Season Opener proves fatal for deer

Well, the West River Deer Road Hunting Season is officially open. (This season is open in many states at this time of year, but I'm going to talk specifically about South Dakota guidelines.)

Hunting License. In South Dakota, you can get a learner's permit at age 14 and then an official hunting license once you reach the age of 16.

How often can you hunt? Every day. And there is no limit to the number of deer you can take each season.

Ammunition. The bigger the better and velocity is an important factor. As anyone who has watched the current CSI shows will know, the ammunition often becomes mutilated on impact, so a larger caliber will be more effective and will sustain less damage. A small caliber can definitely wound the prey, it sometimes will cause tremendous damage to the ammunition.

How will you know where to hunt? The government has placed signs along the road where good hunting is most likely. This type of hunting is most succesful just after sunset, but a chance sighting during daylight hours can also be accomplished. Hunters insurance is also important. Without it, you may have a disappointing and expensive experience.

Sometimes the other people in your hunting party show great surprise at your hunting prowess and exclaim that you could be a successful hunter while you are sleeping. I'm sure that this is just a surprise reaction and could be based mostly on jealousy.

This is a wonderful way to make new friends. Once you have successfully hit your target, you will get to meet people who stop along the road to admire the results of your hunting. A "Road Game Warden" on patrol will come to provide you with your "tag" to prove that it is a witnessed event.

Sometimes you also get to stay away from home in a motel where you can meet even more people who are interested in hearing the details of the hunting experience. You will even meet other hunters who will share some of their own experiences from road hunting days gone by.

Cost? Once you are finished with the hunt, you have to visit an expert who will tell you how much you will have to spend to repair your hunting equipment before the next hunt. Sometimes you even have to purchase all new equipment.

The initial guess is that my recent hunting experience could cost upwards of $3500 before I am ready to able to go road hunting again. But I think I've had enough of this experience and will choose to never participate again.