WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-The Deer Camp Tradition
Member Center:
Middlesex, Vermont - November 13, 2009
Tradition runs deep at this deer camp in Middlesex.
"I can remember being 10 years old with my father, sitting underneath that pine tree right there," Bob Nelson recalled.
Nelson has been coming here for as long as he can remember; first as a young boy with family, more recently with friends. Seven others will join him over the course of the weekend. It's a gathering that's become a pilgrimage as the guys return year after year.
"One guy I met in first-grade, another in fifth-grade, and they're just lifelong family friends," Nelson said.
Antlers, sports pennants, and pictures of hunts past line the walls of deer camp, creating a sense of nostalgia.
"That's my dad Carroll. That's myself," Nelson pointed.
And there are things that happen here like clockwork year after year.
"We do have a drink or two at night. We play some poker," Nelson said.
One of the most important traditions is the food. Bob Nelson's wife will tell you he can't cook, but come hunting season he magically becomes this camp's version of a real life Betty Crocker.
"I'm camp Betty, yep. Just Betty," Nelson said.
On this day Betty and Eddy are cooking up a fresh pot of venison stew; stew that's eaten on the eve of hunting season every year, always cooked on the old woodstove.
"You have to have venison," Nelson said. "To us it's a good luck charm having venison the night before. It's a good luck thing."
"The food in deer camp is a plus," Ed Gowans said. "We do not eat boxed food. We do not eat anything that isn't home cooked."
A pork roast is always eaten on Saturday-- pea soup on Thursday... Just one of many things that make deer camp so special on a weekend that's about a whole lot more than just hunting.
"It's not about dragging one home," Gowans explained. "It's about being with these guys and being in the woods and the food, the friends. We look forward to it all year long. It's always in the back of your mind as far as I'm concerned."
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
Related Story:
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
