“We, the hunters, managers of the animal population.”

I am an only child; it is just my mom and I facing the challenges of the world, which can become pretty lonesome. I started watching hunting television shows at a young age thus sparked my interest in hunting. My mom helped further that interest by searching for youth hunting curricula’s, eventually we came upon the “Take One Make One” program. At that time, Sergeant Lynwood Kearse was just starting the program and made it a priority to get me involved in a hunt.

Eventually, I became involved with the “Take One Make One” program when I was about ten years old. Yet, I did not become an official member until I was twelve. T.O.M.O. helped me get out of the house, put down the videogames, and learn to experience the beauty of nature. In fact, the first time I entered a deer stand, I became addicted to it. I can recall the peacefulness, listening to the creatures, and seeing a majestic deer grazing in its’ habitat. It was an unbelievable experience that I will never forget.

My mom and I used to joke about how hunters are simply “conservation killers”. In our wit and incomprehension, we w...