The Early Years
I started my hunting journey at 11 years old as a way to spend time with my dad. Although I wanted to shoot a deer, I thoroughly just enjoyed following my dad through the woods behind our house, looking for the elusive blacktail deer. In my eyes, my dad was the best hunter I knew, I could never remember a year when he didn't harvest a buck. If I wasn't out hunting with him, I was eagerly waiting at home to see what he'd bring back. My dad was very strict with gun safety and respecting and abiding by the game laws, so when he wasn't teaching me hunting techniques, he was reviewing gun safety the fish and game regulations. There was never a day wasted in the woods, even if we didn't harvest. These early memories are what created the foundation for the hunter I am today.
My Teenage Years
Once I started high school, I tried out for several sports and quickly realized traditional sports were not going to be my strong point. While the majority of my friends were at soccer practice and traveling for basketball games, I was in the woods scouting for deer and preparing for hunting season. I didn't have any female friends who hunted, so I spent most of my time in the woods with my dad, younger brother, or by myself. At age 19, I finally harvested my first blacktail buck on a solo hunt and from that point forward I knew hunting would be a permanent lifestyle.
Hunting into Adulthood
As I continued my hunting journey into my 20's, I started to become more ambitious about the animals I wanted to pursue. Ever year, after finishing hunting season in Washington, I would travel to Idaho to visit family and hunt whitetail. I enjoyed the challenge and learning new hunting styles and techniques and hunting other states.
Passing On the Tradition
Now that I am in my 30's, married and raising my own children, I have new hunting-related goals; I want to raise my son and daughter to love and respect the tradition. My daughter had her first successful hunts at age nine year; she shot a blacktail buck, several whitetail doe, and a ram. At age 10 she shot her first animal with a bow! My son enjoys rifle hunting and fishing! My husband and I have a newfound love for archery hunting together. In addition to hunting with my family, I have become passionate about international travel. I also have become more involved in teaching and instructing at outdoor events and working with outfitters to grow their business.
