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hunting. It is not just about the dogs, we could see our
hunting; it is more about the breath and see that the dogs
whole experience for me. started to sense the birds and
track them. As we were walking
My dad and uncle started one of the birds flew at me and
teaching me about hunting everyone was laughing so hard
when I was about age 6. When that the bird got to live longer.
I would go out with them and sit We did not care that no one
in the blind and listen to them was able to shoot, it was the
tell me about their hunting sto- memory that was made that we
ries and memories. They taught still talk about today and the fun
me that hunting is not just get- we had being with family and
ting a deer or shooting a pheas- the dogs. Those moments are
ant or duck, but about under- what makes hunting special
standing the land, the animals, and meaningful to my dad, un-
and the importance cle, and me.
of being a good
Lucas Padden steward of nature Hunting has taught me respon-
sibility that will last a lifetime.
and learning to re-
Junior Division Boy spect the animals You must be patient, quiet, and
that gave their life for respectful. You cannot just walk
Grade: 6 Teacher: Mr. Mautino me. Before every hunt, into the woods and expect to
Age: 11 School: Cleveland Public they would make sure that get something right away.
I knew the rules of hunting, Sometimes, you might need to
like making sure I knew how to sit for hours and not even see a
Hunting, Sharing manage a gun safely, how to deer, but it is okay. It is part of
properly identify animals, and learning patience and apprecia-
the Heritage: only take what I need and know tion of nature. It also teaches
that I can safely make the shot. you to respect animals. Hunters
Hunting is more than just going The memories of hunting with know that every animal taken
out to shoot animals. It is a way them both and learning about should be used properly,
of life for many that is passed their hunting experience and whether for food or other pur-
down from father to son. When making new memories with me poses. Nothing goes to waste.
you hear the phrase, “Sharing are something that I will never The time spent with family lis-
the heritage” to me they mean forget. tening to past stories and mak-
teaching others about their tra- ing memories is just as im-
ditions, skills, and the values One of my memories is walking portant.
that come from hunting. To me, down a dirt road with my dad,
hunting is about spending time uncle, and the dogs in the early
with my family and friends out- morning. It was cold and the
doors learning about wildlife sun was just coming out, and
and making memories while the puddles had a thin layer of
ice. As we walked and watched
