In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it is easy to let our traditions, like hunting together, get lost and forgotten. Children especially may not appreciate the skill and patience required to successfully bag a deer if they’ve never been taken on a hunting trip. In fact, statistics say that for every 100 adult hunters there are only 69 kids hunting, which paints hunting as a dwindling sport.
We at Wild Game Food Bank think it is so important to teach kids to hunt responsibly and safely. For one thing, it gets them out of the house and into nature. Connecting with nature is shown to reduce stress and depression. Sharing the tradition of hunting helps your children learn to respect nature. Plus, the physical activity of hiking through rough terrain or long distances is a wonderful exercise. Children will absorb these lessons without even realizing that they are acquiring lifelong skills and memories.
Another reason to teach children the sport of hunting is to help them learn to take only what they need. You can teach them to make a real difference in the community by donating your harvest to the Wild Game Food Bank. This simple act of generosity helps children learn to think beyond their own needs and to consider the impact their actions can have on others. It is a healthy way to enjoy the sport of hunting without letting anything go to waste.
This column is sponsored by Wild Game Food Bank.
BIO: Caitlin Meadows is the founder of Wild Game Food Bank. She proudly serves the community in this capacity while enjoying life as a wife, mom, and REALTOR®. A UF graduate and Gainesville native, Caitlin and her family have called Polk County home for the last ten years. Her husband is an avid hunter, which is what helped fuel the inspiration behind WGFB. Caitlin and her husband enjoy spending time outdoors with their son, attending church, and managing their cattle and chickens. To learn more about WGFB, go to wildgamefoodbank.com.