Managing editor
She’s petite and soft-spoken, but don’t let her appearance fool you.
Taylor Peterson, 12, of Lincolnville, is becoming a formidable deer hunter.
For the second year in a row, Taylor has managed to bag an impressive-sized buck — shooting a 13-point buck this year, and a 9-point last year.
“It’s fun,” she said. “I like spending time with my Dad.”
Taylor and her sisters, Hannah, 11, and Gracie, 10, have gone hunting with their father, Troy Peterson, for several years; they learned to shoot at the ages of 6 or 7.
Safety is of the utmost importance. The family has a shooting range on some land near Lincolnville. One of the purposes of target practice is to make sure the gun works properly. They practice with a .22 rifle — a common caliber for deer hunting.
When Taylor shot her dear Dec. 5, she used a 7 mm Mauser rifle, which was modified to be more user friendly for a 12-year-old girl.
Peterson and his daughters usually go out at 5 a.m. — just before dawn — so they can get set before deer begin their morning ritual of foraging for food.
“We’ll stay until noon or so until we get hungry or cold,” Peterson said.
They use a makeshift deer hut to protect them from the elements which also helps Peterson keep an eye on the girls. The hut has a window with pillows to rest the gun from which the hunters shoot. A space heater keeps them reasonably warm for a few hours.
A decoy deer head is strategically located with corn or sometimes a salt block to attract deer.
“Sometimes we rattle horns or call for them,” Taylor said.
On that Saturday morning when Taylor got her 13-point buck, the hunters spotted the deer and they sneaked up on it.
Why is it important for his daughters to hunt?
First, Peterson said, he wants his girls to help control the deer population.
“It also helps to put food on the table,” the part-time bus driver and substitute teacher said.
When the girls turn 11, they are allowed to hunt with their father. Hannah is recovering from hip surgery, so she will not be able to hunt with her father until next year.
Taylor completed a hunter education course last year when she turned 11.
“Hunting teaches youth patience, respect for animals and weapons, and the reward of a successful hunt,” Peterson said.
“What else would get young and pre-teen girls out of a warm bed early on cold, wintry mornings?” Peterson asked with a chuckle.
“Everyday life lessons can be taught through hunting,” he added.
The blood and guts doesn’t bother Taylor.
“I like the challenge,” Taylor said. “It’s exciting. It’s just fun to go hunting with my Dad.”
Peterson’s wife and mother to the girls, Cristina Peterson, snagged her first deer a couple of years ago.
The family processes their own deer meat.
“I receive a great deal of gratification when I can share that meat with others,” Peterson said. “There are people who are experiencing tough times right now and I’m glad to help out.”
They family will hunt all season as long as there is a need for the meat. They also hunt birds and rabbit but their main quarry is deer.
None of this would be possible, Peterson said, without the generosity of landowners.
“We really appreciate people allowing us to hunt on their property,” he said.
About deer hunting
There are numerous deer seasons in Kansas.
Youth and disabled hunters were able to hunt Sept. 12 through 20. Those hunters using muzzleloaders hunted Sept. 21 through Oct. 4. Archery season was Sept. 21 through Dec. 31.
Regular firearms were allowed Dec. 2 through 13.
Extended seasons for anterless whitetail deer is now through Sunday in Marion County for any unfilled 2009 deer permit.
According to Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, youth 15 and younger may hunt without hunter education if directly supervised by an adult, age 18 or older. Anyone 16 or older may purchase a one-time deferral of hunter education, called an apprentice hunting license, for the same price as a regular hunting license. This license is valid only through the calendar year in which it is purchased, and the holder must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 18 years old or older.
Hunter education is not required while hunting one’s own land. Otherwise, anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must have hunter education. Anyone under 27 years of old must carry a Kansas or other state approved hunter educaiton card while hunting.
In Kansas, hunters must be 11 years old to be certified and may not hunt without adult supervision until 12.
All firearms deer hunters and people assisting them must wear blaze orange. All deer hunters — archery and firearms — must wear hunter orange during any open firearm season. A minimum of 100 square inches on the front and 100 square inches on the back must be visible. A blaze orange hat must also be worn.