Sportsmen ’ s Alliance members have great stories to tell that speak to the success of conservation and their efforts to continue the traditions of hunting , trapping and fishing . We ’ re proud to share such stories in these pages , as they demonstrate the commitment of citizen Huntervationists . The Sportsmen ’ s Alliance caught up with Mike Jaicomo to talk about his unique path to becoming a dedicated all-around sportsman . The following is his story . Mike Jaicomo did not grow up in a hunting household or have much hunting influence at all until later in life . Finding his own path through the years has enshrined a passion for passing on the hunting and shooting traditions through connections and community .
“ There ’ s a lot of things to learn , and having a mentor makes the journey a lot easier ,” he said . “ Getting someone new out there , that ’ s what has to happen , or
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eventually the other side will win , and we won ’ t have a chance to do it .”
If it weren ’ t for a few kind individuals who had invited him along on a clay shoot , Mike would have never stepped foot in the hunting world . From that range day , he was invited on a pheasant hunt , and the rest , as they say , is history .
“ I ’ ve always liked the outdoors stuff , but hunting has become a passion for me ,” he said .
Unfortunately , Mike ’ s late-found passion wasn ’ t shared by everyone in the family . He wasn ’ t a hunter when he met and married his wife , and the change was difficult for her to wrap her head around at first . In fact , she routinely hoped for failure when he went hunting .
That is , until Gert came onto the scene with her undeniable influence .
There is nothing better than a good hunting partner , especially one who convinces your family that hunting is a worthwhile pastime . And for Mike , that
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hunting partner was Gert , a Labrador retriever who found her way into his family under dire circumstances .
“ They say you get one really good dog in your lifetime . That was her ,” he said . “ If you touched your hunting gear , there was no chance you were getting out of the house without her .”
Mike had gone hunting over a few Labs with friends one season and six months later received a call nobody ever wants to take . The voice at the other end of the line relayed the news that one of the dogs had tragically lost their 16-year-old owner and hunting partner . Having exhausted all other options , Mike was told if he didn ’ t adopt the dog , it would have to be put down . Of course , he stepped up and took the dog to the delight of everyone , for it was Gert who changed Mike ’ s wife from “ rooting for the animals ” when he went hunting , to cheering the dog ’ s success . She doesn ’ t just tolerate hunting now , but enjoys eating wild game meat .
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COURTESY OF MIKE JAICOMO ( 4 ) |