Flocks of F-150s and Toyota Tacomas migrate to Northern Wisconsin in November. Many of the occupants of these vehicles wear blaze orange. This phenomenon is called “opening weekend.” These hunters will arrive at their cabin, stay up late, and wake up early, in the hopes of shooting a “monster.”

The key to a successful deer hunt in the November cold is not shooting a “big buck.” It all starts on Friday night. Since most hunters get off work on Friday afternoon, they arrive at the cabin around dinner time, or sometimes later. Once all of their buddies show up, they all drink beer. And they wonder why it’s so hard to get up in the morning. So, rule number one: do not stay up late and drink (you’ll regret it in the morning).

Always remember to bring your flashlight. Whether you’re walking to your tree stand, or returning back to the cabin, always have a flashlight. Once, I forgot my flashlight and had to walk by the dim moonlight. I was thrashing through the bushes and suddenly, the treestand kicked my foot and squealed like a snake on a hot grill. Obviously, I didn’t see any deer that morning. I use a headlamp that has a regular white light, but also has a dim red light. My arbitrary thought is that it won’t scare all of the deer away. That red lamp is a lifesaver. Using a light is so much safer too. The northwoods can be a dangerous place.

My last hint of deer hunting is to not get shot. There are novices who are dumber than a box of rocks, so be careful. It sounds harsh, but gun safety is a serious topic. Never point your gun in a place where you wouldn’t want a bullet to go. My family makes sure everyone knows where everybody else is sitting. This year, Pete was to my left, my dad was behind me, and everyone else was far, far away. At sunrise, I saw a buck coming from my left. I had a clear shot at it, but I did not shoot. I used my discretion. That day, the “monster” survived, but so did everyone else on opening weekend.