Everyone makes such a big deal about Christmas; I mean for goodness sake people start getting ready to celebrate it as soon as Halloween is over. Don't get me wrong I'm all about the red and green, but I think that Oklahoman's haven't quite hopped on that bandwagon yet. We have another holiday to celebrate that last longer than Christmas and Thanksgiving, we have deer season.

Deer hunting is the most popular sport in Oklahoma; yes you heard it, even more popular than football. "Gasp", it can't be true, but yet it is, more people participate in gun season deer hunting than all you tailgaters combined. Growing up in a rural area hunting is a way of life. Successfully getting your first deer is almost a right of passage into being a true Oklahoman. Boys and girls alike participate and draw a sense of connection with the art of dawning the cameo and slipping into the woods in the early morning. While a lot of talk about deer hunting is about who brings home that awesome trophy buck, I think it's more than that, actually I know it is. For some who live in a rural community like the one I grew up in, deer meat is a staple in your every day food diet. Deer meat is very lean and only has a slight game taste, sometimes it's undetectable if cooked a certain way. Some of my favorites include, deer chili on a cold December night, deer jerky that's prepared and smoked by my father and lastly summer sausage, which goes with anything and is a great snack food.

What I think keeps us, as Oklahomans addicted to this sport is our love for the outdoor lifestyle. Something about silently slipping into your tree stand or blind and watching the sunrise just brings you a peace of mind. Your breathing sounds so loud at first but before long you've quieted down and your heart beats slowly as you see nature wake for another day. Feeling the woods come to life around you as the light slowly warms the air; listening to the birds wake up calls, and the chatter of grey squirrels keeps you still. Keeping your eyes peeled, straining to see dark shapes moving in the morning glow. Listening with every ounce of your being, so you don't move and scare off that buck of a lifetime. When suddenly the crisp snap of a branch silences the woods and you know something is coming, your adrenaline spikes as you see one step out from the tree line and into your winter wheat field.

The competition, the food and the connectedness, all of this is what keeps us coming back and why deer hunting keeps us all engaged and in awe. Oklahomans are always swept up in the buck fever and we can't help but get excited. So much more goes into making this past time and way of life successful than just luck of the draw. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation does a phenomenal job of keeping our state a top competitor in deer herd hunting and gun safety. If you would like to learn more about deer hunting regulations, rules or just random facts just click the link below.

http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/species/...