NDA-First Time Mentor

Today was a day of firsts. With the National Deer Association, I have the privilege of being a mentor in their Field To Fork program that aims to recruit hunters who haven't ever harvested a deer before. These mentees range from those who work for state agencies, people who have traveled the world, and even a lawyer in his 70's who has always wanted to say, "I got my first deer". Many have never held a firearm before today. Taking their first shots, it's an experience that I bet they never thought they'd have working in the big city, working in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, and working data analytics. The fact that they've all signed up for this experience is absolutely amazing. Starting with safety basics and conservation law basics of hunting, we progressed with some other basics; Beginning the Deer Camp Experience. Sharing drinks, good food, and great company we got to know each other, especially our mentee that we'd be taking. The eagerness of all the mentees was so awesome and provides an air of anticipation for the hunt to come. This is the classic evening-before experience before opening day, and it was a success. We went around the tables and introduced everybody both giving backgrounds and why we were there.

The picture shown was my testimony, my 'why' I was there to share my passion. I got emotional, quite instantly actually. My why has always been my Grandpa Seabaugh. He's the one who took me out early in the mornings, weathered my figgity youngster self. He taught me everything I know now about chasing wildlife, the game to be played, the respect that I have for the things I take. So as soon as all of those memories began to flood back to the forefront of my mind, it just took me by storm. I get my emotional side from my other Grandpa on my dad's side. I'm so very thankful for that gift, to comfortably share, feel, and show emotion when it matters. He would cry at every musical performance he attended that I was playing in, maybe not because the music was so beautifully moving, seeing as we were in junior high and then high school and all. I mean how 'good' were we really? But I know it was because he was proud, seeing his grandkids perform something they cared about. 

So not only when I think of one Grandpa and his impact on my life caring for my passion, when I get emotional it also immediately reminds me that I come from two cloths and two extraordinary men, and that steamrolled me too as I stood there proud of how they made me into who I am and I was getting a chance to share who I am with everyone. I feel it's my duty to share such things, to honor them both, and hopefully impart to them a lesson worth holding onto. The chase we call hunting, the being of outdoorsmen and women, the opportunities that we get while afield, the emotions we're blessed to feel and should feel are all things I hope they get a chance to experience this weekend. The mentees are eager, the mentors are eager and hopefully we have a lot of bloody hands and smiling faces. 3 Men stood up in the picture; Grandpa Seabaugh, Grandpa Kinsey, and me. 

Today was a lot of fun and I'm sure we're going to have a blast moving forward. I pray they have a good experience and learn to love this passion like we did. 

Till next time, I hope you hear ‘MO’ Gobbles, soon!!