NATCHEZ — Jerry Walker doesn’t bow hunt much, so with gun season just around the corner, he’s likely to be in the woods a lot more often.

But whether he’s stalking deer with a bow or sitting in a tree stand, being away from the hustle and bustle of life is all that matters, he said.

“Just getting out there and getting away, and hearing the voice of God makes me love being out there,” Walker said.

With primary gun season beginning Saturday, Nov. 20, gun hunters are showing up more and more to local hunting supply stores, Sports Center employee Vernon Smith said.

“Business has been pretty good,” Smith said. “We’re right in the middle of when they start showing up more. About a week or two before it starts is when they start getting really serious.”

Bowie’s Outfitters employee Palmer Johnson also said the week and a half before gun season is when their store gets really busy.

“We start getting increased calls from people seeing if we have guns in, bullets, things like that,” she said.

Johnson said the most popular gun selling right now is the .35 Whelen rifle used during primitive weapon season, which starts Dec. 2.

“Most primitive weapons from back in the day were regular muzzle-loaders,” Johnson said.

“This one opens from the back canister and you load the bullet in the back. It doesn’t self-extract either; you have to pull it out.”

Even if gun hunters are just now stocking up on equipment, Walker said, if you’re an avid hunter, preparation for this season began when last season ended.

“We scout, look for (deer antler) sheds, plant plots and get our cameras out,” Walker said.

Smith said he doesn’t expect business to slow down soon.

“Thank goodness for it,” he said. “It’s our time. This will go on through Christmas, and after that, people will hang it up.”