If I remember correctly, it was around 1996 when the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, began offering youth hunting seasons for those under 16 years of age. I do know the first one was for spring turkey, the weekend before the regular season opened. I remember this weekend specifically, for this was when JH harvested his first longbeard. Because of overwhelming adoption and success of these youth hunts, subsequent hunts followed that included deer and waterfowl. Since the inception of these hunts, countless young boys and girls have been introduced to the sport of hunting and consequently, many of our youths have been “hooked” for life due to the vision of wise, wildlife enthusiasts.
Each year, I receive reports and photographs of youngsters holding their first gobbler, first whitetail, or first wood duck. I would imagine taxidermists are bombarded with “firsts” from these future outdoors people. Stories from excited kids abound around campfires and kitchen tables after hunts. Even though game may not be harvested on every excursion, the hunts are always successful because of the experience and the memories made. This past weekend a story, accompanied by several pictures, of another first came to me. This was a good one, so I thought I would share with everyone.
I met a true, life-long friend, Bruce Pittman, in 1983 at Westervelt Lodge in Pickens County, Alabama while on a bowhunting trip. Since that fall day, Bruce and I have traversed the North American Continent together chasing everything from gobblers in south Texas, to pronghorn antelope in Montana, to giant whitetails in northern Saskatchewan. Thousands and thousands of miles of country, we have traveled together, solving cotton insect issues and reliving past hunts and planning new ones.
We have watched our children grow up together and shared the outdoor lifestyle with each of them. Bruce has watched JH grow into an avid outdoorsman as I have watched his three daughters, Ann Hamilton, Callie, and Eleanor, enjoy the woods and waters as well. Though our children are grown and no longer young enough to participate in the actual youth seasons, we now have another generation who can fill their shoes. I’ll explain.
Hayes Lloyd, daughter of Ryan and Ann Hamilton Lloyd, is Bruce’s granddaughter. For weeks, PePop, as Hayes calls him, has been working with her and teaching her the ways of the woods and swamps. Each weekend Hayes has been travelling with her mom and dad to Carroll County where she has become quite proficient with her little .243, under the guidance of Bruce. Apples don’t fall far from the tree, for all of Bruce and Donna’s girls grew up tagging along with Bruce chasing bucks and gobblers. All the girls are crack shots and Hayes is following right along in their footsteps. So, when it was time for opening day for the kids, Hayes was up to bat.
Bruce has been sending pictures of the groups she has been shooting with her little rifle. I nicknamed her, “Lil Oakley Annie,” for she is quite the marksman. I may need to research the term some more, for “markslady” may be more accurate. No pun intended with the “accurate” description.
The plan was for the two to hunt on a couple of lush food plots nearby. Bruce keeps a close eye out for local wildlife and had several picked out for Hayes following some of his recent bowhunting adventures. The stage was set for an opening day, afternoon hunt.
Dusk was gradually taking over the landscape when a doe and a yearling entered the food plot and began nibbling on the tender shoots of rye, brassica, and oats. At 125 yards, the pair of hunters patiently waited for the two deer to close the distance to around 75 yards, this being the range of confidence for Hayes’ shooting. Darkness fell before they reached the target zone, so back home the two hunters did travel to discuss a future hunt over dinner. There was no loss of excitement for both knew it was only a matter of time.
Bruce stirred Hayes from her slumber the next morning long before the sun offered a hint of light to the hills of Carroll County. She immediately bounced from the covers when asked if she wanted to try it again. To me, this is quite defining of her resolve, for it’s hard enough for veteran hunters to leave the warm blankets much less a 10-year-old girl looking to harvest her first whitetail. On second thought, maybe her nature dictates that “quit” is not in her vocabulary, so off to the blind they went in the pre-dawn darkness to see what may unfold.
It didn’t take long before several deer made their way into a secluded patch for an early breakfast. Her magical range was about 75 yards, and this is the exact distance the deer stood and fed. Bruce has always been the mentor to allow his children and others, to “do it on their own.” The only assistance Hayes had from “PePop” was him taking the safety off after he checked to make sure the rifle was securely in place in the crease of her shoulder. If I recall, Bruce asked her if she could see the deer through the scope, but she couldn’t hear him with the earplugs in place. He finally got her attention and she acknowledged all was good. There was no further assistance from Bruce and Hayes had it under control and began her slow, steady squeeze of the trigger.
The shot was perfect, and Hayes had her first deer of her hunting career. When asked, if she saw the deer fall, Hayes replied, “I saw her fall through the scope.” Of course, Bruce wanted to know because this indicated she didn’t lift her head and pull the shot. Follow through is imperative for accuracy. Smiles and hugs were exchanged and now was the time for celebration and pictures. These are fun times, especially when shared with family members. According to Bruce, Hayes’ next question was, “when are we going again?” I think that sums it up fairly well.
Bruce has albums of photographs on the shelves of his den with his daughters in hunting mode. Though all the girls have their moments and time in the woods, if I had to pick, I would say Eleanor is probably more addicted now than Ann Hamilton and Callie. It seems to me though, Eleanor better be on her toes, for another star has been born. It will be interesting to see who sits with whom when both Hayes and Eleanor want to go sit in the stand. If I had to bet, I would say Bruce will be building stands large enough for the whole family soon. Well done, Hayes, I can’t wait for you to share some smoked sausage with me. Tell PePop to find one for me now.
I hope everyone has an opportunity to share the woods and waters with our youth. Teach them well, for they are the future of what we all hold so dear. Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
