Time in the woods, bottomlands and farmland field edges are wintertime priorities among many of the Tidewater Regions; “hunters & gatherers”. Maryland and Virginia are blessed with abundant whitetail deer populations, which provide both challenging sport and tasty, nutritious table fare. We, like thousands of others, have enjoyed the annual seasons already underway and look forward to additional time afield over the next two months.(Visit the Outdoors Online website for the December/January/2005 deer hunting seasons.) Deer hunting is an exciting time which demands that we all keep safety and ethics a high priority. Wearing blaze-fluorescent orange is more than just a law, it is vital to preventing serious injury or worse. Keep in on while  near or in any hunting area, whether you are pursuing wild game or not. Ethics and respect for others’ property is a responsibility of all who hunt. Prevent even the appearance of trespassing on others land and avoid any confrontation with a landowner or another hunter. Don’t argue, just leave the area and if applicable, report the incident to local law enforcement or State Game Wardens. 

     Some of the best advice we received over the past 20 plus years came from our father and father-in law, Tony Toth. On November 15, he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family. A lifelong farmer, Tony worked the land well into his late 70's. He commanded an uncanny knowledge of nature, wildlife and the outdoors. His ability to share experiences in the woods or on the farm remain among the best we have ever heard. Granted, we have some selective prejudice being that we loved and respected him so much, but there is something to take into perspective when considering the unique man that he was. He raised 11 children who in turn blessed him with 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. All of the offspring which he and Madeline, his devoted wife of 55 years raised, did him proud. In this day and age that is something unique and if nothing else, a significant challenge to the law of averages.

     Tony shared a wide variety of stories about his encounters with wildlife, including deer, turkey, bear, pheasant, fox and quail. Game pursued by hunting was always to be used as food whenever he had something to say about it. That rule of law prevailed on his own farmland until he sold the place, when he approached 80 years of age. In even the most subtle conversations, Tony Toth expressed a deep understanding of the relationship between the land, water and wildlife. A daily example of this was his pond which provided supplement for a creek that watered cattle and dairy cows and also doubled as a favorite family fishing hole. In a few brief sentences Tony Toth could describe the importance that a free flowing stream had as it meandered through farmland and into a nearby wood line. Water through that land was like the blood in his veins.

     Those who thought they knew all there was about deer, wild turkey and other game found out that Tony had experiences and knowledge they could use. Among them, was a story of the times he watched deer chewing bark off of mast crop trees because they knew of a need for certain minerals it would provide. Tony enjoyed hearing of our hunting and fishing experiences and always advised us to be careful, hunt safely and respect others land. We think of him often while in the woods. Tony Toth has joined the memorable legion of our friends and relatives who have moved on to a higher vantage point. He watches over us seeing that we care for and respect the outdoors, it’s wildlife and our families.

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved