Growing Up Country: Hunting
First Time Out
Growing up the second of three daughters to a dyed-in-the-wool outdoorsman, I knew early on that my father had hoped to have a son, if only to pass along the hunting and fishing lore he had accumulated up to that time. My father loved nothing more than spending a day in the boat on Lake Michigan trolling for Coho or traveling to the mountains to track deer and elk, and I loved nothing more than spending time with my Dad, so by the age of 4, I was out there trekking through thigh-high snow following the hunters. When the big trips were out of reach, we stayed close to home and hunted rabbit and squirrel with my Dad’s best friend, Paul, who had a lovely pack of beagles for tracking game.
Most people look at me today, blonde, female, writer over 50, and find it hard to believe I shot my first rifle (a .22) at a target at the age of 5, and that while I no longer hunt myself, I definitely support hunting and the good hunters do to keep communities of game in check. I also still enjoy shooting skeet and targets. There’s something incredibly relaxing about focusing on that target and getting it just right. I will never be as good a shot as my father, but I never spent as much time trying to perfect the skill either. For me, it’s more of a release, a catharsis from the stresses of everyday life.
Preparing for the Hunt
My father would tell me a few days before that we were going out, usually on a Saturday morning, after either squirrel or rabbit. I never went on a deer hunt, and honestly, while I know deer need to be hunted to keep them from starving and falling victim to numerous diseases that can affect a herd, I have a hard time thinking of those big brown eyes and shooting that animal. I leave that to those made of sterner stuff.
I would look forward to these hunting days with great anticipation. Not only was it a chance to be all alone with my father, it was an opportunity to see new places, pet the beagle pack (which was very high on my list), and show my father I could be as good a hunter as any boy! He would wake me around 4:30 in the morning, and I would stumble into my freezing cold clothes. We never ran the heat very high in Michigan, and anything that wasn’t under the covers could be counted on to be freezing at that hour of the morning. We would have a hearty bowl of oatmeal together, talking softly in the half-light about the plan for the day and what we hoped to achieve. My father was always immensely proud that his 4/5/6-year old daughter could be counted on to be completely silent in the wild and to listen and follow any instructions he issued without question. He explained to me early on that when there are guns and ammunition involved, it is of the utmost importance that anyone on the hunt accept directives without hesitation.
To this day, Paul still comments on how unusual he thought it was for such a young girl to be such a good hunter. I wasn’t out there with a rifle of my own, but I was part of the hunting party, and everyone knew I could be counted on just like one of the adults.
We would watch the sun come up as we drove to our hunting site for the day or to Paul’s house to join up with him and the beagle boys. There were never many cars on the road, and something about that time alone with my father always felt rather magical.
Hunting in a Michigan Winter
Most hunting seasons in Michigan fall during the coldest months of the year. As a tiny tot, snow that was up to the adults’ ankles would often be up to the tops of my thighs. We didn’t have super warm clothing back then either, so I would have tights and maybe two layers of pants. Most of the time, I wore snow pants, but I can remember always getting wet. Boots were similar. Whether the snow and cold seeped in through the leaky sole, or the snow slid down the boot-tops, I always ended up freezing cold with snow and ice clinging to my socks. However, I knew better than to complain. Complaining was something my father abhorred. One complaint, and I would be classified a baby, and we would have to go home. I refused to give in, and many times,
I remember getting home and being near frostbite. I can also remember tracking a rabbit one time that led me into a hollow where the snow swam up around my waist. We didn’t have the dogs that trip, and I was taking their place, finding tracks and alerting my father quietly to the likely presence of game in the area. By the time we got back to the car, I was frozen and cold but my father usually brought along a thermos of hot cider, and we would warm up over a cup and talk about the events of the day. More than once, I fell asleep on the drive home and woke up to my father carrying me into the house.
Why Hunt Today?
Hunting is one of the few activities that get young people off their phones and out of the house these days. The exercise alone is outstanding – trudging through the rough country and sometimes through snow and ice is a great cardio workout, and when a hunt is successful, it’s a great feeling of accomplishment for a young hunter. While shooting rabbit and squirrel can be a great challenge and a lot of fun, the meat isn’t terrific, and there isn’t a lot on each animal. (Although, I have a friend who swears it’s all in the way you prepare it!)
Hunting deer is a better choice for someone really looking to provide meat for his/her family. One deer can feed an entire family for a winter! The other benefit is that it helps thin the herds. Last time I was home in Michigan, I drove from Grand Rapids to Detroit during the winter months and counted over 60 deer carcasses on the highways to and from. I never saw anything like that when I was a child. I’m convinced more deer are being hit by drivers, and therefore endangering more drivers, because fewer hunters are whittling back the herds. There has also been an increase in tick infestations and other diseases in deer herds in the US which has been attributed by researchers to the larger herds running unchecked by hunters.
There is truly nothing like the comradery, challenge, and fresh air of a hunt. Even on a snowy day, you’re getting a great workout and having fun with friends. Few activities bond people together like hunting, and the hunters in the Redneck Country series are a great example of that kinship and closeness. It may seem old fashioned, but sometimes the old ways are the best. If you have never hunted, find a group online in your area. I guarantee you will be welcomed with open arms. Hunters are always delighted to pass on their skills to the next generation, and you may be able to teach them a thing or two too!
