many desktop calendars, in West Virginia it is a holiday; and a very special one at that.

Deer season can and does mean many different things to many different people.  It’s deer camp meals and good stories to some, quality time spent with family or friends that everyday life doesn’t allow, the only time some hunters have off of work to get out and try to fill a tag and/or the freezer, or one last chance to harvest the buck that proved to be too elusive during the archery season.

I consider myself a bow hunter first and foremost.  I spend a lot of energy both physically and mentally pursuing whitetail deer with archery equipment in hand.  Everyday I spend afield during bow season is one that I hope will bring me closer to achieving my goal of hooking up with a great buck.

When the opportunity to carry a rifle instead of my bow arises I change drastically.  My mental approach, tactics and goals are very different. 

First, I don’t take rifle hunting too serious.  Instead, I focus on just being out and enjoying the opportunity to take part in the great sport of hunting.  I hunt different tracks of land and always do it with good friends.  Harvesting a deer becomes unimportant during rifle season, the overall experience takes over.

I usually spend my time watching what I believe are good escape routes for deer into heavy cover.  We all know that routine deer behavior will change very quickly once the hunting pressure hits on opening day.  The woods will be overwhelmed with hunters, all terrain vehicles, human odor and rifle blasts.  Things that are certain to put deer in survival mode very quickly.

Last, my goals are focused on just having a great time.  That may be in the woods, back at the truck conversing with my hunting partners or even at the local meat processor listening to the stories of the day from other hunters.

The point is that Thanksgiving week is an opportunity to just relax and enjoy life.  It is fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, family and friends and just old fashioned simple pleasures.  Pleasures that are far and few between in a world of technology, deadlines and financial struggles.

Good luck, hunt safe and make sure you enjoy every moment of the West Virginia rifle season.  Those moments can range from a great laugh in deer camp to a great buck in the scope.  If deer season has traditions for you, keep those traditions going.  Remember the great times past seasons have provided and continue to add more memories to the list.

Make sure you update me on your hunting stories, pictures or comments as the week goes on.  I love hearing a good hunting story or seeing a great photo.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Send your stories, pictures or comments to ernie@wvradio.com.