Last Saturday, the final day of the 5+ month deer hunting season at Huntley Meadows Park, I was startled to see the unmistakable shape of deer antlers on the ground a short distance away from where I was standing. As I moved closer, I saw that it was only some kind of decoy used by the hunters.
Looking up, I realized I was at the base of an unoccupied tree stand. I felt a little safer knowing that there were no archers in the stand at that moment.
I understand the problems caused in our area by an overpopulation of White-tailed Deer and the reason for the extended hunting season. Still, I am somewhat amused by the lengths to which the county goes to avoid using words like “hunting” or “killing.” Instead, they refer to the “archery program” and “deer management.” Deer management? I have visions of a deer CEO.
On Monday the 22nd, I returned to the park and was surprised to see that least some of the tree stands were still present. I am sure that someone will eventually come to retrieve the stands, but I am going remain alert, just in case one of the stands happens to be occupied despite the stated end of the deer hunting season.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
You have to pay attention as you get older Mike, to when someone starts talking about “managing the elderly.”
Yikes. Technically I qualify for Social Security later this year, so I might resemble the “elderly” about which you speak.
The euphemisms can be quite entertaining when people are trying to twist away from the truth. That’s a long time to be hunting deer – do you stay clear of the area the whole time?
Soory, I just can’t like this. It’s not you, of course…. I know, I know…. but I just love the animals.
That’s a long hunting season. The deer must be thriving in that area.
Nice post, Mike! The narrative is well-illustrated by your photos.
Interesting post mike. I use a lot of public lands for going om walks and hunting as well. It isn’t uncommon for hunters to leave their stands in a park for extended periods of time. Usually they will lock them to a tree to avoid thieves, as you can see in your final image.
The new season has started and I keep looking for tree stands, but they seem to be in different locations than last year and I haven’t spotted any yet.