|
Deer Hunting is Popular in New Mexico
By Lance Crenshaw
contributing writer
Adam Agnew and his brother, Clint, pack the guns, tent, sleeping bags and other camping materials before they set out for Dagger Draw, an area west of Artesia, NM.
They are going to the draw for the ninth straight year. The reason? It’s deer hunting season, and Dagger Draw, according to the Agnew brothers, is where the big deer are.
“Hopefully we can get a trophy buck,” said Clint. “Then I can mount it in my living room.”
The Agnews have been deer hunting since they were both seven years old. Clint, the older of the two, has bagged four deer in his lifetime, including a monstrous 12-point two years ago.
Adam has had good luck as well. He has bagged three deer, including a decent nine-point last season.
Deer hunting is popular among students at New Mexico State University. The season, which runs from the first of November to around Thanksgiving, helps control deer populations around the state. According to Mike King, an employee of K-mart, the season is extremely busy this year.
“We have issued almost 15 to 20 deer hunting licenses per day,” said King. “And a bunch of the hunters have said that there is a surplus of deer in the state.”
A deer hunting license, which costs $26, is only one of the numerous things needed to go on a hunt. A hunter must have a high-powered rifle, such as a 30 x 6 or a 30 x 30, ammunition, warm clothes for cold weather, binoculars (optional), and tools to gut the deer.
All this can add up to a steep price, especially for college students. But for the Agnews, the thrill of actually getting a deer makes it all worthwhile.
“It’s a huge adrenaline rush when you get a deer,” says Clint. “I remember my first deer. My fingers were trembling when I pulled the trigger.”
Then, after a deer is killed, it must be taken to a butcher shop for the meat to be packaged. The Agnews use the deer meat throughout the year, and even make some “deer jerky” with the leftovers.
“There are a lot of people who are against hunting,” said Adam. “But we don’t kill for the thrill. We eat the meat throughout the year until the hunting season starts again.”
One of those people against deer hunting is Leslie Taylor. Her dad goes deer hunting every season, and it’s something she can’t stand.
“I just don’t see the point of shooting a poor, defenseless creature,” says Taylor. “What did a deer ever do to us?”
According to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s website, deer hunting is required to control populations. If there wasn’t a hunting season, deer would become a pest in the state.
There are poachers, though. And poaching is definitely illegal.
“People who poach are stupid,” said Adam. “Why not pay the measly $26 and get a license?”
Deer hunting licenses can be purchased at area department stores and some pawn shops. The last hunt this year is the end of this month.
|
