Getting the younger generations involved in our great tradition of hunting is something all sportsmen should strive for. Whenever you have the opportunity to take a youth hunting or fishing you are helping preserve our life long tradition of the great outdoors.

Recently the Central New York branch of the Quality Deer Management Association held a youth hunt. This year Brooke was one of the nominees for the hunt. The twelve year old young woman put the first deer on the meat pole with an excellent 85 yard shot. Brooke took the largest doe of the group and was very excited about her hunt.

I was fortunate enough to introduce my brother to deer hunting last year. We ventured onto some public grounds during the shotgun season and, similar to Brooke, he took a nice buck at 75 yards. That hunt got my brother interested in deer hunting, enough so that he took his bowhunter safety course this past summer.

This past September I took Derek on his first bow hunt and he had a great time even though we didn't see any deer that morning. That afternoon we had two deer come out of a bedding area and one came close enough for a shot, but wouldn't stop when Derek bleated at her. About an hour later the second deer came into range and Derek dropped it in its tracks.

It doesn't take much extra effort to take someone new into the outdoors. The experience is rewarding and to be a part of that person's first hunt is something you and they will never forget. So next time you have the chance, introduce someone to the outdoors and share with them our hunting tradition.