Let’s taco bout it

Waking up at the crack of dawn in order to make it to the “I started hunting because my dad and my older siblings blind by sunrise. Carrying heavy equipment up a ladder. were hunting so they got me into it,” Clark said. Sitting in the freezing cold anxiously awaiting a glimpse Being introduced to hunting by family is a common theme of an opportunity to shoot. Nervously taking a breath before with teenage hunters. Hunting traditions and teachings can be taking the shot. Trudging through the forest attempting to passed down from generation to generation. While for most find the animal after the shot has been made. While this does hunters, the pros outweigh the cons, there are some difficulties not sound appealing to many, the rush of the experience is to the sport that drive some away. something that has drawn students toward hunting. Senior “The fun part is when you get something and go to track Katelyn Kreimendahl said she began hunting in 2020 and her the blood and try to find the animal,” Cook said. “Being able to love for it has only grown. find the animal is fun, because you get to see how big it is and

“My favorite thing is just sitting there; it’s kind of relaxing,” what you scored. The not so fun part is waiting for an animal Kreimendahl said. “You get to watch the view, the scenery. It’s to come out because sometimes you’ll sit out there for hours kind of cool. Especially bird hunting. You just get to watch. and leave with nothing.” Then with raccoon hunting, you get to see the stars at night.” Hunting tends to be a mixture of relaxation and excitement.

While hunting can be a way to see beautiful scenery and Kreimendahl said she dislikes the walking aspect of hunting. connect with nature, it can also be a thrill-seeking experience. On the other hand, something that keeps Kreimendahl hooked Kreimendahl said both of these emotions come along with is the calmness of the night. hunting. “With raccoon hunting, I really like watching the stars,”

“I mean, it’s all relaxing until you actually shoot something Kreimendahl said. “It’s so peaceful and quiet at night.” and then the adrenaline gets going,” In a world of diverse and contrary Kreimendahl said. “Especially with me, opinions, there are always people that will my first time hunting was this year, so it “With raccoon have negative things to say about people’s was new to me and the adrenaline would start going when I hit something because [I hunting, I really like interests or hobbies. Some people disagree with the concept of hunting. However, thought,] ‘how did I do that?’” As a beginner, each kill is exciting for watching the stars; Kreimendahl believes that is vital to keep balance in the ecosystem. Kreimendahl. The shot that was most it’s so peaceful and “To me, it’s kind of just that raccoons prideful for her was two ducks. She said it was a defining moment because it was quiet at night.” and opossums are pests,” Kreimendahl said. “They get into stuff. Deer are overpopulated unexpected and made her overwhelmingly and they carry diseases. So, it’s better to get happy. | seniorkatelynkreimendahl the diseased ones out; you can’t eat those.

“I was duck hunting and it was probably It is better to keep them controlled to where the last hour we were there,” Kreimendahl it’s not overgrown.” said. “We were like, ‘we’re not going to Clark agreed with Kreimendahl’s opinion see anything. We’re not going to see anything.’ And all of a and said preventing overpopulation is a key reason for sudden, we saw some ducks so we started calling in and three hunting. He said the animal does not go to waste; it is used for came flying in and circled around us, and then we went up to meat and fur. Another positive thing about hunting is knowing shoot and we got two out of the three, which is better than how to obtain your own food. Kreimendahl said hunting is a none. But, I hit both of them, surprisingly, for my first time, good skill in order to be self-sufficient in case of an emergency. so that made me super proud. And I was so happy that I was Each hunter has a preferred weapon of choice. For Cook, this shaking.” is a Savage Model 99 M .308.

Junior Kendyl Cook said she also experiences a feeling of “I either use a 12-gauge shotgun or a 65 Creedmoor rifle, adrenaline and excitement when hunting. The risk / reward depending on what game I’m hunting,” said Clark. nature of it provides an uneasy, yet admirable feeling for some No matter the gun being used, each hunter has their hunters. Cook said she has been hunting since she was young own approaches, strengths and weaknesses. Living in the on land in LaCygne, Kansas. Hunting is used as a bonding time Midwest, in a relatively spaced-out area, provides students for her and her family members. with opportunities that others may not be privileged to have.

“My most recent kill was a 12-pointer buck,” Cook said. Among these three students, a common theme is the joy “And it was only about a month ago.” surrounding the sport and fond memories.

The ‘pointing system’ for bucks is related to the size of “My favorite thing would probably be the feeling when it the antlers. Sophomore Will Clark hunts multiple types of happens all so quick,” Cook said. “It’s exciting. Especially since animals including deer, pheasant and bobcats. Clark said he you don’t know if you’re going to get one every time; it’s like has been hunting for seven or eight years. a hit or miss.”

| elliephillips