In past years, when deer season opened on a Monday, the few days that preceded were always something special. Old friends gathered, bringing stories, laughter, and the excitement of the hunt that was just around the corner. There was always plenty of good food, cold drinks, and cutthroat poker games around the card table. There was a mixture of people who hunted, some who didn’t and some who came just to hang out by the fire, but mostly, it was about being together, enjoying the simple things, and making memories. Before the early mornings and long hours in the woods, these were the moments that made deer season special to me.
Growing up we had Rohanna’s cabin, Wermlinger’s hunting camp, and McNay’s hayfield. Over the years, the deer camp has evolved into something much bigger than hunting. What once centered almost entirely around the pursuit of whitetails has become more of a tradition built on friendship, family, storytelling, and the simple enjoyment of being together. The deer might still be the reason everyone marks the calendar and heads into the woods, but for many, the memories made around camp have become just as important as what happens out in the field.
McNay’s Hunting Camp
Years ago, deer camps often meant a real camp. It might have been a small cabin tucked away in the mountains, an old hunting shack with a wood stove, or a family camp passed down through generations. These places were more than just somewhere to sleep between hunts. They were gathering spots where generations came together, where stories were shared, meals were cooked, and hunting traditions were passed down. The walls often held memories of seasons past, with old photographs, mounted deer heads, and stories that somehow got a little better every year.
But times change, and for many of us, so have deer camps. Today, not every camp has four walls, a roof, or even a place to hang your hat. Sometimes, deer camp is nothing more than a bonfire burning in a field, a few trucks parked nearby, some folding chairs, and a group of friends gathered around the flames. There’s no cabin to clean, no fancy setup, and no need for much of anything beyond a warm fire and good company. Yet somehow, those simple gatherings can create some of the best memories of the entire season.
The conversations around those fires aren’t always about hunting. Sure, there are stories about the big buck that got away, the deer someone saw on the way in, or the shot that didn’t go quite as planned. But there are also stories about work, family, old times, and everything else life brings along. There’s plenty of laughing, having a drink with friends, a little good-natured ribbing, and the kind of conversations that can only happen when people slow down long enough to enjoy each other’s company.
In a world that seems to move faster every year, the deer camp has become a reason to stop, reconnect, and enjoy the moment. Some show up before daylight, hoping to fill a tag. Others come around later, just to sit by the fire, catch up with old friends, and be part of something they’ve looked forward to all year.
And maybe that’s the biggest change of all. Deer camp isn’t necessarily defined by a location anymore. It’s defined by the people who show up, the traditions they carry on, and the memories they make together.
Whether it’s an old cabin deep in the woods or a bonfire glowing in a harvested field, the heart of deer camp remains the same. The hunt may bring everyone together, but it’s the friendships, laughter, and shared experiences that keep them coming back year after year. In the end, the biggest trophy might not be hanging on the wall at all. It might be the time spent together around the fire.
