Page 5 - 2019 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma

2018 CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

“HUNTING IS A GREAT WAY TO

BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER”

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 Senior Apprentice
Hunter category receive a guided antelope hunt in the Texas Panhandle,
and winners in the 11-14 age category receive a hunting trip at the Chain
Ranch for either a hog or a ram, and a scholarship to the Outdoor Texas
Camp. The Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI will reimburse travel
expenses up to $500 per essay contest winner. In this issue, Outdoor
Oklahoma honors Junior Program male winner Christopher Davis, 14,
an 8th-grader from Owasso 8th Grade Center.

HUNTING: important hunting is to the people of the U.S.

Hunting is a regular part of my family’s history and can
SHARING also be considered our heritage. Going back as far as we
THE can remember, my family hunted dove, quail and deer in
West Texas. My grandfather enjoyed hunting with his dad,
HERITAGE and now I also enjoy hunting with my father and grandfa-
ther. I hope to pass down this heritage to my children and
By Christopher Davis grandchildren someday. Hunting is important because it
Hunting has a long her- brings me closer to my family. We spend time talking and
itage in the United States telling funny hunting stories. My dad and grandad teach
and has been passed down me important lessons from their childhood. They taught
from generation to gener- me to remain calm and focused when hunting to avoid
ation. It is not only a personal hobby but is also a major missing the shot. I am glad hunting is part of my family’s
industry. Hunting is important to me because of my family’s heritage because it brings us closer together.
history, the time it allows me to spend with family, and the I like hunting because I am able to spend time in the
benefits I get from spending time in the country. Along with country and take in nature. I like it because of how peace-
being part of my heritage, hunting has many other benefits. ful and quiet it is. Sometimes it’s so quiet, you can hear
Hunting has a long history in the United States. Native a deer’s hooves clicking on the rocks as they are walking
Americans hunted to provide food, clothing and tools for near the blind. Also, being in the country makes me feel
the tribe. Pilgrims and early settlers hunted as political defi- calm because I can get away from all the hustle and bustle
ance from the British Empire. Great men in our U.S. history of a school day. The stress of school and sports goes away
proudly hunted such as Davy Crockett and even presidents when I am in the country. Hunting is great because it also
like Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. Throughout U.S. history, lets me enjoy the country.
hunting was a vital part of the culture. Hunting is a great way to bring families together and
Over the years, the hobby of hunting has developed start a new tradition. Hunting has been around since the
into a major industry. According to NHFDay.org, there beginning of the United States and is an important part
are 38 million hunters that spend an average of $2,484 of our history. It is a great way to get out of the house and
dollars per year on the sport. Hunting gear is one of the enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. I am glad that my
top-selling sporting goods. These statistics show how family has given me an opportunity to go hunting!

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