Every year, people from all around Iowa participate in hunting season. There are many different seasons for hunting, the most popular being shotgun season for deer. Many students at Atlantic High School will find themselves out in the field either by themselves or with their friends and family this year. A lot can go into deer season, so it’s important to know how to remain safe and abide by the laws.

Chase McLaren, a student at Atlantic High School, shot his first deer when he was 7 years old, a six-pointer he’ll never forget. He described the event as being “really exciting” and “a big adrenaline rush.” Despite shooting his first deer with a shotgun, his favorite method of hunting deer is with a bow because shooting them with is a gun, “isn’t enough of a challenge.” McLaren’s most memorable experience while hunting happened last weekend when he got “a really big one,” one that he plans on getting mounted. Overall, McLaren thinks that hunting is a “relaxing experience” where he can just “get away from everything.”

While hunting season can be an exciting time for many Iowans, Cass County DNR Officer Grant Gelly reminds everyone that it’s important to abide by Iowa laws and to stay safe while hunting. Gelly offered a large amount of information to help out hunters this season. Gelly said that hunting is open to anybody no matter what age, but says that in order to hunt alone, one must be 12 years old and have completed a hunters education course. In order to legally hunt, there is a basic list of items that a hunter must address before going out into the field. Hunters must have completed a hunter’s education course and purchase a hunting license that includes a habitat license, a hunting license, and a tag for the appropriate animal that they are hunting.

Gelly says that the biggest hunting season in Iowa is the second shotgun season for deer because it is longer and is when they see larger groups of hunters. Anytime a hunter goes out it is very important that they wear the proper orange clothing to prevent being shot at by other hunters that may not realize they are a person or may just not see them.

To some, this is the most wonderful time of the year. There’s nothing better than getting that trophy buck that you’ve been chasing for a long time. While hunting is an activity that everyone should enjoy and have fun with, it is also very important that we remember to respect and pay attention to the rules and laws of hunting. Always remember to be safe, but have fun this deer season.