Page 66 - OSCSCI 38th Annual Banquet

Youth Hunting Program boring sitting there for that long,
Senior Division Girl
Grade: 11
Age: 16 School: El Reno High
Sharing the Heritage :
Hunting has been an integral
part of human history, providing
nourishment, shaping cultures,
and creating a deep connection
between humans and nature.
From the time I was old
enough, I have had a string de-
sire to join in on being part of
this tradition. Unfortunately, my
aspirations faced setbacks due
to my father’s multiple back sur-
geries, leaving him unable to
take me on my first hunting ex-
pedition. Everything changed
when my mom entered me in a
youth hunt that the Oklahoma
(OYHP) was planning. OYHP’s so I hoped I would harvest my
program is focused on sharing deer that morning. The waiting
the heritage of hunting with time did not end up being bor-
young people who might not ing; rather it quickly became a
otherwise have the opportunity. lesson in patience and observa-
I was excited, nervous, and tion. By the third time going out
worried all at the same time. I into the blind, I learned that it is
wished I could have had my almost exactly time to shoot
dad take me on my first hunt, when the birds in the trees and
however, I will always cherish the bugs on the water start
the memories I had on that waking up. We were sitting
hunt. I met some amazing peo- across a pond, and it was the
ple and learned a multitude of most breathtaking sight. Rab-
things. bits would hop out and fish
When I would hit the top of the water to
first ar- get the bugs scattering across
rived at the surface. The sky looked as
the campsite
Teacher: Bill Reves – a horse barn – if it was on fire. It was the most
vibrant mix of orange and yel-
we unloaded our low. The pond gave a perfect
reflection, looking like it was
vehicle and put
everything into one filled with a fiery substance.
of the stalls. My initial skepti-
cism about sleeping in a horse …(To Be Continued)...
stall gave way to a mix of emo-
tions but it ended up being quite
enjoyable in the end. Once set-
tled in, we went over firearm
safety. We got to spend some
time at the range shooting pel-
let guns while also meeting the
guides. There was one guide
that really stood out to me. She
was easy to talk to and seemed
quite knowledgeable. She end-
ed up being my guide.
The next morning, we left for
the blinds at 6 a.m. and stayed
in the blinds for 3.5 hours. I
thought that it would be super
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