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Decision Time
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February 26, 2009
Decision Time
By Kim Hiss
In my usual wanderings around the Web, I came across this article by Wisconsin eighth grader Kimmy Czekus, on the site Newsofthenorth.net. She's been studying "deer hunter behavior" at the Rhinelander Environmental Stewardship Academy, and says she's thinking about becoming a hunter. Her article launches into all the reasons she's deciding to give the sport a try.
While she's still, "giving serious thought" to taking the life of a deer, she reasons that because she already shoots a recurve bow, enjoys nature, and has begun to understand her state's outdoors tradition, hunting might be the next logical step. Toward the end of her essay, Czekus promises that, "If I hunted in the future, I would use a bow and really cherish the animal when it's killed. I would never do anything to disrespect the spirit of the deer; I will cherish it and the food it will provide my family."
I was touched by such serious consideration on the part of a young non-hunter from a non-hunting family. It reminded me of my early thoughts when I first decided to start hunting in 2003. Just ask David E. Petzal, my shooting instructor and de facto guidance counselor on the topic of, "killing Bambi," as he put it. As he well knows, I put a lot of thought into that first hunt, weighing my reasons for hunting against the taking of a life.
Do you remember your thoughts before your first hunt? For some who were born into the tradition, hunting was likely a foregone conclusion. But for others, who entered the sport from the outside, maybe the decision was a little less obvious. Either way, I hope each of you had a David E. Petzal of your own as a guide. I hope Czekus does as well -- she sounds like a good kid to have on our team. -K.H.
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Comments (15)
Kudos to Kimmy, my faith in the next generation has been resurrected in reading how well she has thought through all of the issues and has come to a logical conclusion with conviction, understanding, and responsibility.
I think this is a young lady who has a very well thought out argument. Regardless of her choice, she sees both sides of the situation and has and understanding of what her choice will mean. Hopefully she will have a mentor who can help her in her first hunt, and someone who can mentor her family as well.
it's a great idea to have someone with you for your first hunt who really has an understanding of what it means to take an animal's life. they can help explain things more clearly so that regret doesn't ruin the whole experience for the hunter forever.
You let Petzal mess with your mind?
thats what i like to hear. more non-hunters becoming hunters
Wow, that is great. A kid deciding they want to try hunting eventhough family has not. Being a teacher and a hunter, I am witness to both sides. Those students like me who love to hunt and fish, and those who couldn't think of killing and eating something like that. An open minded kid who weighed her options and made an educated decision. (If only we could get politicians to do the same.? I say Kudos to Kimmy's parents for keeping an open mind also.
i was born into a hunting family, and i have no regrets.
Nate
When I was younger I really didn't think much about taking a animals life. As I reached about 35 I started to realize the beauty the trigger takes and now at 46 I tend to be a little more hesitant pulling that trigger than I used to be. I find myself turning down shots that I would have taken without a second thought years ago. Now I almost always wait for the neck shot because it is so instantly terminal. Don't get me wrong, I love my venison and look forward to putting it in the freezer each fall. I think a young hunter needs to realize that this animal could die from a thousand different things so killing one to sustain your body and the bodies of your family is something that humans have done for centuries. Just be sure to do your best to end their life as quickly as you would hope your own would end.
Walt, I think we have similar thoghts. I am more aware of the result of that bullet or arrow I launch out as I get older. I don't think I cosidered what taking a life meant when I first started to hunt. I always feel a bit of sorrow when I take an animal and Kim at 13 or 14 is well beyond her years in this aspect.
My youngest daughter has had some conflicts with taking an animal. She loves to go with me and this year thought she'd take a shot at a deer. Being small for her age, the gun is part of her uncertianty, but the taking of a life is her other issue. She is fine with someone else harvesting an animal, but has realized at the young age of 10 that it is different when you are the one pulling the trigger.
My hats off to Kim for her young wisdom, what a great roll model, weather she takes that step to hunt with her bow or not.
I think it's terrific that Kimmy is making an educated decision and I think it's even better that her parents are letting her make and will respect her decision. I hunt with 2 Kids who are about the same age quite often. The girl doesn't really seem into it at all but her parents want her to. She has missed every deer she has shot at in the last 3 years, broad side at 30 yards and I know she is a good shot in target practice. Every time one of us gets a deer she goes on about the poor deer. On the other hand I have had to park my adopted son's butt for taking shots at deer that clearly would have injured and not killed the deer. It disturbs me that he seems to only want to be able to brag about his hunting with little regard or appreciation for the prey. He was better this year and this could just be his need to be one of the "guys".
I had a great mentor in my buddy Matt, I would recommend Kimmy get herself a good hunting buddy/mentor and most importantly listen to what they teach you. Their experience is invaluable.
I want to track down our young hero Kimmy Czekus to pass along our well wishes -- also to find out what she decides! And yes, Jim in Mo, ill-advised as it may seem, I did let Petzal mess with my mind. And I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. -K.H.
amazing how you turned out even after petzal. good for you.
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it's a great idea to have someone with you for your first hunt who really has an understanding of what it means to take an animal's life. they can help explain things more clearly so that regret doesn't ruin the whole experience for the hunter forever.
Wow, that is great. A kid deciding they want to try hunting eventhough family has not. Being a teacher and a hunter, I am witness to both sides. Those students like me who love to hunt and fish, and those who couldn't think of killing and eating something like that. An open minded kid who weighed her options and made an educated decision. (If only we could get politicians to do the same.? I say Kudos to Kimmy's parents for keeping an open mind also.
When I was younger I really didn't think much about taking a animals life. As I reached about 35 I started to realize the beauty the trigger takes and now at 46 I tend to be a little more hesitant pulling that trigger than I used to be. I find myself turning down shots that I would have taken without a second thought years ago. Now I almost always wait for the neck shot because it is so instantly terminal. Don't get me wrong, I love my venison and look forward to putting it in the freezer each fall. I think a young hunter needs to realize that this animal could die from a thousand different things so killing one to sustain your body and the bodies of your family is something that humans have done for centuries. Just be sure to do your best to end their life as quickly as you would hope your own would end.
amazing how you turned out even after petzal. good for you.
Kudos to Kimmy, my faith in the next generation has been resurrected in reading how well she has thought through all of the issues and has come to a logical conclusion with conviction, understanding, and responsibility.
I think this is a young lady who has a very well thought out argument. Regardless of her choice, she sees both sides of the situation and has and understanding of what her choice will mean. Hopefully she will have a mentor who can help her in her first hunt, and someone who can mentor her family as well.
You let Petzal mess with your mind?
Walt, I think we have similar thoghts. I am more aware of the result of that bullet or arrow I launch out as I get older. I don't think I cosidered what taking a life meant when I first started to hunt. I always feel a bit of sorrow when I take an animal and Kim at 13 or 14 is well beyond her years in this aspect.
My youngest daughter has had some conflicts with taking an animal. She loves to go with me and this year thought she'd take a shot at a deer. Being small for her age, the gun is part of her uncertianty, but the taking of a life is her other issue. She is fine with someone else harvesting an animal, but has realized at the young age of 10 that it is different when you are the one pulling the trigger.
My hats off to Kim for her young wisdom, what a great roll model, weather she takes that step to hunt with her bow or not.
I want to track down our young hero Kimmy Czekus to pass along our well wishes -- also to find out what she decides! And yes, Jim in Mo, ill-advised as it may seem, I did let Petzal mess with my mind. And I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. -K.H.
thats what i like to hear. more non-hunters becoming hunters
i was born into a hunting family, and i have no regrets.
Nate
I think it's terrific that Kimmy is making an educated decision and I think it's even better that her parents are letting her make and will respect her decision. I hunt with 2 Kids who are about the same age quite often. The girl doesn't really seem into it at all but her parents want her to. She has missed every deer she has shot at in the last 3 years, broad side at 30 yards and I know she is a good shot in target practice. Every time one of us gets a deer she goes on about the poor deer. On the other hand I have had to park my adopted son's butt for taking shots at deer that clearly would have injured and not killed the deer. It disturbs me that he seems to only want to be able to brag about his hunting with little regard or appreciation for the prey. He was better this year and this could just be his need to be one of the "guys".
I had a great mentor in my buddy Matt, I would recommend Kimmy get herself a good hunting buddy/mentor and most importantly listen to what they teach you. Their experience is invaluable.
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