Getting People to Hunt

Getting People to Hunt

 

            First impressions can have a very large impact on your outlook on many things in life. Some can be good, others not so good. The impressions are the ones that cause us to pursue a similar situation in order to relive the same happiness or excitement. When it comes to first impression in the sport of hunting, they can be the deciding factor in whether or not a person decides to continue to hunt, and even become addicted to the sport like myself and many other people that I know.   In my opinion, for a person to have a first impression that lures them back to the sport of hunting time and time again, they don't need to harvest a trophy animal. Rather, I think it is more about creating an unforgettable memory with family, friends, nature, or one’s self.

When first getting into hunting, the hunter needs to be able to enjoy themselves and establish the idea that this is something they can do to get out into the woods and enjoy this moment in their life. This sport can create a place for stress relief, self-reflection, and a moment when you don't have to worry about the many things going on in your life. You can just focus on the wonderful experience of you connecting with the world that surrounds you.

            Over time, the Wisconsin Department Natural Resources(DNR) has recorded a gradual decline in hunter numbers in the state, which is a problem because of the major role that hunters play in managing the state’s wildlife. As a result, the DNR is trying to develop methods to get people introduced to the sport of hunting and to keep them interested in participating in the sport through time. One way that the DNR has addressed this gradual decline is through the introduction of the Learn to Hunt program. This program allows people of all ages to go out into the field with a mentor, someone who is experienced with hunting, and learn about all of the things encompassed in the sport of hunting. They learn about how to handle a firearm, how to properly identify the animal that they are pursuing, how to setup a stand location, how to establish a plan for harvesting an animal, and much more. This is an example of a program that provides new hunters the opportunity to go out and have a positive first impression with the sport of hunting.

            This type of a positive impression is one that can be the beginning of a long hunting timeline, and one that is filled with many educational opportunities and wonderful memories that will not be soon forgotten. So if you have never had the experience of hunting, I would encourage you to give it a try to experience something new and exciting. For the hunters out there, the next time you are provided with the opportunity to take a new hunter to the field to experience the great sport of hunting, I would challenge you to take that opportunity to go out and create a memory for you and an unforgettable first impression for the new hunter. You never know, you just might create some of the most amazing and unbelievable experiences for that person, now and far into the future.

 

By Jacob Anderson