Opening day keeps store busy

By Jon Moffett

Deer season provides relaxation and quality family time, hunters said.

BELOIT — Christmas has arrived a few weeks early for Mike Runzo.

Dozens of people flocked into his store on state Route 62 in Beloit to celebrate one of their favorite seasons: deer gun-hunting time.

Monday marked the opening of hunting season in Ohio for white-tailed deer. Runzo’s Outdoor Sports is designated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as an official check station.

Runzo said Monday was a busy day for the business. The season ends Sunday.

“This is a big week for us,” Runzo said. “Already, we’ve had about 100 people in here this morning, and we expect an even bigger crowd.”

More than just a good day for business, the opening of hunting season is also a good time for families to come together, one hunter said.

Calvin Aldridge, 38, and his son Brandon, 17, of Alliance, spent the day hunting and bonding.

“I live for this, and he knows it,” the elder Aldridge said. “I schedule my vacation time around it.”

Brandon said his favorite part was “feeling that rush after you shoot the deer.”

Runzo said he sees a lot of families come in together after a hunt.

“I see fathers and sons and daughters; all ages,” he said. “It’s something everybody looks forward to every year.”

Jesse Ritchie has been hunting for about 14 years. The 24-year-old Salem resident said hunting has been in his family for as long as he can remember.

“My dad got me into it when I was real young; probably at about 10 or 11 I would say — if I had to guess,” he said. “And I’ve been hunting ever since.”

While many hunt together, some find the hobby to be a relaxing way to get away for a little bit.

Kevin Dean, 45, of Alliance, said he’s been hunting for about 16 years.

“I enjoy getting out,” he said. “It’s nice and relaxing.”

Dean bagged a large buck on his property almost by chance.

“I had been standing for a while and it was starting to get cold, so I decided I was going to move a little bit,” he said. “I was making a loop across my property, and I have some bottom land that used to be a marsh. As I came across, I happened to look in its direction and the only thing I could see was the white on its face and its [antlers].”

Dean added he prefers bow hunting because it is “more peaceful” than a gun.

jmoffett@vindy.com