Hunting is just another part of life here in western Pennsylvania. I know plenty of people who would be sickened or offended by things that I became accustomed to growing up here. An animal mount (or two or ten) displayed on a wall… What, you don’t have any at your house? A carcass hanging in the garage after a day of deer season… Cool! Will that be made into jerky, hamburger, or steaks? I’ve never actually gone hunting myself but my father and three brothers are avid hunters. We were raised on deer meat and one of my brothers even became a taxidermist. Hunting is the norm here. It’s a passion and enjoyable pastime for those who do it, whether for sport or for food.
Today there was a raccoon hide laying on the kitchen counter. That’s right, the skin and fur of a dead raccoon. Don’t worry, it has been completely cleaned and tanned (made into leather) so there’s no harm or danger in touching it… or wearing it π