Censored
Lane Bartley prepares for a shot at his first deer after he and the author stalked within range of a doe and button buck bedded on a hillside .
While some of the reasons for decline are difficult to mitigate , a big reason is an unwillingness for hunters to share the outdoors with other people . Laziness . Selfishness . Sure , that might bite , but there ’ s plenty of people who would go hunting , if only someone offered to help them .
We should be working diligently to introduce both youth and adults to hunting . Sharing it with young hunters instills the truth of hunting and conservation at an early age . Sharing it with adults helps create a hunter who is more likely to keep going , if only because they are more self-sufficient than a youth hunter .
Of course , most new hunters are created generationally . It ’ s passed down . While this method once maintained hunter numbers , it no longer can . We must expand our reach if we hope to grow our ranks .
First , look to people within your circle . Think about things they ’ ve said or done to suggest they might be interested in hunting . Then , just ask them . If they say no , ask someone else . But never stop finding people to ask .
Aspiring mentors who find themselves having trouble with finding a mentee should consider tapping into the available resources offered by wildlife agencies and conservation organizations . There are numerous opportunities to help with hunter education programs or mentor hunts . Community-based programs are growing in popularity , too . There ’ s a lot of good to be done if you ’ re willing to help .
When mentoring a new hunter , be tactful in your approach . Don ’ t focus on the kill . There ’ s so much more to hunting than filling a tag . Talk about the adventurous stories , incredible camaraderie , long-held traditions , proud heritage , exhilarating experiences and great food . Teach each meaningful aspect of the hunt .
Hunter education fosters valuable lessons in hunting laws , ethics and safety , while mentor or apprentice licenses allow those interested in hunting to give it a shot under the guidance of a mentor . Proper handling of firearms and bows is a serious subject and should be engrained before hunting . Spend time on the range .
Once in the field , let new hunters shoot the first legal animal they ’ re interested in . Don ’ t make them pass on a younger or smaller deer because it doesn ’ t meet your standards . If they ’ re happy with an animal , you should be happy for them . Dousing a new hunter ’ s enthusiasm right out of the gate is a surefire way to clip developing wings before they even take flight .
KEEPING A HUNTER Creating a hunter isn ’ t enough . You need to help maintain that hunter , especially until he or she becomes self-sufficient , which can take years .
This is true for several reasons . While it isn ’ t a macho sport , hunting can be intimidating to newcomers . For some people , it ’ s a serious leap to become an established hunter . So , while creating a hunter is difficult , retaining one can be even more so . Fortunately , there are things we can do to increase our effectiveness .
First , maintain a good hunting buddy relationship with your mentee . If he needs help , be there for him . If she ' s struggling with access to land , continue taking her while helping her solve this challenge .
Hunting requires many different skills , too . Even the savviest of hunters continue learning through their later years . In fact , we never really stop learning . That said , in the beginning , the
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