Young Texas Huntresses

Eleven-year-old McKenzie Yutzy is all smiles with this buck taken last season using a .243. This young huntress already wants a bigger caliber rifle.

The future of hunting lies with the next generation. This statement covers much more than can be discussed in one feature. Growing up provides youngsters many grand adventures often enhanced by the great outdoors. Hunting is an endeavor helping build character, skill sets, bonding with others, experiencing new things, and above all, creating memories lasting a lifetime.

As Texas’ population increases daily along with urbanization, our state’s wildlife resources most certainly feel the effects. The majority of our state’s hunters are aging, with most over the half century mark. Encouraging and mentoring new hunters is something all experienced hunters should be doing.

The Lone Star state’s continued hunting success is about new recruits, male and female. The annual TTHA Hunters Extravaganzas are one venue helping do so. Each event location has contests for hunters to bring their last season’s trophy buck for scoring and possible prizes. Youth hunters are welcomed enthusiastically.

Eight young huntresses brought a buck to one of the 2022 Extravaganzas in either Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. They took the time to tell this author a little about themselves and how they feel about hunting. Their bucks were taken from low- and high-fence properties with rifles or archery equipment.

Eleven-year-old McKenzie Yutzy lives in New Braunfels and hunts in South Texas and the Hill Country with her dad, Brian, and her brother. Both taught her how to hunt. Currently she uses a .243 rifle.

“My dad and brother attracted me to hunting,” she said. “I like it because you get to sit in a blind watching nature and all the animals. I also like shooting the deer. I don’t like waiting for the deer to come out.” Yet this young lady is well experienced having taken several whitetail and axis.

McKenzie said this about her future: “I would like to continue hunting more and I’m always looking for a bigger buck. I’d also like to introduce more of my friends to the outdoors and hunting. And I would like to look for a larger caliber gun, as I’m getting older.”

Blythe Brooks lives in Spring and hunts on low-fence property near Bruni in South Texas. Her dad, John, taught her to hunt. Whitetail with rifle and quail with shotgun are her favorite species and weapons of choice.

“I grew up hunting from a young age and enjoy the whole experience from the hunt to the kill,” Blythe, age 16, said. “The anticipation and excitement it brings when all the time and effort pays off.” She stated there’s nothing she dislikes about hunting.

Her future? “I hope to one day be able to travel the world and hunt bigger game animals.” Blythe said, adding, “My dream is to go on a hunt in Africa.” Fallon Clepper lives in Montgomery. She hunts near Sabinal for whitetail, using a .243 “to do the damage.” She began hunting with her dad, Julian, before she could walk. “My favorite thing about hunting is just being able to spend time in the outdoors with the ones I love and watching our deer grow big,” Fallon said, adding, they nickname deer. “I love to see a young buck turn into something amazing!” There’s nothing she dislikes about hunting. Fallon, 18, said, “I hope to graduate college with an ag or wildlife major. I hope to get more into duck/waterfowl hunting in the future. I’ve been after a buck three years until it’s old enough, so I’m hoping this year will be a deer of a lifetime for me.”TTHA photos

Ella Hawk, 17, of Huffman hunts in South Texas. This accomplished bow huntress has many accolades, as she began hunting at a young age. With her mom and dad as teachers, Ella said, “They taught me how to hunt basically from scratch. I love hunting and how much it brings my family together.”

She added, “Many say killing is the best part of hunting but not to me. I strive for the love and happiness coming from doing it as a family. Doing things like getting that shot on game wouldn’t be the same without celebrating with your favorite people. Being a part of nature, connecting with it and the environment is amazing.”

Ella said there’s nothing she dislikes about hunting. “Things don’t always go the way you plan or want them to, but that gives motivation.” She sees herself hunting the rest of her life. “I always strive for a bigger buck or the next game (animal).”

Ella concluded, “I can’t wait to pass the tradition and sport to my children and family, and to spend genuine time with them one day.”

Fifteen-year-old Macey Leichliter of Decatur hunts in Texas and Colorado using a 6.5 Creedmoor. “My dad taught me to hunt. I hunt with my family for meat, trophies, and memories,” she said. Her three favorite things: “The wait. We crack jokes, and talk about our day; the moment you’re fixing to take the shot; and the pictures with game.”

“I don’t dislike anything. It’s a great experience and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to do so.” Macey added. “I’ll continue to hunt throughout my life. I enjoy it and going with others to see them enjoy the challenge of hunting.”

Azura Linden, 13, of Fort Worth, said, “My grandpa Bo Linden is my teacher. I love spending time with him and (love) the thrill of shooting, tracking, and field dressing deer.” She’s an accomplished crossbow huntress who dislikes sitting still in the heat on family land near Fort Worth.

“We have fox. I’d like to get one or larger game such as elk.” This dynamic gal has her head on straight. “I love watching all animals in their natural state. I’m considering taking taxidermy when I get older.”

San Antonio resident Brooklyn Bowling hunts on her family’s Rancho De La Suerte in Encinal and at a friend’s place in La Vernia. The 15-year-old uses a .300 Win. Mag. on whitetail. “My parents both love to hunt, and once I tried, I liked it, too,” Brooklyn said.

She added, “I love the excitement hunting brings. Each time is a new experience plus I like spending time at the ranch with friends and love the environment.” Astute for her age, Brooklyn declared, “I dislike the negativity some have towards the sport of hunting. I feel like I have to be cautious about which friends I tell my hunting stories to.”

Brooklyn said she hopes to one day hunt in Africa and New Zealand like her parents. “My dream animal to hunt would be an elk.”

All these huntresses are smart, sharp, observant young ladies who relish the great outdoors and hunting. Many have definite thoughts garnered from the experiences of their young lives. Heed the advice about doing your part to take others hunting. You may help create a new young huntress.