No Easy Solutions

Since I’ve been working with our Pass It On program, I’ve heard lots of ideas on how to get youngsters involved in hunting. Our problem was that a smaller percentage of our population was hunting and as a result, fewer youngsters were getting the chance to experience hunting. It’s a snowballing problem. Logically, we first looked at the barriers. Find out what’s preventing kids from learning about hunting and remove those barriers. It makes sense. However, we’ve learned that it’s not as easy as removing a few roadblocks and standing back. While removing any obstacle that may have prevented a parent from taking a child hunting is good, it’s only a small part of the solution. Especially when you consider that one of the biggest barriers may be “not enough time.” The time factor isn’t something we can sink our teeth into because what people are really saying is that hunting isn’t a priority. “Not enough time” means that other activities are higher on the priority list and probably easier to accommodate. For someone who lives in an urban environment, going hunting is an all-day event – probably more if you figure in the time it takes to get access and prepare equipment. So how do we overcome that? I believe the only way to remove that barrier is to get kids outside and participating, either through an outdoor skills event or special hunt. When we teach a youngster to shoot a shotgun or bow, or we show them how much fun it is to watch a bird dog work, and when they feel the adrenaline when a rooster flushes at their feet, they’ll be hooked. Some of those kids will discover that hunting is something they want to try again, and they will make it a priority for them and their parents. There’s no easy answer to this, and it will take every grassroots effort to make a difference. And I believe the value of the time spent working with young people in this endeavor will make a positive difference in their lives. I know it did in mine.