Best Christmas Gifts

I know now that our family went through some lean times financially when I was young, but Mom and Dad kept me from realizing it then. They somehow always managed to make sure my sister and I had the things we needed. At Christmas, we weren't lavished with lots of expensive gifts, but I always felt special. Mom and Dad would prod us for one gift we really wanted, and we usually got it. I didn't have expensive tastes then, but I usually wanted something that had to do with hunting and fishing. I still have a Weaver variable power rifle scope I got my twelfth Christmas. It's still attached to the .22 rifle that belonged to my Granddad, who gave it to my father, who gave it to me. And I still remember the Christmas I opened a large, rectangular box to find a beautiful Remington BDL .243 bolt action rifle. I hadn't asked for it, thinking it too expensive, but Mom and Dad somehow managed to buy it for me. I killed my first mule deer with that rifle the following fall, and even though I don't rifle hunt much anymore, it's one of my most prized possessions. I recently loaned it to a friend so he could take his grandson deer hunting. He wondered if I was interested in selling it. I just laughed and said I could never part with that gun. It's far too special because it carries the memories of that Christmas and all the hunts that came after.

The Life Journey of Hunting

When someone passes on the hunting heritage to another person, what they're really doing is helping that person embark on a life-long journey. The hunting journey's destination is never arrived at because it is always changing. You may have heard of the five stages of the hunter. The first stage is the "Shooter," and it's especially true with young hunters. During the shooter stage, a successful hunt is marked by lots of shooting and opportunities. The second stage is the "Limit" or "Bagger" stage. In this stage, a successful hunt is when the hunter takes a limit of game. The third stage is the "Trophy" stage. During the trophy stage, the hunter measures success by taking trophy-class animals, such as a deer that qualifies for Pope and Young. Success during the trophy stage requires more time, better skills and the possibility of coming home empty handed. The fourth stage is the "Method" stage. During this stage, the way a hunter hunts is the most important and satisfying aspect. Hunting ducks over decoys or bowhunting deer are good examples of method hunting. The final stage is the "Sportsmen" stage. During this phase, the hunter focuses on the overall experience and is likely to mentor other hunters, finding as much enjoyment in their success as in his or her own.

The fact that a hunter's goals and aspirations are always changing is one of the true joys of the hunting journey. And it's possible for a hunter to be in several different stages at the same time. A hunter who has hunted waterfowl for years may be firmly in the method stage, hunting over decoys and measuring success by the effectiveness of the decoy spread and calling. However, if that hunter recently took up turkey hunting, he or she is likely still in the early stages of evolution, wanting lots of opportunities and experiences to learn from. The final stage is truly the pinnacle because a hunter has learned to enjoy every aspect and minute of every hunt, including the preparation. Results are unimportant, and success is always attained.

Grounded In The Outdoors

Last week I attended a birthday celebration for one of my best friends. Rex and I spent a good deal of our youth hunting and fishing together -- the rest we wasted, as the old joke goes. While trying to think of a good birthday card to give him, I found an old picture from our first deer season. Rex killed a muley buck on the first day and I killed one on the second. On Saturday, my granddad accompanied me and Rex's dad came along with him. Granddad gave us instructions on how to field dress Rex's buck that first day. On Sunday, it was just Rex and me, and I remember crawling up to the fence row and peering out over a feed field with six or seven deer on it. The deer, 150 yards away, were aware of us and began trotting toward the trees. Rex excitedly told me to shoot the biggest buck and made sure I knew which one it was. My first shot was high, but the second connected, and the buck crashed into a grass waterway. Rex was watching it with binoculars, giving me a play by play. He handed the glasses to me so I could watch, and I tried. But by then I was shaking so badly, I couldn't hold them steady. I handed them back and said, "You watch." We field dressed that deer trying to remember Granddad's instructions from the morning before. Those hunts were 35 years ago, and I've just recalled the details as vividly as if they happened yesterday. It never ceases to amaze me how learning to hunt and fish when I was young has impacted my life and stayed with me. Those experiences and memories keep me grounded today and remind me how important our outdoor resources and hunting heritage are.

Try A Pop-Up Blind

We are fortunate to have some fantastic deer hunting opportunities in Kansas, and the adrenalin rush of watching a deer walk into range can often hook a young hunter. However, hunting from a treestands with young hunters may not be practical or safe. Hunting from a ground blind is often effective during the firearm season, but it may require that youngsters hold still for long periods of time, depending on the blind and its placement. But there is a way. At special youth hunts, KDWPT staff discovered that pop-up blinds can be the perfect piece of equipment for youth/mentored hunts. Many commercial pop-up blinds are large enough to told two or even three hunters, they are light, easy to set up and can be moved if the wind direction changes or deer patterns shift. It's best to have a blind in place for several days before use, and large blinds may require some brushing-in to make them less conspicuous to deer. But there is no doubt that they are perfect for young hunters because they hide movement and even mask noise a youngster may make whispering questions or eating snacks. They can also keep youngsters warm on cold, windy days. Try a pop-up blind this season. And as the photo shows, a pop-up blind can be perfect for taking youngsters who aren't quite ready to hunt themselves, but will have a great time tagging along.

It Only Takes One

I know that some hunters are discouraged by bird numbers in some regions of Kansas this year. After last year's banner season, this year's bird populations may give hunters an excuse to stay out of the field. However, I just want to point out one thing if you have a youngster who's champing at the bit to hunt. It won't take lots of birds for the young hunter to have a great hunt. In fact, it will only take on bird to create a memorable day. I wouldn't recommend an all-day forced march, but a short hunt where several small tracts are walked could be just ticket. Even if there aren't any opportunities, a drive to the country, walking a few fields and watching a good dog work is better than sitting in house this holiday weekend. Keep your expectations realistic and the hunts short. And remember, if one rooster flushes in range, you'll have a day to remember. And if the youngster connects, you'll both remember this day the rest of your lives. It only takes one.

Making The Best of It

In an entry this summer, I wrote about how things we work for mean more than things that come easy. I referenced a fishing trip to Colorado with my friend Rex when it was very cold and windy, but we fished hard and caught a few really nice trout. Conditions were tough, and it was a frustrating at times, but in the end, Rex said, "You know, I think this was one of our best trips." I had to agree. We'd made the best of the situation and managed to thoroughly enjoy ourselves despite lack of cooperation from the fish and the weather. Perhaps making the best of any situation is something you figure out as you get older. My cousin Brad and I did the same this past weekend. He came for pheasants, knowing that bird numbers were low in the area we would hunt, and wouldn't you know it, the weather was uncooperative again. However, on this trip the weather was too nice. We had daytime temperatures in the 70s and very little wind. I know we shouldn't complain about those conditions, but they weren't the best for duck and pheasant hunting. We made the best of it, though. We fished farm pond crappie one morning, hunted ducks on a beautiful pasture slough three mornings, and even managed to find a few pheasants and quail. No big numbers or limits taken, but enough to satisfy. We had our parents visit the little farm house we stayed in for a beautiful evening and supper, and we mainly kicked back and forgot what day it was. It was a great weekend. I know 20 years ago I would have been frustrated by a perceived lack of hunting success, but I've outgrown that attitude, and so has Brad. We ended the trip supremely satisfied and relaxed, and that should have been the goal along.

Opening Day Tradition

This Saturday is opening day. In Kansas, opening day means pheasant and quail seasons. We have a long tradition of bird season opening days, and hunters across the state are gearing up for Saturday morning. I've been looking forward to it since last opening day, but I've been thinking about it a lot recently. My cousin Brad is coming out from Kansas City, and I'm really looking forward to kicking around the fields of Kiowa County with him and the dogs. The bird hunting forecast for that area isn't very positive because the of the drought and summer heat, but we'll still have a great time. The experience is what you make it, and I know we'll work hard and earn our birds. We'll appreciate every opportunity, and the birds we get will mean something. I've heard hunters make excuses for not taking young hunters when bird numbers are down, saying that youngsters need lots of action or they won't like hunting. I think you can make any hunt meaningful, even without lots of birds. When populations are thin, take young hunters. Just make the outings shorter. Take time to learn about deer rubs and scrapes, and talk about the biology, habitat, and weather factors that control our bird numbers. Sit under and tree and eat a sandwich and talk about things other than hunting. I've said it before -- youngsters won't remember how many birds you bag, but they'll never forget that you took time to take them hunting. Don't miss an opportunity.