Messages

Deer hunting is a huge part of who I am. I’ve got two mounts in my house, a 10-point and an eight-point, shot by each of my paternal grandparents in 1942. The eight-point was my grandfather’s. My grandmother shot the 10-point… and gave birth to my father three months later! The Venison Hamburger Pie Recipe is hers.

Before I was old enough to go, I remember listening to my grandmother and other relatives’ deer hunting stories and wanting so badly to be a part of that conversation.

My first year out, I shot a doe about 45 minutes after sunrise. Beginner’s luck. When my father and I got to it, I was hooting and hollering, and he had to tell me to be quiet. That was 36 years ago, and I was hooked.

I like getting to my spot well before sunup and watching the woods wake up. It makes me feel alive. There was a time when if I didn’t get a deer, it would ruin my season. Now, it doesn’t bother me at all. I walk out with a smile on my face, relaxed, ready for good fellowship and better luck tomorrow.

The biggest conservationists I know are hunters because we want to be able to continue that joy, and if we don’t conserve, that’s not possible. I’ve always felt very strongly about doing whatever we can to take care of nature so that it can take care of us, and I’m thrilled it’s my job.

Happy hunting to you and yours.

Alan Morrison
Director, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

For many Hoosier families, including my own, taking to the field in deer season is a tradition held close to the heart. This guide’s cover brings back many fond memories of youth hunting days with my boys, all three of us in the stand, waiting for a deer to come by. They called it clown car hunting, because we were packed so closely together, but those hunts proved successful, both in harvesting deer and making memories.

Over the years, we’ve amassed a vast collection of family venison recipes. As with so many other folks, hunting deer creates cherished moments for us both in the field and around the table. I love exchanging new recipes like venison pastrami with fellow hunters and encourage you to keep sharing new ways to cook up your latest harvest.

Preserving these traditions for future generations takes everyone. Our staff have worked hard this past year implementing changes to regulations and responding to disease outbreaks to ensure a better hunting experience for you and to maintain the health of the herd. But we can’t do it alone. Conservation work requires cooperation, and I’m grateful to the amazing Hoosier hunters doing their part.

I know that in the coming seasons, we will continue to learn and adapt, taking steps together to build memories and ensure the next generations can do the same for years to come.

Amanda Wuestefeld
Director, DNR Fish & Wildlife