Page 10 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

2020 CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

“WE NEED TO KEEP THE HERITAGE ALIVE”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each year, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
and Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International join to sponsor a creative
writing competition for Oklahoma middle and high school students. A boy and a girl
from two age divisions are selected winners. Students were required to write essays
using the theme “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage” or “Archery: What I Like About
Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting.” Winners in the age 15-17 category receive a
guided pronghorn hunt in the Texas Panhandle, and winners in the 11-14 age category
receive a hunting trip with Rack Attack Outfitters (or similar) and a scholarship to the
Outdoor Texas Camp. In this issue, Outdoor Oklahoma honors senior category male
winner Tanner Young, 15, from Boone-Apache High School.

ories, as well as tools and knowledge.
SHARING THE
HERITAGE OF That is not the only thing hunting is about. It is about
HUNTING population control, land management, as well as moral
obligations. We have to take care of and manage the land
By Tanner Young and hunt to control the wildlife population, so that it can

Hunting has been around for be passed down for generation after generation to enjoy.
many generations and holds a In current times the younger generations have become
place in many family traditions. so involved in electronics. Many have forgotten what skills

My Papa took me on my first turkey hunt when I was elev- are needed to provide for your basic necessities. Hunting is
en and that is a memory I will never forget. This hunting also one of the few activities where everyone, regardless of

trip had a pretty awesome twist. ability or background, has the same opportunity to enjoy
We got the turkey back to the house on the property their hunt along with the harvest.
and set it on the porch. As I was admiring the beard of From a personal perspective, the opportunities I’ve had

the turkey on that lovely spring morning, I noticed it was to take my younger sister hunting have brought us closer
separating. So I split the hairs apart and they split into as a family and helped us overcome situations and work

three pieces, two smaller pieces and one large one. At first, together. It is a very good way to meet new people and build
I thought it was a fault in the turkey, bit I was still as excited relationships, furthermore gaining new perspectives. I feel
as I could be. When he came back, I asked Papa about it like hunting has built my character up and allowed me to

and showed him the three beards. I have never seen some- flourish in life. Hunting will surely change as generations
one get so excited, so quickly in my life. He later explained pass, such as laws and regulations, but the memories you
that three beards is very rare and highly praised. That is make will never change so make them good ones and share

what hunting is all about, making and passing down mem- them with others.

8 Off the Beaten Path

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