I agree 100%. This year, when I was hunting with my son, Taylor, he decided to pass on a couple does our first time out. He had taken his first doe in December during late muzzleloader season, and was hoping for a buck of any size. Those two deer bedded down about 60 yards away for awhile. When they got up and left, we spotted a buck. We couldn't get to him before dark, but Taylor turned to me, and said, "Man, I'm shaking, and it's not because I'm cold. We need to hunt together a LOT this year". I don't think I could have a better hunting partner. Last Sunday, he did take a doe at last light, and was very excited and proud . . but not as much as his dad.
Something else that has impacted him has been the adults around us who hunt. In December, we were able to hunt with Cal Eldred, who pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals. The neat thing was that he just wanted to talk hunting, and he treated my son like he was the star. Five minutes after Cal went by the stand we were in, and before he even got to his stand, some deer rushed in, and Taylor was able to shoot his first deer. He will never forget when Cal came back to the truck at dark, and told Taylor to drop the tailgate and show him what he had shot. You would have thought it was a world record buck, instead of a large doe.
A person doesn't have to be a celebrity to impact a kid. Respect them, encourage them, and let them know they are important. I know the impact goes way beyond hunting season. Taylor is now a diehard Cardinals fan, but he is also just chomping at the bit to hunt with Cal again this year. And you can bet baseball won't be the center of discussion. I love it when people are humble enough to use their status to impact others. Any of you reading this should know that you can make a big difference in the life of a kid. If hunting is the way to do that . . . then do it. You will never regret it.
