Oshkosh museum opens history of deer hunting exhibit

The exhibit, Deer Hunting: Wisconsin's Autumn Tradition, opened Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Oshkosh Public Museum, bringing with it attractions aimed at the entire family.

The exhibit will run until Jan. 30, 2011 and includes a variety of information on hunting, white-tailed deer, history and current events within the hunting world.

According to Megan Del Debbio, marketing coordinator for the museum, the exhibit is not geared only toward hunters and is very localized to make it relevant to all Wisconsin residents.

She said the museum exhibit offers a variety of material that anyone could find interesting, regardless if they have ever set foot in the woods to hunt.

Ethical questions, such as those on baiting, fair chase and information on chronic wasting disease, are among the topics addressed.

Many displays throughout the exhibit take visitors through the history of hunting, starting with Native Americans and ending with the current condition of the hunting industry.

There is a big focus on the role deer hunting plays in Wisconsin and how it has affected life in the state, which Del Debbio said the museum tried very hard to portray with the material chosen.

To represent the culture of hunting, the museum staff chose displays on the impact hunting has on the economy, how Wisconsin has contributed to the formation of the deer hunting industry and art and photos related to hunting.

The tradition of "deer camp" is also showcased widely in the exhibit. A museum display describes deer camp as "the place where young hunters were initiated into the world of adults and hunting."

To keep the emphasis on culture, the exhibit goes on to describe the atmosphere of deer camp. "Deer camp would not be deer camp without the practical jokes and laughs they produce," a sign at the exhibit quotes.

The museum staff put special emphasis on getting kids involved as well, including setting up special stations where kids can make deer tracks, touch antlers and listen to recordings of deer calls, according to Del Debbio.

"We were very careful to design this to make it fun for the whole family," she said.

To promote youth involvement, deer track stickers have been placed around the museum, and children are encouraged to count the tracks and enter their name and the number of tracks they counted into a drawing.

"From the people I've seen, the kids were enjoying looking for the deer tracks around here," Museum volunteer Steven Heil said. "Every exhibit the museum has does something like this. It's just a fun thing for little kids to look for."

The contest will continue until the end of the exhibit, and a winner will be chosen in February 2011.

The grand prize is a deer research field experience with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Multiple displays called "Whitetail Whachamacallits" feature more hands-on activities for children and adults and information geared toward entertaining, including random deer facts and venison recipe cards.

The museum is also hosting special programs and events to go along with the exhibit. Most events will be a lecture followed by a program, according to Del Debbio.

She said the museum expects the Outdoorswomen Go Pink program, being held Saturday, Oct. 23, to be one of the more successful events.

The program features a presentation by the director of Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, Peggy Farrell, a female hunting fashion show and a women's hunting prize lottery. Half the proceeds from admission costs and the raffle will be donated to breast cancer awareness.

There is also a display about women's role in the hunting industry within the exhibit.

With hands-on activities, artifacts and informative displays, the Oshkosh Public Museum's exhibit Deer Hunting: Wisconsin's Autumn Tradition is something all Wisconsin residents can relate to, hunters or not.

"I think we're sending a very positive message about hunting that looks more at the history and tradition of hunting and what it brings to Wisconsin's culture," Del Debbio said.