This past Friday and Saturday I went to get my hunter's safety liscense (which is mandatory for hunting in Kentucky with the exception of those past a certain age and were grandfathered in when the law was enacted). Sadly being only one month away from the age of 23 I was the oldest person in the class. With the exception of a few high school students, the rest of the class was young kids with their fathers/uncles/grandfathers. I couln't help but lament the fact that I was robbed of the oppertunity to learn from those in my family the sportsman's tradition.
My father grew up in the country but was not a hunter, with the exception of a few squirrel hunts, with my grandfather when he was dating my mother. My mom hates guns and there have been none in thier home since my dad threw away a worn out .22 revolver that he used to kill rats in the barn when I was very young. Dad sold the farm when I was four and moved into the corporate world and I grew up a city boy. I was always intersted in hunting but my mother would not even consider the option. The television news had her convinced that I would most certainly die and my father having no interest in the sport would not consider it. Even though my grandfather would have taken me squirrel hunting if I'd wanted I was not allowed. Even when my high school Physics teacher offered me a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 due to my interest in firearms and WWII history, that was vetoed again by my parents.
College came around and I found a hobby, drinking. Hard parties and reckless nights consumed 2 years of my life. I couln't admit to myself that I had absolutely no self control when it came to alcohol. Then 2 and a half years ago I met a girl who I can thank for turning that around. My current girlfriend brought me out of that lifestyle and helped me grow up alot. Her father and step-father renewed my interest in hunting and shooting. Without bar-tabs and trips to the liquor store I had the money to start building a gun collection. This fall will be my first hunting seasons. Along with deer and turkery I hope to do some dove shooting.
Shooting has offered a new outlet for relieving stress and worries. Sadly I have come to that hobby late. Sitting alone in that hunters safety class I felt robbed of the opportunity that all the young children in the class were experiencing. I only wish my father had taken given me such an opportunity.
I know not all of the members of this board are hunters, but I think what I'm trying to get across to all of you is this: hunting is a great entry point to all the varied aspects of shooting. Pass the hunting/shooting tradition down to your children. Not only are you helping to secure a future for the 2nd Amendment, but you are giving them an interest/hobby that will distract them from other destructive activities.
I just want to thank every father/mother, grandparent, uncle/aunt who have passed the hunting tradition down to a younger generation. They may not have thanked you or appreciated the gift, but having missed out myself I recognize how incredibly honorable your actions were.
Anyway sorry about the rant I wanted to get that off my chest.
My father grew up in the country but was not a hunter, with the exception of a few squirrel hunts, with my grandfather when he was dating my mother. My mom hates guns and there have been none in thier home since my dad threw away a worn out .22 revolver that he used to kill rats in the barn when I was very young. Dad sold the farm when I was four and moved into the corporate world and I grew up a city boy. I was always intersted in hunting but my mother would not even consider the option. The television news had her convinced that I would most certainly die and my father having no interest in the sport would not consider it. Even though my grandfather would have taken me squirrel hunting if I'd wanted I was not allowed. Even when my high school Physics teacher offered me a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 due to my interest in firearms and WWII history, that was vetoed again by my parents.
College came around and I found a hobby, drinking. Hard parties and reckless nights consumed 2 years of my life. I couln't admit to myself that I had absolutely no self control when it came to alcohol. Then 2 and a half years ago I met a girl who I can thank for turning that around. My current girlfriend brought me out of that lifestyle and helped me grow up alot. Her father and step-father renewed my interest in hunting and shooting. Without bar-tabs and trips to the liquor store I had the money to start building a gun collection. This fall will be my first hunting seasons. Along with deer and turkery I hope to do some dove shooting.
Shooting has offered a new outlet for relieving stress and worries. Sadly I have come to that hobby late. Sitting alone in that hunters safety class I felt robbed of the opportunity that all the young children in the class were experiencing. I only wish my father had taken given me such an opportunity.
I know not all of the members of this board are hunters, but I think what I'm trying to get across to all of you is this: hunting is a great entry point to all the varied aspects of shooting. Pass the hunting/shooting tradition down to your children. Not only are you helping to secure a future for the 2nd Amendment, but you are giving them an interest/hobby that will distract them from other destructive activities.
I just want to thank every father/mother, grandparent, uncle/aunt who have passed the hunting tradition down to a younger generation. They may not have thanked you or appreciated the gift, but having missed out myself I recognize how incredibly honorable your actions were.
Anyway sorry about the rant I wanted to get that off my chest.
