This past Monday marked the first day of Ohio Turkey Season. My husband and I have been talking for months about if Reed would be ready to go on his first hunt this year (as an observer, of course). Hunting has been a life-long passion of my husband's. It has been a gift to him in many ways: providing a connection with nature and God, respect for all life and the environment, and lifelong relationships. He is a gifted hunter who has had the opportunity to hunt across three continents. This was a big decision for us. We want Reed to grow up with the same ideals that my husband holds about hunting and conservation, so his first experience was very important.
After careful observation and reflection, we decided he was ready for his first hunt for a few reasons: Reed can sit still when asked for long periods of time (thanks, church), he is familiar with and loves being in the woods, he listens well (very important for safety), and he is easily entertained with a snack and a view of nature.
We laid out his clothes the night before. It was a mismatched array of Gymboree clothes and actual hunting camo for Reed. Kids' camo is crazy expensive. I'm certainly not paying $50 for a camo outfit that he may/may not wear and will definitely grow out of in 4 months. I got out his cute little camo hat with the orange frills on top that make him look like a dinosaur. Jacob told me to put that back, do I want him to look like a turkey?
Um, no. Thanks for that. I'll be sure to sleep less than 3 hours tonight now.
The next morning, Reed was awake before 6. He usually sleeps until about 7-7:30. He definitely knew that he was going "out in the woods with Daddy," and he was SO excited. He actually walked out of his room wiggling and pumping his fists with anticipation! We dressed him up, Jacob painted his face, and they headed out. And just like that, I realized I didn't have a baby anymore.
Um, no. Thanks for that. I'll be sure to sleep less than 3 hours tonight now.
The next morning, Reed was awake before 6. He usually sleeps until about 7-7:30. He definitely knew that he was going "out in the woods with Daddy," and he was SO excited. He actually walked out of his room wiggling and pumping his fists with anticipation! We dressed him up, Jacob painted his face, and they headed out. And just like that, I realized I didn't have a baby anymore.
In my car, on the way to work, I got a small (maybe not so small) case of the sniffles. No one ever told me motherhood would be so bittersweet- and he's only 2! How did this all happen so fast? Hang on, I need a tissue!
Ok, I have myself back together.
At work, I got a text from Jacob at 6:43 that they weren't hearing anything. At 6:48, I received this picture:
At work, I got a text from Jacob at 6:43 that they weren't hearing anything. At 6:48, I received this picture:
THEY GOT A TURKEY! Can you believe it? Jacob said they prayed for safety and blessing before they left the car (something that Jacob has always done). They walked in the woods and hid behind a bush, and he gave Reed a sucker. They did a couple owl and turkey calls which Reed found entertaining, I'm sure. Then they heard the turkeys gobbling and coming toward them. Reed got to see the turkey and then he sat really still while Jacob took aim with his bow. Then Jacob killed it with a clean shot. They ended the hunt by praying again, thanking God for the bird's life and the safe hunt. Jacob will eventually show Reed how to clean and store the turkey meat, and we will all make a turkey chili together. Update: find recipe here!
Let me take just a moment and brag on my hubby and his ethical hunting practices. I really appreciate how considerate Jacob is about the environment and life of the animals he hunts. He is a fair hunter, no drives or timed feeders. We eat everything he kills, and we are thankful for the life of the animal. I know hunters have a bad rep sometimes, but when you do it right, it is a practice that teaches some of the most important life lessons a kid can learn.
Let me take just a moment and brag on my hubby and his ethical hunting practices. I really appreciate how considerate Jacob is about the environment and life of the animals he hunts. He is a fair hunter, no drives or timed feeders. We eat everything he kills, and we are thankful for the life of the animal. I know hunters have a bad rep sometimes, but when you do it right, it is a practice that teaches some of the most important life lessons a kid can learn.
So I sat down with Reed for a little interview. It was actually a series of interviews (because he is two), spread out over the afternoon.
Me: Reed! What did you do today? Did you get a turkey?
Reed: (nonchalantly) Yeah. And SUCKERS!
Me: And suckers? That's great!
Reed: Yeah.
Me: Were you in the woods with Daddy? What did you do?
Reed: Daddy did a turkey cawwwwllll.
Me: You saw a turkey?
Reed: No (shakes head emphatically). Daddy did the call.
Me: Oh! The call! What sound does a turkey make?
Reed: GOBBLE GOBBLE!!
Me: Wow! That's cool. Then what happened?
Reed: Two turkeys.... (mutters intelligible words).... Daddy got it.... (still can't tell what he's saying, he's excited)... and the turkey was on FIRE... (what? We still don't know what he means by that. Maybe the color?)... AND WE GOT A TURKEY!
Me: That's is so awesome, buddy! I'm so proud of you.
Reed: (coolly) Yeah.
Me: Do you want to go again?
Reed: YEAH YEAH YEAH!
Me: Reed! What did you do today? Did you get a turkey?
Reed: (nonchalantly) Yeah. And SUCKERS!
Me: And suckers? That's great!
Reed: Yeah.
Me: Were you in the woods with Daddy? What did you do?
Reed: Daddy did a turkey cawwwwllll.
Me: You saw a turkey?
Reed: No (shakes head emphatically). Daddy did the call.
Me: Oh! The call! What sound does a turkey make?
Reed: GOBBLE GOBBLE!!
Me: Wow! That's cool. Then what happened?
Reed: Two turkeys.... (mutters intelligible words).... Daddy got it.... (still can't tell what he's saying, he's excited)... and the turkey was on FIRE... (what? We still don't know what he means by that. Maybe the color?)... AND WE GOT A TURKEY!
Me: That's is so awesome, buddy! I'm so proud of you.
Reed: (coolly) Yeah.
Me: Do you want to go again?
Reed: YEAH YEAH YEAH!
So here's the big man with his first turkey! I think it is bigger than he is! In a turkey picture, the hunter is supposed to hold up the tail of the turkey. He is doing his best! Such a big boy!
It was a day for the record books! I am so thankful for Jacob and Reed, and the little hunting relationship they started this week. I hope it lasts a lifetime! I guess my baby is a big boy now. Uh oh.... here come those darn sniffles again.
Tearfully,
Rebekah
Tearfully,
Rebekah