As night falls over Rhineland the Bruckerhoffs are cozy inside a cabin nestled in the woods on their land. Bursts of laughter explode from inside as cousins, aunts and nephews are reunited for deer camp to celebrate the opening weekend of deer hunting season.
The Bruckerhoff family gathered at “The Shack” for a potluck with sloppy joes, pulled pork and beef tongue. Many of them spent the night in the loft above The Shack and got up before sunrise the next morning for the first day of deer hunting. The Bruckerhoffs have owned their farm in Rhineland since the 1940s and have been hosting deer camp for years. “A lot of family traditions carry on,” said Tom Bruckerhoff. “They may be modified, but they carry on.”
Brenna Panhorst listens to someone share a story during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. The Bruckerhoff family gathered in The Shack on their land for a family tradition of sharing a meal together to celebrate the opening weekend of deer hunting season.
From left, Shad Noltensmeyer, Tom Bruckerhoff and Kevin Hagedorn, or “Kernel Hagenbauker” laugh and drink whiskey during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. Everyone sat around tables in The Shack for a few hours exchanging stories, making jokes and poking fun at each other, and recounting fond memories from previous deer camps.
Benton Panhorst, 2, makes faces on the oven door while his cousin Karena Noltensmeyer, 5, plays with the oven light during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. While the adults talked, Benton followed his big cousin around as the two played with cars and explored The Shack.
Curtis Bruckerhoff collects money for the deer camp pool Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. The person with the most points at the end of the weekend wins the pool of money.
Tom Bruckerhoff flips through previous deer camp kill records that hang on a fridge in The Shack Friday November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. Bruckerhoff hung a new piece of paper labeled “2019 Deer Kills” on top of the old records to start the weekend.
Shad Junior “SJ” Noltensmeyer, 6 months, holds Beth Bruckerhoff’s finger while Glenda Noltensmeyer holds him during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. Some people at deer camp came in from Hermann and as far as O’Fallon and St. Louis for the weekend.
“Uncle” Ed Bruckerhoff helps himself to dinner during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. Everyone brought dishes to share like sloppy joes, pulled pork, cole slaw, cookies and chips.
The Bruckerhoff family and friends socialize in The Shack on the Bruckerhoff’s land during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. The family built The Shack to serve as a gathering place where they could all enjoy each other’s company. Before this building was completed in 2009, the family used a shack that didn’t have electricity but did have a mice problem.
Karena Noltensmeyer, 5, poses for a portrait during deer camp Friday, November 15, 2019 in Rhineland, Missouri. Noltensmeyer found a feather lying around The Shack and used it as a toy for the rest of the night.
