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Michigan hunter with decades of experience takes deer on Opening Day

Firearm deer season began this Friday, once again calling hunters to the woods of Northern Michigan. For many, hunting is a right of passage passed down through generations. “I’m 76 now and I’ve hunted since I was about 13, so I guess that’s about 63 years,” said Ray Hoekwater.

He has fond memories of going deer hunting with his father as a young boy. “When I was 13 I started hunting with my father and my uncles and I’ve been hunting ever since.” It’s a hobby Hoeckwater said was passed down in his family for generations. He claims the best thing about hunting is both the food and the family bonds it provides. “I just like the camaraderie of it. Last night, we got together with my cousin at his cabin, about thirteen of us there for a hunter’s supper.”

Hoeckwater reminisced on past years when the hunt didn’t always pan out. ”A lot of years I don’t get one, It’s not always a successful hunt, you never know where they’re gonna be and when they’re gonna come out.”

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But this opening day proved to be Hoeckwaters lucky day. He successfully took down a buck just hours into the hunt. “You wait for your heart to calm down a little bit so you can go out there and start working on the deer. Get him tagged and get him gutted out and take him into the processor.”

A prize he plans to proudly display and enjoy is the antlers. “It’s just something to brag about, they make poor soup, but it’s kind of nice to get a really nice symmetrical one that you can hang on the wall and look at for years to come,” said Hoeckwater. “Something to brag about to your kids and grandkids and the neighbors. It’s a lot of bragging rights.”

And for any newcomers to the woods this year, this 63-year hunting veteran says there’s one tip that’s served well over the decades. “Just be very patient and very quiet.”

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