Message from Ray Scott

Walker (L) and John-David Scott add their venison to the family freezer.

Most outdoorsmen agree that the single greatest danger to the sport of deer hunting today is falling participation. Fewer people are hunting for a lot of legitimate reasons. Unfortunately, however, fewer permits affect state and federal dollars that support many hunting and environmental programs.

Paradoxically at the same time that hunting permits are falling, the knowledge and the intensity of hunters are escalating. The Whitetail Institute is the prime example of that. The dedication and enthusiasm of our field testers continue to grow. It’s an interesting phenomenon! At the end of the day, though, I think it falls to all of us to try to bring more hunters — especially youth —into the sport in any way possible.

That is why this year I have watched my youngest son “little” Wilson with great interest now that his two older sons are 6 and 8 and are getting into hunting. Big time. I’m happy to say he is determined to leave a hunting legacy.

I had the privilege of training him up as a hunter so I have watched with interest as he is doing the same with a good bit more strategy and a whole lot more patience. From the earliest days he has taken time with them in the woods from general exploring to camp outs, and later to let them help as he plowed, mowed, seeded and worked with the farm equipment. Of course he patiently introduced them to appropriate weapons starting with Red Ryders and a few unfortunate birds and squirrels and working up to their 243s.

This past opening youth season was gratifying for us all. On opening day my 8-year-old grandson John-David shot his second deer and the following week his 6-yearold brother Walker shot his very first whitetail. The grand finales however were the trips to the processor to watch their very own deer being processed.

It was a really big day when dad brought the meat home in carefully separated grocery bags and they were able to put their own labeled meat in the freezer. They now know it’s their job to help “fill the freezer” as they eat venison all through the week and all through the year. Ray Scott Keeping the Hunting Legacy Alive