Local Six Nations communities join annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest

Deer harvesting has been a long-standing tradition of the Haudenosaunee in this area for thousands of years.

A treaty dating back to 1701 gives the Haudenosaunee the right to hunt and fish in the Hamilton Conservation Authority Area, and every year there is a deer harvest.

Gagwih Jacobs, 26, is hunting deer in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for the Annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest, which began on Monday and runs until Dec. 4.

“I’m out here trying to fill the freezer and reduce the deer population,” said Jacobs.

Because of a treaty dating back to 1701, Jacobs and members of the Six Nations community have the right to harvest deer for the next month.

“We fill our freezers, and provide for the community — the elders, people who aren’t capable of providing for themselves,” said Jacobs.

While the harvest is taking place the trails in two separate areas will be closed to the public.

Between Martin Road and Paddy Greene Road from Jerseyville to Powerline Road will be closed, and west of Weirs Lane from Governors Road, to the railway tracks will also be closed.

READ MORE: Annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest begins in Dundas Valley Conservation Area

The Haudenosaunee hunters will be using bows and arrows instead of rifles.

“[It’s] way more challenging,” said Jacobs. “It’s difficult to get close enough for a clean shot.”

Jacobs says he’s been taking part in the deer harvest since he was a kid with his father and says he plans to carry on the tradition with his own children.

“For sure I remember, before I was even old enough to go hunting, I’d sit by the door waiting for him to come home,” said Jacobs. “Looking into the back of the truck to see if we had a deer, watching him clean and process all the deer so we do that all ourselves, in nice family bonding time.”

There are two main reasons for the deer harvest: to control the deer population, and to provide food to the Six Nations community.

“I haven’t bought meat in the past year — I’ve just been strictly eating deer meat only and fish or whatever I harvest — that’s why these lands play a big role for us, because we come out and get meat for the year,” said Jacobs.

Despite seeing a number of deer Wednesday, it just wasn’t his day.

“Today was good: windy and cold — I went for a walk to the other side and saw four and a bunch of turkeys,” said Jacobs. “I’m leaving empty handed but with a smile on my face and am coming back later.”

Jacobs “bagged a doe” Tuesday, and plans to get a few more before the harvest ends..

The Conservation Authority says the harvest is only from Monday to Thursday throughout the week, and is limited to 60 deer.

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