Waking up at four in the morning and cramming into a Ford Ranger with his family, sophomore Ryan Block makes his way to the woods to take part in an annual tradition: deer hunting.

“It’s all about not having any cares and hanging out,” Block said. “It’s a fun way to spend a day.”
Hunting itself is a sport derived from the need to limit the population of animals for conservational purposes. Without the thinning of the population, human-deer interactions such as automobile accidents and garden property destruction may increase.
“Since European settlers killed all of their natural predators like wolves, mountain lions, and black bears, deer breed very often increasing risks,” environmental studies teacher and avid hunter for 22 years Joe Brocksmith said. “It’s important to keep them with a comfortable amount of space.”
A day of hunting usually consists of early rising due to the fact that deer do not move around too much in the daytime. After waiting in the woods in a stand or hunting blind the hunter tries to take down a prospective target.
“My brother Andy took down a five point buck this season,” Block said. “I didn’t get anything yet this year.”
Hunting is broken down into rifle season, muzzleloader season, does only season, and bow-hunting season. Some view hunting as a cruel act and deem it not necessary.
“It is important to educate people about the necessity of hunting and how it helps the environment,” Brocksmith said. “But remember to be professional about it.”