We live in a crazy world. Some of the most and scorned and vilified people are actually some of the most caring and giving humans walking around on this rock we call home.
Hunters are an easy target these days for those who don’t understand and accuse us of “just wanting to shoot something.” Even during this often negative climate toward hunting and shooting sports, there are hundreds, even thousands of new hunters and young people who would love to go hunting, would love to be a part of it all — if they only had a chance.
In Monroe County here in my home state of West Virginia, I recently saw that dream of going to the woods and becoming part of our hunting culture become a reality for a bunch of wonderful young people. It all happened because of a dedicated group of West Virginia Division of Natural Resources officers and volunteers — at this point, volunteers who don’t even know how much time and money they have spent on making a kid’s dream come true.
On Oct. 18, these volunteers, DNR Law Enforcement officers, DNR Wildlife Resources personnel, family members and others met at the Willow Bend Agricultural Innovations Center farm near Union. Here, 22 excited young hunters would spend the day getting hunter safety and firearms safety classes, having target practice, enjoying a great lunch and then, in the afternoon, going deer hunting for the first time with the help of officers and volunteers.
(READ MORE: When it comes to attracting new hunters mentors matter)