Ethnography: Deer Hunting Culture

I really struggled with what to do my ethnography blog post on.  Options that popped into my head were things like Justin Timberlake Fan Club websites and musical concerts, but I decided that those were too accessible to me. I decided to go with something I like to refer to as “Deer Hunting Culture.” A couple of weekends ago my boyfriend’s family was in town.  The conversations that consumed a large amount of our time revolved around the activity of deer hunting because the season opener in Wisconsin over Thanksgiving weekend is a time when all the men in my boyfriend’s immediate and extended family head up to the cabin (or man cave) and participate in this activity. To me, this means waking up early, and sitting outside in the cold for hours upon hours for the opportunity to possibly see one deer. But, alas, it is much more than that, as I have learned through listening to their conversations.  First of all, during this conversation, my boyfriend stated that he was nervous for deer hunting because of the drama that would ensue. That’s right, DEER HUNTING DRAMA. Who knew? In addition, there is also deer hunting etiquette, which I will delve into more deeply later.  Now, my boyfriend has told me many a time that I can be a little dramatic at times- I fully own and accept this accusation, however, he has always FAILED to tell me that his life can get a little dramatic at times too.  One might ask, “What could possibly cause deer hunting drama?” According to my boyfriend, it is always a fight for which deer stand each person gets.  Should it be based on family ties (my boyfriend’s father is not directly related to the uncles that own the cabin they hunt at) or should it be based on who sets all of the stands up, the person that happens to be my boyfriend’s father?  I would say in my oh-so-dramatic head of mine that it should be based on who takes the time to set all of the stands up, that person should get first choice.  However, this is not the case.  Apparently during decision-making time these rough and rugged men turn into emotional creatures that whine and complain about something as simple as a deer stand.  Furthermore, there is a set of rules, or “etiquette” involved in the activity of deer hunting. As I have been informed, sometimes the DNR regulates on if you have to shoot a doe first before a buck.  This, in addition to the deer stand dilemma, is another source of drama for the crew.  Apparently, sometimes you can cheat the system if you see a buck that is within range and shoot it and then call to your comrades to hook you up with a doe when they see them.  Some men in the crew though take this responsibility lightly. They see a buck, shoot it without getting a doe first, and then call it a weekend and wait for someone else to get them a doe.  Unfair as it may seem, it is the truth of what goes on at deer camp, and I have valiantly uncovered the hypocrisy.

I decided to take this observation one step further and really immerse myself in the culture I have been speaking about.  The next weekend, I joined my boyfriend in a pheasant hunting expedition. I was more of a spectator/backpack carrier/complainer, but I was interested to witness the interactions between him and the other hunters. One thing that I noticed is that you always want to “one up” the individual you are talking to in regards to one’s own hunting experiences/knowledge.  It is sort of like a fight for the alpha-male position, a fight that I find absolutely hilarious.

In conclusion, I find it interesting the differences between what my boyfriend and I find dramatic. I may consider a comment that a friend made to another completely mind blowing whereas he thinks it is nothing. This also works the other way as well, with him and his doe dilemma and all the other drama and etiquette that surrounds deer camp.