Childhood Hunting Experiences Create Lasting Memories
September 26, 2008
By Tom Conroy, MN DNR Information Officer
They seemed to be everywhere. Ducks on the wing.Some appeared as but specks, high above. Others were trading back and forth, low on the water. In between, more ducks. I was a young boy on his first duck hunt as I witnessed this spectacle many years ago. On that day, something in me changed forever.
It was mid-morning on a late 1950s waterfowl opener in Le Sueur County, the first time I was allowed to join Dad and his cronies on a duck hunt. That I was not yet allowed to carry a gun didn’t much matter. I was thrilled just to be there.
The small lake we would hunt was less than 30 minutes from home. After exiting a gravel road, Dad and I traveled slowly down a field road, passed through a fence gate, and then bounced across a pasture toward a shaded hillside. Dad’s hunting buddies, including one of his brothers, were already parked at the top of the hill when we arrived.
As the men unloaded gear, ate sandwiches, and talked and laughed about who knows what, I walked partway down the hillside toward the lake. I stood, mesmerized, beneath the oak and maple trees and stared at the spectacle before me. Ducks, everywhere, it seemed.
At the appointed time, two of the men headed across the lake in an oar boat. Dad and I walked into the cattails together while two others found their places farther down the shore. When the shooting began, a phantasmagorical new world burst open around me. The sights and sounds, the acrid, intoxicating smell of spent paper shotgun shells, the pungent scent of marsh muck - all strangely new and wonderful. And addictive.
Pleasant youthful memories resist the dust of time. Even in old age they continue to gleam, allowing us to see ourselves once again as young boys and girls - gorging on watermelon on a hot summer day, wading a lakeshore looking for shells, frolicking on the grass with that lovable mutt we thought would, like us, never grow old.
For so many of us, fond memories of our youth are inextricably linked to outdoor experiences. Hunting, hiking, camping and fishing with moms and dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents are among our fondest recollections. Though we grow older and begin to pursue our outdoor passions with others our own age, we never forget those who first introduced us to the amazing discoveries to be found in nature. And if we’re lucky, we’ll find a way to repay the favor.
As an adult, I was fortunate to be able to do that with Dad. Although he was restricted in what he could do due to a bullet to the knee during WWII, we managed to enjoy a number of deer and pheasant hunts and fishing trips together. But then, at the relatively young age of 66, he unexpectedly died. The future suddenly seemed less certain and the memories he had given me took on a new significance.
Not long after Dad’s passing, I happened to move to the town where the uncle who had been along on my inaugural duck hunt lived. After years of only happenstance encounters at weddings, funerals and occasional family gatherings, we began to connect on a more regular basis. It was then that I learned that in his younger days he had shared a hunting shack with a few buddies on the same lake where several friends and I now had a cabin.
It had been years, he said, since he had hunted ducks from a boat. He no longer felt as steady on his feet as he once did, he explained, and so he reluctantly decided he should give it up. I thought otherwise. My boat, I argued, was sufficiently wide and stable enough to meet his needs. I eventually talked him into joining me for a duck hunt.
And so, on an overcast but mild afternoon, the two of us set off on the lake where both he and I had shared so many grand times - decades apart - with hunting friends. As we sat in the boat and my uncle reminisced about the past, I became once again the small boy standing in the cattails behind my Dad. Just down the shoreline I could see another young man, my uncle.
Although we never shot a duck that day, our afternoon in the boat together remains a special memory. And I think my uncle would have been pleased to know that I talked about it during the eulogy I gave at his funeral that took place much too soon after that special hunt.
Earlier this year, the father of one of my DNR co-workers passed away. In the Guest Book, a nephew wrote about the time this man, his uncle, took him on an early morning fishing trip. The man dearly wanted his 11-year old nephew to catch a big bass and, to improve the odds, he lent the boy his favorite lure - a wooden frog.
In no time, the boy tied into a “big lunker.” The fish, however, broke the line and the wooden frog was lost. “Uncle G was so good natured about the loss of both the fish and his lure,” the nephew wrote. “While he teased me about losing the fish, there was never a mention about the lure. He was truly a kind man and a true sportsman. I will miss him greatly.”
Minnesota’s fall fishing season is just beginning. And the major hunting seasons are right around the corner. Time to make memories. With someone young, perhaps. Or someone older. Both would be even better.
Related posts
Colorado DOW Schedules Three Free Archery Clinics In Lamar
August 14, 2008
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) will hold three free archery clinics at the DOW Office at 2500 S. Main in Lamar for adults or youth interested in learning more about the sport of archery.
Â
The dates are Aug. 26, Sept. 9, and Sept. 23.
Â
The Aug. 26 clinic is for experienced archers. It offers an opportunity to get in some practice before hunting this fall. DOW staff will provide coaching upon request.
Â
The Sept. 9 session is beginning archery for adults. The Sept. 23 session is beginning archery for youth 8 and up. Boys and girls are invited to attend the youth session, but must be accompanied by a parent.
Â
Archery clinic hours are 6 - 8 p.m. each night. Activities include instructions and practice shooting at traditional and 3-D targets.
Â
Instructors from the DOW will teach the finer points of shooting bows. The DOW will furnish the equipment, including bows that are designed for youngsters and are used with the National Archery in the Schools Program.
Â
“These events are a great opportunity for people to learn more about this rapidly growing type of outdoor recreation and try their hand at using a bow,” said Linda Groat, an education coordinator with the DOW. “Archery is one of the world’s oldest sports. It is safe and fun when done properly.”
Â
This event is limited to 35 each night, so register early. To register, or get more information, call (719) 336-6608.
Related posts
Pokagon State Park to host Angola Police Bicycle Rodeo, Aug. 2
July 24, 2008
Pokagon State Park will host a bicycle rodeo Saturday, Aug. 2, at noon at the South Beach parking lot.
The Angola Police Department bicycle patrol officers will conduct the rodeo. Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12 are encouraged to attend. Prior registration is not required.
The rodeo is a bicycle skills event that provides an opportunity for bicyclists to practice and develop skills that will help them to become better bicyclists and avoid typical crashes. The goal of the bicycle rodeo is to provide an opportunity for the participants to learn, practice, and demonstrate their bicycle handling skills in a fun, noncompetitive atmosphere.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own bicycles. The park has a limited number of bicycles available and will be rented on a first come first served basis. Bicycle helmets are required to participate in the rodeo.
Two bicycles donated by the Angola Meijer store will be given away during the event. Refreshments will be provided by the Fraternal Order of Police.
The bicycle rodeo is free, but the normal park entrance fee of $5 for in-state vehicles and $7 for out-of-state vehicles apply.
For more information, call (260) 833-2012.
Related posts
N.H. Summer Youth Program Offered at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center
July 17, 2008
!["Jeff Bousquet, age 13 of Barnstead, shot this 184 lb., 9 pt. buck on the first day of the 2007 Youth Deer Hunt weekend. This was his first time hunting, made more special by the fact that he took the deer with his great-great grandfather's Winchester 30-30." --Staci Bousquet](http://www.outdoorcentral.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/20080716017.jpg "\\"Jeff Bousquet, age 13 of Barnstead, shot this 184 lb., 9 pt. buck on the first day of the 2007 Youth Deer Hunt weekend. This was his first time hunting, made more special by the fact that he took the deer with his great-great grandfather\'s Winchester 30-30.\\" --Staci Bousquet")
HOLDERNESS, N.H. — There’s still time to sign young people up for a summer youth day program being offered from August 5 - 21, 2008, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H. The program offers youth age 10-15 a chance to learn about the shooting sports, bowhunting and other outdoor skills. Sessions are open to individuals, as well as recreation programs, scout troops and other youth groups.
“Research has shown that more and more youth are being removed from the outdoors way of life,” said Josh Mackay, Hunter Education Program Assistant at Owl Brook. “The Owl Brook Hunter Education Center would like to inspire young people to become involved in the outdoors, so we are offering these skill-based summer workshops to help them discover what it’s all about.”
You can sign up for 1 day or 3 days of the program. During each of the three weeks, one day is devoted to shooting sports, one day to bowhunting, and one day to general outdoor skills. The sessions are not progressive (the same activities will be offered each week).
Program days devoted to shooting sports will be offered on selected Tuesdays — August 5, 12 and 19. Bowhunting skills will be the theme on Wednesdays — August 6, 13 and 20. Days exploring general outdoor skills will be offered on Thursdays — August 7, 14 and 21. Each of the dates for a scheduled activity covers the same material. Participants may register for one session, or additional days to experience different activities. The sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Participants must bring a bag lunch.
Pre-registration is required and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited — enrollment is limited to 20 boys and girls per day — so please register early. To register, call (603) 536-3954. There is no charge for the sessions. Each program is hands-on, and all participants will be encouraged to take part.”
The mission of the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center is to educate people about how to become safe and responsible hunters, trappers and stewards of the state’s natural resources. The center’s facilities include shooting ranges, classroom space and interpretive trails. To learn more about Owl Brook and find directions to the center, please visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm
.
Activities at Owl Brook are made possible by Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds.Â
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats.
Related posts
Youth Archery Day In Pueblo
May 13, 2008
Youngsters interested in the sport of archery are invited to attend a one-day archery event at the Bighorn Archery Range in Pueblo from 9-3 on Saturday, May 17. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and Johnson Sport and Ski will co-sponsor the event.
Â
Activities include target practice, a fun shoot, a 3-D shoot and instruction. Boys and girls age 7-16 are invited to attend, but must be accompanied by a parent. Â
Â
Instructors from the DOW and local archery experts will help youngsters learn the finer points of shooting a bow. The DOW will furnish the equipment.
Â
“This event is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn more about this rapidly growing type of outdoor recreation and try their hand and using a bow,” said Steve Lucero, an education coordinator with the DOW. “Archery is one of the world’s oldest sports. It is safe and fun when done properly.”
Â
The Bighorn Archery Range is located just east of the DOW office at 600 Reservoir Road. The range features ten shooting stations with covered platforms.
Â
For more information, call Johnson’s Sport and Ski (719) 542-6012 or Division of Wildlife (719) 227-5207.
Related posts
Youth Conservation Camp Aug. 3-9
May 6, 2008
The North Dakota Wildlife Federation will hold a youth conservation camp Aug. 3-9 at the Triangle Y Camp near Garrison on Lake Sakakawea. Boys and girls ages 12-16 are invited to participate.
Hands-on activities include archery, canoeing, dog training, fishing, outdoor survival, trapshooting and wetland studies.
Cosponsored by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the camp is limited to the first 80 individuals registered. Cost is $290, which covers all meals and accommodations. For more information, contact the ND Wildlife Federation at 888-827-2557.
Related posts
Jeremy Denny of Fremont Wins Cornhusker Cup
May 6, 2008
DONIPHAN, Neb. – “What a difference a day makes. Nebraska was hit by high winds, ground blizzards that closed highways on Friday while Saturday dawned sunny, breezy and without a cloud in the sky at Doniphan,” said Rocky Hoffmann of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and shoot director for the 39th Annual High School Cornhusker Trapshoot.
The 2008 Cornhusker Trapshoot, held May 1-3 at the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA) at Doniphan, attracted nearly 1,700 junior high school and high school boys and girls. When the last bluerock turned to dust during Saturday’s 100-yard handicap competition, Jeremy Denny of Fremont won the prestigious Cornhusker Cup awarded to the high overall individual score with a 194X200 targets. Ari Bowhay, of Scottsbluff, won the High Lady Trophy with a score of 190X200 targets.
“The annual Cornhusker Trapshoot is the largest event of its kind in the world,” Hoffmann said. “Each year we see young trapshooters from across Nebraska and several other states travel to Doniphan for the big event. All three days of shooting went extremely well, even in Nebraska’s spring weather that often includes about every weather event possible.”
“The young trapshooters are athletes in every sense of the word,” he added. “They train and practice with purpose and compete in local and regional trapshoots to hone their skills. At the same time, trapshooting requires safe gun handling and use. It was great to watch the tremendous sense of purpose, resourcefulness and responsibility that the young shooters demonstrated each day”.
The annual Cornhusker Trapshoot is sponsored by the Commission and the NTA with hundreds of sponsors, donors, coaches, parents and volunteers that help make each year’s shoot an event that is the envy of the nation’s trapshooting and youth sport shooting communities.
The 40th Annual 2009 Cornhusker Trapshoot will be held April 30-May 2, 2009 and junior high school and high school students that would like to make the Cornhusker Trapshoot and trapshooting part of their lives should contact community trap clubs located across Nebraska. All participants must have completed Nebraska’s hunter education course to qualify, and scholarships for shooting ability and school grades are offered by Cornhusker Trapshoot and sport shooting groups that include Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association. For more information on the annual High School Cornhusker Trapshoot, contact the Commission and community trap clubs across Nebraska. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 301 E. State Farm Rd, North Platte, NE 69101-0430 or call (308) 535-8025 or email rocky [dot] hoffmann [at] ngpc [dot] ne [dot] gov
39th ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL CORNHUSKER TRAPSHOOT
Saturday Handicap and Overall Cornhusker Results
High School Handicap winners, 18-19 yards – 1st, Spencer Asher, Waverly, 95X100; 2nd, Darren Vacek, Roncalli, 94; 3rd, Garrett Tooker, Oak Creek, 92.
20-21 yards – 1st, Keith Hartley, Beatrice, 96X100; 2nd, Dillon Petrizilka, Oak Creek, 93; 3rd, Richard Durand, East, Lincoln, 93.
22-23 yards – 1st, Tye Smith, McCook, 95X100; 2nd, Devin Herrick, Rep Valley, 94; 3rd, Taylor Cieslik, Oak Creek, 93.
24-25 yards – 1st, Dallas Shoemaker, Norris, 96X100; 2nd, Caleb Stapaules, Fairbury, 96; 3rd, Mark Nollette, Rep Valley, 93.
Top Three High School Lady Handicap Shooters – 1st, Ashley Nau, Scottsbluff, 96X100; 2nd, Ari Bowhay, Scottsbluff, 91; 3, Stephanie Gardeman, Fremont, 89.
Top Three High School Handicap Shooters – 1st, Jeremy Denny, Fremont, 97X100; 2nd, Jon Schriner, Red Cloud, 97; 3rd, Tim Warta, Wilber/Clatonia, 96.
Top Three 4-H Handicap Teams – 1st, Oak Creek 4-H, Brainard, 454X500; 2nd, Rep Valley Trap No. 1, Hastings, 445; 3rd, Karp and Krow, Ord, 437. Winning Team Members: Dillon Petrizilka, Tanner Wemhoff, Garrett Tooker, Tanya Prothman and Taylor Cieslik. Coach, Norm Bruner.
Top Three Ladies Handicap Teams – 1st, Wilber/Clatonia No. 3, Wilber, 398X500; 2nd, Ord No. 1, Ord, 387; 3rd, Marian No. 3, Omaha, 385. Winning Team Members: Nicole Krivohlavek, Rachelle Bors, Hillary Korinek, Amanda Bors and Echo Anderson. Coach, Chris Krivohlavek.
Top Three High School Handicap Teams – 1st, Northstar No. 2, Lincoln, 444X500; 2nd, Beatrice No. 1, Beatrice, 443; 3rd, Wilber/Clatonia No. 1, Wilber, 441. Winning Team Members: Brad Hodgin, Tyler Sylvester, Lucas Barnes, Brian Masat, and Ben Barnes. Coach: Roger Hudson.
CORNHUSKER OVERALL WINNERS
Top Three 4-H High School Teams Overall – 1st, Rep Valley, Hastings, 878X1000; 2nd, Karp and Krow No. 1, Ord, 871; Oak Creek 4-H No. 1, Brainard, 871. Winning Team Members: Mark Nollette, Kelly Fainon, Jeremy Meyer, Devin Herrick and Brad Kohmetscher. Coach, Miles Doyle.
Top Three High School Lady’s Teams Overall – 1st, Papillion South No. 8, Papillion, 813X1000; 2nd, Rep Valley Trap No.3, Hastings, 812; 3rd, Ord No.1, Ord, 808. Winning Team Members: Melissa Harrack, Heather Woodle, Taylor Holzer, Jacquline Baude and Marissa Braddock. Coach, Mark Richards.
Top Three High School Teams Overall – 1st, Fremont No. 1, Fremont, 891X1000; 2nd, Scottsbluff No. 1, Scottsbluff, 889; 3rd, Grand Island NW No.1, Grand Island, 885. Winning Team Members: Jantzen Vekerna, Megan Assman, Jeremy Denny, Stephanie Gardeman and Jared Leland. Coach, Russ Leedom.
Top Three Individual Ladies Overall – 1st, Ari Bowhay, Scottsbluff, 190X200; 2nd, Asley Nau, Western NE Trap, Scottsbluff, 189; 3rd, Stephanie Gardeman, Fremont, 184.
Top Three Individuals Overall (1st Place is 2008 Cornhusker Cup Champion) – 1st, Jeremy Denny, Fremont, 194X200; 2nd, Caleb Stapaules, Fairbury, 193; 3rd, Dallas Shoemaker, Norris, 192.
Recent Comments