It’s been a while since I’ve been home. Hell, it’s been a while since I had a day off. In the thick of winter deer trapping, my life is consumed. By day we prepare and by night we capture deer, every day — repeat.
Riding between trapping sites in the crew truck, I reminisce. The sun shines brightly today and the weather is mild. In a few days, we are expecting snowfall and colder temperatures. Yes, we are still locked in a finicky Pennsylvania winter — freeze and thaw. A few short months ago, this place seemed so foreign. I remember exploring the study area and knocking on doors, searching for suitable places to trap. We had to find a feed mill to purchase the corn we use for bait and a hardware store to procure the supplies that maintain our efforts. On my time off, I searched for the cafes that I would patronize and located the grocery store that I would frequent. Every turn was something new. The job was exciting and I was home on most weekends.
Over these few months we figured things out. We established relationships with property owners and lured deer to our trapping sites. With practice, we’ve become highly efficient at moving our nets. I remember our crew trying to set a heavy corner post that first time. We lifted it vertically and it soon came crashing down. I thought someone was going to get killed! More so, we often felt that our hands were tied. Every new study has unforeseen obstacles in its first year and this endeavor was no different. There were plenty of times that we were directed to slow or stop trapping while some technicality was figured out. At this point however, we are free to catch as many deer as we can.
Hence, this last month of the trapping season is just that. We are trying to capture as many deer as we can before it’s over. Much of the unknown is gone and there isn’t much more that I will learn from this experience. At this point, the job has lost its luster and I can use a day off. I would love to go home and see my wife. In light of these valid feelings, I remind myself of the important work we are doing — work that will investigate the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in my home state.
I know that I have a few more weeks of trapping left in me. Then, I want to go home and hug my wife.