Page 41 - Now2011ST

11 - 14 Year Old Girl Group Winner
Student Name: Brianna Sawyer
School: Boone-Apache Public Schools
Grade: 9
Age: 14
Address: Rt 2 Box 108B
Apache OK 73006
Phone: 580/425-1131
Teacher: Lesli Metzger, 580/588-3358
Hunting Sharing the Heritage
My heart is racing with submerged excitement as my dad says, “Shhh, be quiet.” Then, I see them; the string of turkeys
is walking so close I could have tossed a rock and hit one. My dad and I count over eighty turkeys on the roost after
hunting that evening making this hunting trip quite memorable and an amazing experience. Although I was only five, I
still remember that hunt vividly.
I began hunting with my dad when I was three years old. I remember sitting next to a tree and pretending to play the
quiet game so I didn’t make noise. At that age I didn’t care if we even brought anything home. I loved getting all dressed
up in my camouflage and spending time in the woods with my dad. Not much has changed over the years. Hunting with
dad is still one of my favorite pastimes and opportunities to learn more from him and continue the family tradition.
Sharing the hunting heritage isn’t something I do only with my dad; many people encourage me and provide the hunting
knowledge I have today. Their help they have bestowed over the years deserves recognition to educate others about the
hunting heritage and how to continue passing it down through the generations.
Different family members play important roles in my hunting experiences and heritage. My grandfather provides a
plethora of family hunting heritage. He lets me borrow his guns contributing many stories and histories for each
individual gun I use. It’s interesting knowing how family items pass down through the generations and their histories
give a sense of connection to the previous generations and their hunting experiences. Along with my grandfather, my
uncle Allen also impacts my hunting heritage. Uncle Allen is the one who took me turkey hunting for the first time. My
father has also been extremely influential to my overall hunting experiences and heritage. It’s amazing to have such
people to help continue the family’s hunting heritage and share incredible experiences and lessons.
Although my family plays quite an important role in my heritage and knowledge, other people have contributed as well.
My dad’s boss, Mark Conklin, often takes me hunting when my dad is not able to or is already taking my brother
hunting. Family heritage is important, but having the opportunity to learn from others is just as important to developing
one’s own individual hunting skills as well. I can’t forget to mention my teacher who taught me how to shoot a shotgun
this year so I would be able to go dove hunting. I learn so much from the wonderful people that take the time to share
their hunting knowledge along with their own stories about hunting.
Hanging onto one’s hunting heritage is important not only to help develop hunting skills and family heirlooms, but also
to help maintain a family history throughout the generations. One’s hunting heritage is not only derived from family, but
also through experiences and knowledge passed between comrades.