More than just shooting a squirrel

I’ve been looking forward to taking Donnie on his first squirrel hunt for a long time. In fact, I’d call it a bucket-list experience.

And I wanted it to be more than just going into the woods and shooting something.

Before we went hunting, I spent some time teaching him a little about firearms, how they work, and how to handle them safely. We did some target shooting with a .22 rifle, and I showed him the difference between a rifle and a shotgun.

I also wanted him to begin learning some basic woodsmanship. Things like using his eyes and ears, watching for movement in the trees, and understanding why a hunter needs to move slowly and quietly through the woods.

Those are the kinds of lessons my grandfather and other family members taught me when I was growing up.

And I was pretty pleased when Donnie remembered what I’d taught him about the shotgun we were carrying. That told me he was paying attention.

Making memories that will last a lifetime

We made this first squirrel hunt a family affair. Donnie’s mom and dad came along, and so did my partner in life, Linda Rose. Eventually, we spotted a squirrel, and I was able to get it. But the part I was really looking forward to was having Donnie help me retrieve it. I used to do the same thing with his mother when she was little. I’d shoot a squirrel, and she’d go get it. Now, all these years later, here I was doing the same thing with her son. That’s something pretty special to me.

Afterward, I even showed Donnie how I skin a squirrel and prepare it for the table. He got to help, ask questions, and see firsthand where our food can come from. I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll have to do these things with him. Hopefully, we’ll get to hunt squirrels again, and maybe someday we’ll go deer hunting or turkey hunting together. But even if we don’t, we’ll always have this first hunt. And years from now, when Donnie watches this video, I hope he’ll remember that day in the woods with his family and his Pap.

Because to me, that’s what introducing a youngster to hunting is really about. It’s not just about the game you bring home. It’s about spending time together, sharing what you’ve learned, and passing down a love and appreciation for the outdoors from one generation to the next.

And just like I tell my grandson, use your eyes to look, use your ears to listen, and when that gets inside your brain, see if you can learn something.