Buck season opened for rifle hunters over the weekend and runs through Dec. 12 statewide.

In the region WMU 2D, the antlerless season coincides with the buck season while region WMU 1A does not permit doe hunting until the first Saturday which is on Dec. 5. WMU 1A lies west of Route 8 in Butler County while WMU 2D covers the east of Route 8. A small portion of the county that is south of Route 228 lies in the Allegheny County WMU 2B, which is also a two-week buck or antlerless season.

This is the first year that the deer opener started with a Saturday and Sunday weekend hunt and is part of the PGC three-Sunday hunt series that ran through archery deer, rifle bear and the rifle deer seasons.

There hasn't been much fanfare about the Sunday hunting around here as I saw more folks at the shooting ranges than out in the woods. This year has been an odd year for many reasons and people are not as excited about the hunting seasons as I've come to expect.

Much of the discussion has been about ammunition shortages, COVID 19 and the crazy election year. Everyone is waiting for 2021 to help us all move on!

The weather is promising to be in the 50's for the opening week, which is warmer than I like, but as long as it's not too rainy, I can deal with it just fine. Over the years we have had sunny days, rainy days, snow and cold weather which I am prepared for with all types of weather gear options.

Back when I was a kid, we had one outfit and it was what we wore no matter what the weather for the “First Day” as we called it. The weekend after Thanksgiving was full of preparation, visiting relatives and hunting buddies checking out their firearms. We did not shoot much because that was a waste of ammunition!Lots of guys were carrying makeover rifles from the war; 30-40 Krags, 30-06 and British .303 rifles. They were sporterized and generally with open sights, scopes were in their infancy and likely a 4X Weaver, Redfield or Bushnell model. Today's equipment is light years ahead of the offerings available back then.Which brings me back to the hunters and woodsmen of the past, they were good shots, knew their rifles and how to use them effectively. Many of the classic Model 70's, 99's, 760's, 30-30's and 700's have withstood the test of time and still see the woods for deer hunting years later.

This year is an anniversary of sorts for me, it is my 55th First Day of Buck event without a miss!Oh, there have been plenty of shots missed over the years, but not missing role call for the first day of the hunt. I know many old-timers who have hunted longer than 55 years, but I am surprised at my own streak and in not letting anything block that effort even though many things have changed all around me in this pursuit.

Safety concerns should always be foremost in your thinking during this hunting season. Wearing blaze orange, checking your targets for a clear and safe background, rifles working properly and knowing how to load and unload your firearm without incident.Taking care of how you carry, rest and direction of the muzzle pointing while in the field. Using scabbards and gun cases in vehicles, safety ropes to pull up your unloaded rifle in a tree stand, and unloading if you are climbing over obstacles like fences or brush.No deer is worth a life just to get an edge on a quicker shot that usually isn't effective anyway.

If you are fortunate enough to score a deer during the season, be careful in taking care of your deer and yourself. If you need help getting a deer out of the woods, don't be afraid to ask for help.The dead weight of a buck can be pretty heavy especially if you don't have snow to help with the drag. I purchased a deer cart which works pretty well for recovering a deer. Wheels roll much easier and you can rest as you go along back to camp or a vehicle. On private property, the use of a quad or UTV is generally the way to go, but remember not to tear up the terrain or overdo it.

This year the new rule is that you can harvest more than one deer on the same day if you have the proper deer tags. One buck always and extra antlerless deer can be available.The rule is that they do not have to be tagged in the field until you are ready to move them. If you are fortunate enough to have an extra deer, don't forget to share the harvest with a neighbor or foodbank.Hunters Sharing the Harvest is very active in the region and will see that your venison is used for the less fortunate. Until we meet again, hunt safely… and enjoy the great outdoors in Pennsylvania!<b>Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle</b>