A Family Passes It's Hunting Tradition to the Next Generation

In the year 2000, Mark Muller, president of Max Motors, purchased a run-down ranch near Amoret, Missouri.

“The point of it was to get my kids out of the city,” said Muller. “And let them go pee in a stream and take a .22 down in the woods and go squirrel hunting and ride a dirt bike and have some freedom.”

That same year, Muller invited the men of his family to the ranch for the 10-day Missouri whitetail deer hunting season. It happens every November, and it has come to be known simply as Deer Camp, and it is now a tradition amongst the crew.

“Deer Camp is about men getting together, celebrating our manhood, eating, drinking and doing what we want to do. It’s all about God, country, family and celebrating the rights we have and taking the harvest off the land,” said Muller.

Last year, Muller’s son Marko, shot a good-sized doe on opening day with his Remington 700 chambered in .270 Winchester.

“A lot of people don’t get it,” said Marko. “You go to the supermarket and you can buy a steak. You can buy chicken, but they don’t understand what it’s like to actually go out into nature and hunt and harvest your own meat.”

Less than 24-hours after shooting his deer, he had it butchered and a hindquarter cooked on the smoker — ready for dinner. The family gathered around, bowed their heads and gave thanks.

“It makes you feel a lot more proud and accomplished… that we’re eating something that I literally just killed a day ago,” said Marko.

One thing that has concerned Muller is passing the hunting tradition, and his deer camp, to the younger generation. At last year’s event, he officially invited his sons to carry the torch. To his delight, they agreed.

“We will carry on this tradition. For sure. We like it too much.” said Marko.

“My dad started something that’s really beautiful here. It would be a shame if we didn’t continue that,” said Mark’s youngest son, Matthew.

So it looks like Muller’s Deer Camp is here to stay. God Bless America.