On the first day of deer season, the town of Claysville gets its shot

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Monday, December 02, 2002 | Michael A. Fuoco

[Willie Green]

The coffee's been brewed, the pastries are freshly baked and the eggs and bacon await frying.

Fear not, hungry deer hunters, restaurants and markets in Claysville, Washington County, are ready for your visit today, the first day for hunting deer with firearms.

[Willie Green]

Monday after Thanksgiving.
Right on schedule.

[dirtboy]

Monday after Thanksgiving. Right on schedule.

Yep. I live right on the edge of Michaux State Forest. Heard occassional shots all weekend. One shot, one deer. Two shots, maybe one deer. Three or more shots, no deer.

[Pietro]

It ain't often you see Claysville mentioned here on FR.

But 221 N through Taylorstown looked like the PA turnpike this morning around 6:00AM.

Best of luck to all them boys in orange and I pray they're all home safe tonight.

[Billthedrill]

Two years ago when driving through the little metropolis of Caledonia, MN, on the day before hunting season started, I happened upon the World's Most Perfect Store. I know this because painted on the outside, in two-foot-high block letters, was the following: "CIGARETTES BEER ICE AMMO."

I did go inside. I didn't see any copies of Vanity Fair or New York magazine. No ties, no Gucci loafers, no pantyhose...I kinda liked the place...

[dirtboy]

"And we sell a lot of sausage and gravy over biscuits," Ron Allum said. "That's a big seller at $2.40."

They needed lots of fuel to sit still and keep warm, especially on Sunday - front came through with below-freezing temps and 30mph winds.

[mountaineer]

The state hunting area mentioned in the article is just down the road from me, and Claysville is a short jaunt over a hill or two. Of course, across the border here in WV, the hunters have been at it since last week. It's good to see the deer-laden pickups lined up at the local game checking stations (congratulations, boys!) although I have to say I nearly hit two deer this a.m. on the way to Wheeling, so there's still plenty out there to be bagged.

[mc5cents]

It's the second week of deer camp, I got a swollen head.
I'm lying with the dustballs underneath my bed.
An icy breeze is blowing in through the tongue and groove.
My pants are frozen to the floor, and I'm too sick to move.
I didn't drink too many, only thirty cans of beer.
It must have been that last shot that put me under here.

It's the second week of deer camp, and all the guys are here.
We drink, play cards and shoot the bull, but never shoot no deer.
The only time we leave the camp is when we go for beer.
The second week of deer camp is the greatest time of year!

I remember playing poker, that weasel must have won.
He's wearing me new swampers and sleeping with my gun.
He's snoring like a chain saw, the camp smells like a dump.
Someone's dirty underwear is hanging on the pump.
Mukku's in the wood box, Eener's passed out on the stove.
His flannel shirt is smoking, I wonder if he knows.

It's the second week of deer camp, and all the guys are here.
We drink, play cards and shoot the bull, but never shoot no deer.
The only time we leave the camp is when we go for beer.
The second week of deer camp is the greatest time of year!

Vito's crawling through the door, I think he got frostbite.
He passed out in the outhouse, and he's been there since last night.
Then Goofus stumbles through the door, he says he got a buck.
He was coming from the wayside and he killed it with his truck.
The Musti cracks a beer and says, "It's time to celebrate!"
Goofus got the first buck since 1968.

It's the second week of deer camp, and all the guys are here.
We drink, play cards and shoot the bull, but never shoot no deer.
The only time we leave the camp is when we go for beer.
The second week of deer camp is the greatest time of year!

[Willie Green]

front came through with below-freezing temps and 30mph winds.

Yeah, I saw where it caused quite a headache on the 'pike:
Pa. Turnpike pileup causes 60-mile traffic jam

But a good dusting of snow on the ground is a blessing for the hunters.

[Willie Green]

Of course, it the wind is still howling, the deer will just hunker down and they won't see a thing.

[dirtboy]

But a good dusting of snow on the ground is a blessing for the hunters.

Plus a strong wind can be quite an advantage - puts a deer's sense of smell and hearing to only working upwind...

[Willie Green]

Yeah, if it's not blowing too strong.

[Hacksaw]

"And we sell a lot of sausage and gravy over biscuits," Ron Allum said. "That's a big seller at $2.40."

Ummmm!!!

[Hacksaw]

While I do not hunt, I support it for game animals. However, If there is a point restriction or an inch restriction, do the hunters have to amble up with a tape measure?

[TroutStalker]

Is Claysville in the foothills of the Rockies?

I'm wondering because in the movie The Deer Hunter the guys drive out of Pittsburgh into the Rocky Mountains to hunt.

[Willie Green]

However, If there is a point restriction or an inch restriction, do the hunters have to amble up with a tape measure?

The Pa. regulations Deer Seasons & Bag Limits(PDF file) aren't overly complex, but as with any state, should be understood thoroughly before venturing out. There is a procedure to follow if a "mistake" is made. It's always best to make sure what it is you're shooting at before pulling the trigger.

[Willie Green]

That's a mighty long drive.
I think Claysville is a little closer.

[TroutStalker]

It was only an hour or two in the movie. I guess the director didn't think the Appalachians were scenic enough.

[Willie Green]

Must've been an awful long movie if they spent an hour or two just on the "gettin' there" scene.
Was there an intermission?

[mountaineer]

I think that's it, that the hills of the Ohio Valley just weren't scenic enough. When I saw the movie, some of which was filmed just 18 miles from where we live (and not far from where the story takes place), I got very confused at the sight of the Colorado-like mountains. They obviously took a wrong turn in Beaver County, or somethin'!

[I_dont_know]

There may be odd knockon effects from the new regs. I live outside Claysville, and there are _many_ deer around here. There's a Black Tongue outbreak in Greene County, just south of here. Groups of 15/20 deer all found dead. I haven't heard as much shooting so far this year. We may end up not thinning the population enough, and losing skads to disease.

As an aside, the sausage at Allum's is really excellent; the local meat packing plant has some of the best product I've ever had.