As snow drifts into Jefferson County, many residents’ minds coast to winter holidays while others set their sights on another annual tradition: hunting season.
While many hunters enjoyed filling their tags during the 2022 general hunting season, which ended Nov. 27, hunters like Jefferson County resident Will Luhrsen find it most exciting to watch his children fill theirs.
“Taking my kids hunting is what I look forward to every year,” Luhrsen said. “I love watching the animals and just talking to [my children] about what is happening in each situation.”
This year, it was Luhrsen’s 13-year-old daughter Rikki’s turn to join in on the tradition. After teaching his children about gun safety, they begin target practice with a pellet gun in the garage.
All of Rikki’s practice and hard work paid-off when she filled her first tag with a fork horn, mule deer buck.
After taking the shot, Rikki said she felt happy, scared, confused and excited. Although her deer was smaller than she thought, Rikki has already set a goal for next season: “I want to get an elk next, or a bigger buck.”
The thrill of hunting doesn’t end when the season does for the Luhrsens, instead, it continues with every meal made from the harvest.
“I have been eating venison my whole life,” Luhrsen said, and now that he has a family, he likes to try new things. This year’s challenge: venison bacon.
Like hunting season, Luhrsen hopes this tradition continues with his children and their families: “Get out and enjoy the time with your kids in the woods, doing different things. They are the future, and can pass down [the] many wonderful things they have learned to the next generations.”
As a first-time hunter, I have yet to put together my venison cookbook and am on a quest for recipes. If you have a favorite post-hunting season recipe, please send it fo eliza@boulder-monitor.com and it may be featured in a future issue.
