There seems to be a peace that comes when communing around a deer camp fire. No matter the number of hunters, staring at ember and flame brings spiritual reflection and a recalling of past events. It also often features a crossfire of barbing and ribbing – perhaps one of the most common types of communication among men. Yes, as long as there have been humans, there has been an allure to communal fire. Among other places, they’re enjoyed in summer camps, parks, tailgates and even backyards. However, there is not a more common place to find them than the American deer camp. Whether next to a tent, cabin or upscale lodge, this circle of flame is often the anchor of hunting camp.
Smoke and Smack
Back to ribbing and barbing. Pity the pour soul that cleanly misses a deer. I was with one such guy this past season and somehow his morning miss remained a hot topic for hours around the evening fire. I don’t know, somehow heat and light seems to go hand in hand with giving a fellow hunter crap. I’ve certainly been that guy, so that doesn’t keep me from dishing it out when it’s someone else’s turn. The fire is also a place where antlers grow. A lot. This seems to happen more often when combined with some libations. I refer to this as the “solo cup diaries”, but I digress. Nonetheless, what would hunting camp be without tales of unreasonably large whitetails or the twenty six inch crappie.
Meat and Greet
I made the 20 yard march to the cooler in the back of the truck. Opening the lid I saw a beautiful thing. There, heavily coated with a spicy dry rub sat two medium-sized pork butts. Dollar for dollar, the best slab of meat meant for flame and smoke. 
Short of not minding the store at all, this chunk of marbled pork greatness is easy to prepare – and can make you a hero.
Yes, far be it from me to ignore the importance of the meat that we join with flame – sometimes the fruits of the hunt. I added a couple of sticks of mesquite and seared the two beauties over the direct flame prior to their 3-4 hour appointment with the lower heat at the far end of the of the pit. Two well-used cast-iron dutch ovens awaited. Some of the others had brought sides, mostly pre-prepared. Everyone left for the evening hunt knowing that a smoke-laden feast was to come.
Game Planning and Scent Control
Many of today’s fanatical hunters can actually have a hard time fully enjoying the deer camp fire – or the deer camp at all. For these characters, any time around the fire is spent strategizing – contemplating where to hunt the next day or where to move a stand. You might even find this guy glued to a laptop analyzing trail camera photos. There are even those that won’t dare spend too much time around the smoke for fear of ruining the next hunt. I get it. Nonetheless, as die-hard as I can be, the campfire resembles all that is right with the hunting experience. After all, I spend plenty time strategizing before, during and after the season. Just ask my wife. In my mind, I can set aside a little time to participate in this great rite of passage.
The Roughest Wood
Above all, these fires are often where I really learn more about my brothers and sometimes myself. They’re home to real stories and anecdotes about family, faith, celebration and crisis. In this place, such topics are typically discussed with sincere uncensored honesty. It’s primal.
It’s interesting that, even in the most disheveled fire,
the relative order and placement of the wood is paramount to its success. When one piece leans on another, flame increases. Also ironic is the undeniable fact that it’s the dry and cracked wood that lights the quickest. The smaller and seemingly inadequate pieces are the ones that are most readily available for usefulness. They just need to be ignited.
Yes, the deer camp fire pit can be the ultimate gathering place for us as outdoorsmen – and as imperfect beings ready to serve both friend and Creator. Even if we occasionally have to endure an account of a dead-on 700 yard shot or Chupacabra sighting along the way…
