Page 64 - OSCSCI 38th Annual Banquet
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when there is way more to be I set up, and I still remember
gained from the sport. the exact time the deer walked
I’ve had the opportunity to grow out. It was 8:03 AM, and a ma-
up in a family that cherishes the ture doe walked to the feeder.
outdoors. I am so grateful that John hit the deer right on target,
this awesome sport we call and we watched it run thirty
hunting has been passed down yards and fall over. After seeing
through many generations in the smile on John’s face after
my household and is now upon shooting his first deer, I was
me. The tradition started with hooked. I was more excited at
my great-grandpa, who passed that moment than I had ever
the tradition on to my grandpa, been shooting a deer for my-
and he, in turn, passed it on to self. Right then I realized I
my father. Then my dad took it wanted to do this forever.
upon himself to My second time taking some-
teach me one deer hunting was with my
and my cousin Deacon, who also had
Senior Division Boy two broth- never been hunting. I actually
ers the im-
Grade: 11 Teacher: Travis Bradshaw portance of took Deacon to the same spot
that I took John to the week be-
Age: 17 School: Elgin Public hunting and the fore. That first morning, deacon
greatness
in-
harvested a doe. He was so ex-
volved in God’s cited he jumped on me after
Sharing the Heritage : creation. Now, after seventeen shooting the deer and hugged
years of my life following in my me. While we were cleaning the
father’s footsteps and learning
deer and hanging out with fami-
Hunting is not just a recreation-
al activity but also a way to con- the true meaning of hunting, I ly, Deacon asked me some-
have learned to do my part in
thing I will never forget, “When
nect with our ancestral roots
and preserve traditions. For passing along the long-lived tra- can we go again?”
ditions.
those who have hunted their
whole lives, it holds a special Over the past two years, I’ve … (to be Continued)...
taken on the noble mission of
place in their hearts. Fred Bear
said it best in saying, “A hunt introducing as many people as
possible to their first hunting
based on trophies taken falls far
short of what the ultimate goal experience. It all started when I
took one of my friends from
should be.” Way too many peo- school, John, on his first deer
ple nowadays take for granted
the excitement and joy that is hunt. John is hearing impaired
and has not had the same op-
involved in the outdoors. Too
many people hunt only for tro- portunities that I have had to go
hunting. I took John to a feeder
phies or public recognition 62
