Open Season

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal cruelty and death.

Joe attends the unconventional funeral for Ote, Kyle, and Calvin. Ote wished to be buried in his truck, so the grave is large enough to drive the truck into. Reverend Cobb gives the eulogy, talking about the men’s long-time friendship, traditionalist values, and survivalist skills. Besides Ote and Kyle’s families, few other outfitters are in attendance. Joe watches Jeannie Keeley, Ote’s pregnant widow, and her five-year-old daughter April. Jeannie confronted Joe before the funeral about his threats to take Ote’s outfitter’s license away. At the end of the eulogy, Jeannie and Kyle’s widow adorn the coffins on the back of the truck with the men’s favorite clothes, hunting items, and Ote’s record-breaking rack of moose antlers. Reverend Cobb puts the truck into drive and eases it into the grave.

Joe leaves the cemetery to patrol the Bighorn Mountains on the opening day of antelope season. He checks hunting licenses and stamps, and he hands out a ticket to a group that shot one too many antelopes. While driving around, Joe imagines Missy’s reaction to the job offer at InterWest. He and Marybeth had celebratory sex the night before, even though Joe’s decision is still up in the air.