Hunting: A Call from the Wild
Photo credit: Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
By Julie Thomas, PhD
The seasonal changes of autumn bring back treasured memories of pheasant hunting with my dad. On these mornings, it was just the two of us and, though few words were exchanged, we had some of our best-ever conversations while tramping through Nebraska corn fields. The clear and important message of the day was Dad’s desire to share what he loved about this outdoor experience—the earthy smells, dramatic sunrises, crunchy walks through harvested corn fields, and the adrenaline rush of flushing a pheasant.
Today, Nebraska is a premier hunting destination with abundant wildlife populations and generous season lengths. Here, hunting benefits both the hunters and the hunted due to regulated seasons designed to ensure sustainable wildlife populations. Hunting helps keep wild animals wild as hunting license fees fund public land acquisition; habitat improvement and maintenance; research; public information; and wildlife enforcement work. Hunting also helps those in need when hunters donate venison to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Hunters Helping the Hungry Program.
Though I did not continue to hunt as an adult, I know these daddy/daughter experiences inspired my love of nature and my interest in understanding how family involvement empowers children’s connection with the natural world. Some claim hunting leads to understanding and appreciation of wildlife and ecosystems like no other outdoor activity. Randall Eaton (author of Why We Hunt) suggests hunting allows a marriage between our basic and spiritual instincts that forms our bond with wildlife conservation ethics. He further suggests, “Hunting is about creating indelible images and experiences in rural settings.” Certainly, in my case, the joy of hunting was about spending time with my dad, connecting with a place he loved, and noticing what he valued.
Perhaps, then, hunting is simply a call from the wild—an opportunity for family and friends to help children gather special images and experiences in a natural place. As role models, we can help them consider whether strolling rural fields is preferable to scrolling the internet.
Julie Thomas, PhD, is a retired Science Educator and a Research Professor Emerita from the University of Nebraska and a contributing writer for 55+.
Resources
Hunter Education is required and ensures all hunters (ages 12-29) know about firearms and how to hunt safely.
Nebraska Quail and Pheasant Chapters pair new hunters (ages 12-15) with certified Hunter Education instructors who introduce outdoor skills and take them hunting.
Hunting Guides & Maps
Useful information about seasonal dates, bag limits, identification tips, and Nebraska’s publicly accessible lands.
Deer Exchange Program
Hunters donate whole field-dressed deer to participating meat processors and final products are donated to food pantries or charitable organizations statewide.