Traditions
 

The first time I went hunting I was told horor stories about the things my family would do to newbies in the family on their first hunt in NM. Although I had heard about having to eat deer droppings and the heart of my first deer, it didnt turn out that bad. I didn't get it so bad but i did have to clean my deer and my grandfathers deer, drag my deer along with my grandfathers and uncles the next day, I had no deer-carrier rights, and had to help shin all three I was around for. I had to drag one deer almost a mile, but I promise i loved every minute of it. It seemed that it was almost some sort of right-of-passage.

Just this fall I was with some college buddies and a friend shot his first deer and I had to clean it. No big deal untill I learned that the friend that was with us whos land we were on, had killed 10+ deer and someone else always cleaned it for hin. I think that is sad.
What are some of ya'lls traditions and do you think they are a good thing for first time hunters?

RE: Traditions
 

welcome st. edshunter, i went through the same poop during my inititation, well some people really have a hard time with it, me i just look at it as part of nature, i don't mind cleaning deer, its really not that bad and is most times the reward of hard work, i kind of question the person who will never clean a deer, but i got a cousin that prefers not to clean deer, he will but he'd rather not, it's just never been that big a deal to me. some folks can't watch er stuff on t.v. but to me it's not that bad, till they have to break bones on living people[:-], but at several places i've hunted, i see people that just don't know what to do, so i'll step up and do the best i can, no different than livestock. but i'd be willing to bet that , he may not know how

RE: Traditions
 

On the first buck all of the newbies get their face bloodied at least some. This year my grandson shot his first buck and while he protested, he got a little on his face just for a couple of pictures.
On cleaning deer, I have a friend that has killed over 200 and while he will dress one, he is not very good at it (hair on the meat and always cuts the gut a time or two).

RE: Traditions
 

Chew the tarsal gland

RE: Traditions
 

This is one of those times that I'm very glad that I'm self taught ...

RE: Traditions
 

I got a few camo shirts with the tails cut off...............:D