The 2023 Impaired Mobility Deer Hunt at Proving Ground Farm (PGF) is behind us now and hunters had a fair amount of success in the field.  Two deer were harvested during the Ohio deer gun season when the Seneca Conservation District hosted four hunters per day for five days.  Naturally, this event wouldn’t happen without the tireless efforts of the Tiffin-Seneca County Izaak Walton League members (Ike’s).  This work not only occurs during gun week but extends through the summer and fall, repairing and updating the blinds and servicing the feeders. 

For the five days during gun week, Ike members arrive at PGF during the pre-dawn hours to prepare a hot breakfast for the hunters before they get the hunters to their assigned blinds.  Following breakfast, the Ike’s activities shift to lunch mode and also await calls from hunters who may have bagged a deer to provide those lucky hunters further assistance.  Lunch and snacks are provided by various people including Ike members, the Seneca County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and private individuals.

As hunters are brought in for lunch, the top priority for them is to simply get warmed up.  After the hunters thaw out, they are served lunch and then the banter begins.  Several of the hunters have participated in this hunt since the hunt’s inception in the late 1990’s and have become good friends with the Ike volunteers.  So many conversations begin with “remember the time when…” and end with light-hearted teasing and chuckles.  Hunters fill their pockets with snacks and head out for the afternoon hunt.

Reflecting on my five years of working for the SCD at these hunts, it reinforces in me that adage, “it’s not the end that counts, it’s the means” as it relates to deer hunting and deer camp.  When it comes to deer harvested this year, we hit 2 for 20.  I believe, in terms of good times and fellowship, we’re batting a thousand.