Many hunters today are carrying on a tradition that is as old as humankind. Hunting is the second oldest profession, no pun intended. Hunting camps are a part of that folklore.

Hunting camps come in all shapes and sizes. They range from posh luxury lodges to the most rudimentary tents and campers. Here in the Adirondacks and the southern tier of New York deer camps are the order of the day at this time of year.

Adirondack deer camps differ in some respects from their southern tier counterparts. In the first place the season for their use lasts much longer and many of the camps are located in more remote locations. Dyed in the wool Adirondack deer camps had their beginnings in the furthest reaches of the woods. It took all of one day for many of them to be reached and necessitated extended stays to make them practical. The gear and provisions had to be packed in ahead of time and considerable prep work had to be done.

Wood had to be cut and in the case of tent sites the tent has to be set up. Backcountry hunting camps dictate much more planning and detail than any of the others.

In many respects the planning and details are part of the overall pleasure derived from the hunting trip. It starts with assembling the food and supplies. Usually there will be an overabundance of food and drink. Like days of old when the lumber camp cook was a supreme being so is the hunting camp cook.

Many in the party have not seen their friends since last years outing and are looking forward to renewing old friendships and memories. The camaraderie and talking on a myriad of subjects with fellow hunters without fear of being misunderstood in mixed company may well be a once a year pleasure. The talk always revolves around guns and missed shots on previous trips or gaffes others have made.

One of the greatest joys of hunting camp life is introducing the youngsters to the hunting fraternity. Nothing is more enjoyable to the seasoned sportsman than watching the awakening in a young outdoor enthusiast as they warm to the sport. The ultimate joy is left to the father or grandfather watching their special novice surpass their best efforts.

When I spoke of tradition in the opening paragraph I could not have used a better term in connection with hunting camps. Tradition has been the key word. Tradition has kept deer and other hunting camps in close competition with holidays such as Thanksgiving in the minds of many outdoor enthusiasts for years. And it is not something unique to New York but throughout the nation wherever outdoor sports are appreciated.

Hunting may have played a much bigger role in our national security than many may suspect. Hunting has been declining steadily with young people choosing other forms of recreation. Still the numbers of hunters licensed to hunt in the top four states out numbers every other standing army in the world. It was a big factor in the Japanese decision not to invade the west coast at the start of WWII.

Fly in camping in New York was much more in vogue before 1972 than it is today. In fact it was one of the most popular forms of backcountry camping trips. The inception of the Adirondack Park Agency has seriously curtailed all types of camping. Many of the remote areas that were accessed by float planes were placed off limits. It meant essentially that thousands of acres of public land was placed off limits to the very young, the infirm and older people. It also made it much more difficult for owners of backcountry property to access and manage their hunting and fishing camps. Gradually like a python constricting its prey the agency has been methodically limiting the use of all public and private lands to meet the demands of an elite group. It has caused the loss of a great many Adirondack traditions that where handed down from the earliest days of Adirondack history. A regions culture is slowly being taken from it by usurpers.

The Adirondacks I once knew and loved is being denied to my children and grandchildren. Everyday in many ways traditions like deer camps are becoming harder to maintain. If that was the only tradition being taken from them it would not be as unbearable as it is seeing our whole American culture being spirited away as well.