The season opener of deer season across much of the U.S. ranks as an unofficial holiday for hunting families, and in the past, at least one state closed schools on that day. Yup, whitetails meant that much to the culture.

Upland-bird hunting for central and mid-coast Maine woodcock and grouse once appealed to me in a huge way, and one allure began with lots and lots of action. It was unbelievable at times.

In childhood, my whole family hunted deer, grouse, squirrel and hare. My father concentrated on deer and dabbled with grouse and hare, and my mother chased deer and squirrel, the latter since we had oak stands by home to attract these gray rodents. Naturally, those critters interested me.