I think that every outdoor dad dreams of the day that he’ll take his son out on their first hunt. It’s a rite of passage, a natural path that is followed by many. However, not every family follows in the traditional footsteps. For some of us, we are mothers who are raising girls in the woods and showing them how to hunt and shoot along the way. This was, and is, my American Dream.
I was raised in the middle of an array of brothers; I might as well have been one of them. I was always muddy, always outside, and always getting into trouble. My mom wanted a little girl who would wear pretty dresses and take music lessons…but instead she got me. My dad took me along with him to the woods to hunt and fish, and those adventures stayed with me and helped create who I am today. When I became pregnant with my first daughter, I knew that I wanted to pass along the love of the outdoors to her as well. I now have two beautiful girls that I am thankful for every day, and we officially have our own little girl gang.
As I don’t have any boys, it’s hard for me to say that there is a huge difference in introducing boys to hunting and the outdoors as opposed to introducing girls to the same. I think that the basic rules apply to both, and an equal amount of love and care is given when passing on something so special. However, I think that often girls will perceive things differently — and that is a wonderful thing.
I wasted no time in getting my girls in the woods. At a few months old they were being packed along in a backpack carrier to the turkey woods, being nursed to sleep under a giant oak tree, and viewing the morning sunrise from a high ridge in mid-October. The woods are something they have always known, and something I hope that they always come back to.
Over the past few years of motherhood, I have often referred to my own childhood memories of hunting with my dad, and built off the things that brought me joy the most. When I was ten years old I was fascinated with all things spring, down to every tiny detail. I loved looking at the lilacs that were shimmering with morning dew, watching the shadows of dawn turn into trees in the sun, and picking up every salamander that I could find. If I could give any advice about taking girls hunting, it would be to let them see everything at their own pace. If they want to stop and pick a bouquet of wildflowers or watch a caterpillar crawl up a tree, or just to sit at the base of a tree and enjoy the sun coming up — do it. These little things are what shape the hunt, and what will become the best memories.
As a kid I wasn’t squeamish when it came to the bloody part of hunting, however my sisters were. Because everyone is different, I erred on the side of caution when my girls witnessed it for the first time. Neither of them seemed to be bothered by it, and I found it a great way to teach a lesson on animal anatomy and what parts of the animals are utilized and how. Whether they choose to hunt when they’re older or not, they’ll at least have the knowledge of how to break down a whitetail and how to butterfly and cook a heart; both things may come useful.
My younger daughter is three…this is the age of backpack carriers and snacks handed back over my shoulder. Long naps with her head resting against the cushioned support, and her quiet breath fanning my hair. She takes joy in everything we do and because of that, I take joy in everything we do.
My older daughter is nearly 8 years old, the age of inquisition and wanting to learn to do everything on her own. Her wish this year is to finally shoot her first deer, and my plan is to make that happen. She has a natural ability to spot movement in the woods, and nothing escapes her eye. She is independent and likes to lead the way and take part in everything that I’m doing. By now I’m certain that she is as good of a woodsman as I am, and I know that it isn’t something that will ever leave her. This type of knowledge and experience stays with you forever, no matter if you stop doing it or not. One day she may have her own kids, and when she does, she’ll be able to tell them what type of bird is singing that song, and what type of leaf just drifted down on the breeze.
Ultimately, I think that both boys and girls tend to take naturally to hunting and the outdoor world; my girls are proving every day that Mother Nature is for everyone if you just take the time to enjoy it.
~ Written By: Beka Garris - DSG Outerwear Sponsored Ambassador, Hunt Team
