I've always had a big interest in KDWPT's Pass It On Program. Hunting and fishing have been an important part of my life since I was a youngster. The great outdoors is indeed a great place and I've enjoyed my time there.
My Dad was the first one to take me hunting. He was a weekend-warrior of sorts, pheasant hunting with his buddies from work a couple times a year. Once I got old enough at 9 or 10 years old to tag along I would get to be "one of the guys." My Dad didn't hunt anything other than upland birds but the bug had bit me and I took it from there. I now hunt many species near home and afar.
But the world is now full of Dads who are busy, or aren't hunters themselves. There's no shame in the latter as some just haven't ever been exposed to it. So what's a kid to do who thinks he or she might have an interest in hunting? A good bet would be to check out one of KDWPT's special hunting opportunities.
Many of these are geared towards helping kids, or adults with limited experience. The perfect example was the 13th Annual Harper County David Berry Memorial Youth Deer Hunt. I was paired with a youngster, 11-year-old Adam Hall of Hutchinson, and his Dad, Mark. Mark had never hunted but was intent on spending time with his son who had developed an interest in hunting after receiving a bow and arrow as a gift. I admire parents like Mark who take the initiative to make time to take their child hunting, despite their own inexperience. Adam had never been deer hunting and his very first hunt would go from near-tears to jubilation in minutes.
We climbed into a tower blind overlooking a crop field. It wasn't long and we spotted several does and fawns off in the distance. A short time later, two does stepped out from our left. Adam got the gun up and ready and I could tell he was excited. My confidence was high as his shooting back at the range was spot-on. However, Adam's shot missed it's mark and the youngster was understandably dejected.
But I told Adam and Mark that our chances were good to see another deer before shooting time was over. I tried to console Adam and I chatted with father and son about the highs and lows of some of my experiences to help ease the pain. Everyone misses at some point or another and that's part of the game. Adrenaline is a complicated beast.
It wasn't long and four more does walked out in front. I did a better job this time of getting Adam calmed down prior to the shot and reminding him to SQUEEZE the trigger and stay steady. I had binoculars on the big doe when he shot and at the sound I told Adam he just bagged his first deer as she piled up after a short sprint.
Adam was now fired up and ecstatic. We walked to his doe and a big, wide smile on Adam's face said it all. His Dad was admiringly proud, too. I was glad to help Adam get his first deer and even more importantly show Mark how much fun it was to share the outdoors with his son. My hats off to Mark and other Moms and Dads just like him.
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