Crouching down inside a metal deer stand and waiting with anticipation, Parker Pfaff, junior, is no stranger to the emotions affiliated with hunting.

Deer hunting season in Missouri officially began Thursday, Sept. 15. The beginning of the season only allows the killing of deer by bow but during November, firearms are also allowed.

Pfaff has been participating in deer hunting since he was 12.

“I get really excited after every kill because of all the adrenaline,” Pfaff said.

Pfaff always eats the deer he kills.

“I have killed eight deer in my lifetime,” Pfaff said. “You are allowed to kill as many does (female deer) as you want, but only one buck [per year].”

Pfaff heads down to Montgomery and Franklin County every season to hunt.

“I bring my boots and camo along with my Savage 270 rifle,” Pfaff said.

Pfaff is not the only student who participates in deer hunting.

Jacob Sands, freshman, will be hunting in this year’s season for the first time.

“My dad and I are heading down to our farm in St. James,” Sands said. “I am nervous about killing a deer.”

Sands, who has yet to kill a deer, started hunting Saturday, Nov. 12, the first day of rifle season.

Chad Mandernach, junior, is an avid fan of hunting.

“I’m a huge hunter,” Mandernach said. “I like the rush when a deer comes running at you.”

Mandernach said he prefers hunting with bows instead of guns. H-e hunts in a club in Troy and on a farm in Wentzville. Mandernach recently bought $60 worth of tags.

“A tag is something you need to put on an animal after you kill it for the kill to be legal,” Mandernach said.

Mandernach has killed 15 deer since he began hunting at age 8. Mandernach and his family eat the game from every hunt.

“We have our own smokehouse that we process everything with,” Mandernach said.

Deer hunting season will end on Sunday, Jan. 15, leaving five months to fill tags bought.

“I’m going to try and get out there as much as possible,” Mandernach said.