Hunting has been an important part of Lexington County’s history from the settlers earliest days.

Many of the Congaree Indians that called this area home were involved in the deer skin trade in the early colonial period.

Later on, many settlers would supplement their diet with wild game including deer, tur key and smaller game. Often, these farmers would hunt at night using torches to see.

The light would reflect in the eyes of deer and make them easier to spot in the darkness.

If hunters missed their target, they could blame it on the fact that a spell had been put on their gun by some “user.”

JR Fennell is Lexington County Museum director.