Hunters start early with breakfast before sunrise
They say a good, hearty meal is perfect way to start day
By Jeni Lewis - Marshfield News-Herald

The sign posted in the Little Red Rooster Cafe in Greenwood read "Rise and shine."
By 4:30 a.m. Saturday, the gun deer hunters had risen, but the sun sure wasn't shining. It still had another hour and a half to make an appearance on the horizon.

"We want to be in the woods by six," said Max Prelog of Burlington, who has acreage near Greenwood. "In our stands by six."

Prelog was at Laura and Jen's Cafe in Greenwood eating omelets and potatoes with his son, brother, nephew and son's friend. He's been coming north for deer hunting since 1989 when he purchased the property and always finds a place for hot breakfast before heading out on the first day.

"We like to eat out. This is easier," Prelog said.

The group usually eats in Owen but discovered the restaurant was closed. So they showed up in Greenwood at 4:55 a.m., ordered their eggs, juice and coffee, and were ready to hit the woods shortly after.

George Klahn of Greenwood also was at Laura and Jen's Cafe for some biscuits and gravy.

"Biscuits and gravy, good food. It sticks to your ribs," Klahn said. "All the years, that's my morning breakfast."

He's been finding breakfasts on opening day of gun deer season for 34 years.

His friend, Ray Djubenski, said eating an early breakfast is tradition in his family.

"It's something that's been handed down from my grandparents and parents," he said.

He was digging into the biscuits and gravy early Saturday morning because he couldn't sleep past 3 a.m.

"It's just an adrenaline thing," he said.

His wife, Sue, had a different reason for being at the cafe so early in the morning.

"These men are not real quiet in the morning," she said. "It's easier to get up and send them on their way."

After they take off about 6 a.m., Sue sits around the cafe socializing before she has to start registering deer at Kwik Trip in Greenwood.

This is the first year Donna and Kelley Akey of Greenwood have opened the Little Red Rooster Cafe early for deer hunting.

"We were told it's a good weekend - open early and be busy," Donna said. "The waitress (Friday) said she saw 16 out-of-town hunters for breakfast."

They just re-opened Greenwood Family Restaurant on Sept. 20 after moving to town from Athens.

Waitress Jerri Pollack was ready for customers at 4 a.m., even though she had her own hunting schedule.

"I'm heading out after work and going to the (Upper Peninsula)," she said. "I have to make some money first."

In their own words: Hunting traditions

Name: George Klahn
Age: 54
Home: Greenwood
"That's the first thing I have to do, get some coffee and get something to eat before I get going."

Name: Max Prelog
Age: 65
Home: Burlington
"I had uncles and a grandfather who were hunters. I got (my traditions) from them."

Name: Ray Djubenski
Age: 50
Home: Greenwood
"My dad has been taking me since I was 10 years old. We always come to the same place."

Name: Sue Djubenski
Age: 43
Home: Greenwood
"I have breakfast with them and I register deer all day. I've done that for 14 years."