I decided to take a different approach to the annual antler and horn measuring event at the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association this year.
It is an intergenerational event with a goodly number of young people between the ages of nine to 15 years of age. I interviewed several of the children present (with their parent’s permission) and my primary questions were specifically directed at why they were interested in hunting. Some of the answers will surprise you.
A word about the antlers at this year’s event – there were many exceptional sets of antlers as usual, but the thing that stood out was the large number of Roosevelt Elk entered from Vancouver Island.
Throughout the day there was a changing array of antlers as sets were measured and others entered, but I would estimate that in excess of 10 sets of Vancouver Island elk were entered, many of which would make the trophy records book. By what we saw at the event, our deer and elk herds are in excellent shape.
Interviews:
Liam Vandervoort – age 11 – “I like to hunt because my dad hunts. We hunt for meat. I shot my first grouse hunting with my dad this year, we got three. I shot mine with a .22 rifle. I want to be a hunter.”
Stephie Smith – age 9 – “I like to hunt with my dad and his friends. I was with my dad when he shot a buck this fall and I helped him clean it. I like it when we try to find deer. My dad says I have a sharp eye for spotting deer. My favourite deer meat is pepperoni and sausage.”
Erik Pinkney – age 15 – “I hunt for the exercise. I enjoy it a lot. I have shot six deer, one bear and many grouse. My favourite meat is venison. We make our own bear and deer sausage and pepperoni. I tie my own flies and enjoy getting out with my family.”
Rebecca Harper – age 11 and Myia Dunn – age 11 – “We are just learning to shoot a .22. Myia hit the target on her first shot.” Rebecca wanted to learn to hunt, but Myia was not sure. “Elk and deer taste good and I think it would be fun to hunt,” said Rebecca.
William Gee – age 10 soon to be 11 – “Next Saturday I take my hunting CORE exam. I want to hunt deer this year. We went camping and moose hunting last August. While we were moose hunting I shot nine grouse. My dad shot a moose and I helped dress it. I love camping and hunting. We hunt in the Quesnel area.”
Amaya Gavin – age 13 – “It is a good time to be out with my dad. It gives me exercise and I have learned all my survival gear. I have shot one elk. I like hunting, especially when you shoot a deer and then track it to find it. It is very exciting when you find the animal. I have shot one white-tailed deer and two Island black-tails. Pepperoni is one of my favourite meats. One time when we were camping a grizzly bear came into the camp and I was really scared.”
Note – This is a family interview with Mark and Sherry Streeton and their 5-year-old son Justin and 10-year-old daughter Shaylee. The family is new to hunting and is learning all they can about fishing, hunting and the outdoors through the local fish and game club.
Justin: “I want to hunt rather than have processed meat. It is better for your health and I would like to learn how they did it a long time ago. When I shoot a deer I want to use the whole animal. I like movies on survival and want to learn all I can about it. I also want to learn about fishing and tying flies.”
Jacob Thornton – age 10 – “I like to hunt and if I did get a deer I would like to stuff it. I like the meat and I am learning to shoot. I will hunt to do something in my spare time and to produce food.”
It is interesting to note that these children saw hunting as family-oriented, food gathering event.
Ralph Shaw is a master fly fisherman who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984 for his conservation efforts. In 20 years of writing a column in the Comox Valley Record it has won several awards.
