Buck Fever Night came with a new twist Tuesday.
The event, held annually on the Tuesday prior to the opening of the gun deer season for roughly 40 years, is intended to get area residents in the mood for the nine-day hunt.
While past events have focused primarily on the men who love to hunt, Carol Schneider, chairwoman of the event sponsored by the Shawano County Conservation Association, opted this year to add more female-friendly vendors and activities for children.
“This year, we have something for the children and ladies,” Schneider said. “It used to always be men only here.”
Schneider estimated about half of the 35 vendors set up in the Shawano County Highway Department shop were new this year.
Amber Bahr, of Cecil, was one of the vendors, selling, among other organic offerings, ointments ideal for relieving aches and pains associated with hunting. She is an independent consultant with Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic.
“There are a lot of females that hunt in this area and there are a lot of women that like to hunt. I am a hunter myself,” said Bahr, who took up turkey hunting for the first time this year.
The changes didn’t deter longtime Buck Fever Night regulars such as 59-year-old Gary Moede, of Shawano, who said he has been a regular at the event for a number of years. He likes sharing hunting stories and checking out the vendors’ booths.
“I enjoy coming in and interacting with all of the different groups that are here,” he said. “It primes people for the upcoming season.
“It brings people out … getting people to think about the next big buck they are going to get.”
Moede, who taught his son and nephew to hunt, recalled one of his successful hunts in the Shiocton area.
“Many years ago, I had the opportunity to be in the right spot at the right time, and I was able to get a nice 10-pointer,” he said.
John Huff, state Department of Natural Resources wildlife management supervisor, said there are many prime hunting spots around Shawano County.
“Shawano County gets pretty heavily hunted, whether it is public land or private land,” he said. “There is a big chunk of hunting land near the Navarino Wildlife Area.”
The Navarino Nature Center manned a booth at Tuesday’s event. Children were able to create buttons customized with deer hunting artwork.
Buck Fever Night door prizes included cash, clothing and hunting gear.
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