Take a Friend Hunting

Teamwork and Shared Memories

George wrinkled his face in a disgusted grimace as I finished my story. His disdain for my hunting story could not be made any more plain. This had happened before, but this time I chose not to ignore his demonstration. I asked him why he made faces at my story and in his thick eastern-European accent he explained that he did not think it was a good thing to kill animals. Rather than explain my viewpoint, I simply said to him “if you will sit in hunter safety class with a group of 12-year olds, and get your licenses, I will take you hunting with me.” Surprise registered on his face, and I adjourned the business meeting with my team.

Later in the day, George approached me to ask if I was serious about my offer. I enthusiastically told him I was quite sincere and I would even help him to navigate the process of getting the training, licensing, and firearm required. Surprisingly, he took me up on my offer and about 10 months later we were in the field searching for his first mule deer buck. He was so full of wonder at the entire experience, repeatedly exclaiming how beautiful and peaceful the hunting area was. He had several opportunities to fill that tag. To his credit, he passed on a shot he wasn’t comfortable with and he later passed on another easier shot on a small buck with a doe and a fawn, explaining “I can’t shoot him, he is with his family.”

This is your chance to teach how things are done, the right way!

This was a start of one new hunter on his adventure to explore his inner caveman. After two seasons, he still has not harvested his first big game animal, but he has had a blast trying. Even without pulling the trigger, he is a hunter.

From this example, a young lady on my team asked if I would help her and her husband to start hunting. I was quite excited for this opportunity and together we took a journey similar to George’s. Again, no animals on the ground after the first season, but they both had a great time and are presently getting ready for next year’s hunt. Yet another member of my team has shown interest and has started out by purchasing rifles for he and his family in preparation for his first hunt.

All of this came from one shared story in a staff meeting, and George’s willingness to explore. It also required one more thing…for me to extend my open hands to these folks and invite them to adventure in the hunt with me. Just imagine, one small conversation led to at least four new hunters taking to the field. Think about the power you have to influence a similar outcome with others.

This experience for me rewarded me with many warm memories of days in the field with adults that exuded the wonderment of children. This included me, as I explored all of the facets of hunting anew, through the eyes of these friends keen on becoming hunters. This gave me a new appreciation for just how daunting and difficult it can be to break into something new, especially something that involves firearms and the taking of another creature’s life. It became a solemn and wondrous exploration into another aspect of this already solemn and wondrous activity.

If every hunter could introduce just 2 non-hunters to hunting, it would not take very long to significantly swell the ranks of hunters. We can take this opportunity to introduce them carefully to the ethics involved in hunting and in firearm and weapon safety. This is your opportunity as an ambassador and keeper of the sport, to make a positive impression and introduce a positive and lasting influence for posterity. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a positive difference on your sport…this is your chance to teach how things are done, the right way!