Roots

~Past~

Growing up in a small community meant a lot of things. You know everyone, your related to half of them, and you’re considered “Hicks”. But it also meant that my parents raised us kids how they were raised, in the woods. My parents were big hunters when they were growing up. Every year getting their stands up and gear together to freeze their butts off in a tree. Many times my parents would take me out to go “hunting”. This meant we were sitting in a lawn chair or on the ground and I was constantly moving because I was little and couldn’t sit still. I would get so excited when someone shot a deer. I would hold on to the antlers and poke their tongue thinking it was the coolest thing ever. I was raised in the woods, covered in orange, hoping for a deer.

~Present~

Recently my parents bought 120 acres of land. But it came 40 acres at a time. That land has brought us so close as a family. Our FFF (Forced Family Fun) was working at the land. We set up stands, made trails, and cleaned it up. Now with all the land we have more acers of trails for not only hunting but fun, and more stands to sit in and spread us apart. Now (2017) all three of us kids are hunters. Sharing the love of the sport. Saturday night (11/18) I had the opportunity to sit with my litter sister. It’s her first year hunting. It honestly was the best. She was so excited to finally be out hunting with everyone else. She even shot at a doe and that made her day! There is just something about hunting with the family that warms my heart.

~Future~

In the future, I want to raise my family the same way that I was raised. I want my kids to grow up outside, in the mud, working on projects, and lending a helping hand. I hope to one day teach my kids that hunting isn’t just about killing an animal with a cool gun. Hunting is about providing for your family. And being able to provide food through something that is fun is just a plus. I want to teach my kids that if they want something that they have to work for it. (If we wanted good hunting spots we had to help out with clearing the land and grooming trails. It was no easy task and definitely left you tired. But at the end of the day your reward was worth it). Nothing comes easy in life.