OCONOMOWOC, Wis. — This weekend marks the start of gun deer season and many Wisconsinites are out and about getting last-minute gear for their hunt.
"Orange Friday" is a longstanding tradition at Fleet Farm that has been going on for nearly 70 years. It signals the start of gun deer season in Wisconsin.
Once the doors opened at 6 a.m., a flood of orange made its way through the doors. Dozens of people came in ahead of a big weekend.
“It’s a big event,” Adam Smith said. “It’s like Christmas for adults, maybe a little bit more. It’s the one thing that comes every year.”
Smith is from Hartland and has been going hunting for years with his family. He’s now able to get his sons involved in the excitement of the weekend by bringing them to get some last-minute items ahead of hunting.
“Now getting my boys involved in it is a big thing,” Smith said. “They get a good kick out of it before school and get a donut and juice before.”
Not only is it an exciting day for customers, but also for the employees who are up early to help bring people in.
“These types of events bring a lot of excitement for the staff,” Fleet Farm senior general manager Chaz Stangel said. “They work very hard every day and certainly enjoy to stand back and watch it all come together.”
Many come in to get the iconic orange hats each year. It’s something many families have started to do since the Oconomowoc location opened a handful of years ago.
Robin Capser said he has been bringing many generations of his family to kick off the gun deer season since the store opened in his neck of the woods.
“It’s really special. It started out with my daughters and now it’s the grandchildren. And God willing, if I am around long enough, maybe it will be the great-grandchildren next time,” Casper said.
Casper’s granddaughter, Brooklyn Knurr, got to tag along early Friday morning and said this weekend is one of the best.
“It’s fun. I get excited for it every year,” Knurr said. “I wake up early for it. But it’s one of the most fun things I do all year.”
Many Wisconsinites feel the same way. They are all looking forward to getting their orange gear in order to stay safe as they kick off the season.
