By Brian Langston

I have hunted whitetail deer in Alabama for close to 30 years and have harvested well over 100 bucks during that time, but I don't think I ever realized how special hunting really was until I started hunting with my son, Clay, who is l 5 years old. I can see so many things in a different point of view by looking at them through his young eyes. Whether we see any deer is not important when we go hunting, but what is important is the quality time that we get to spend together. Every time we go hunting it is a new experience for him and for me. So many things that I see in the woods, I take for granted after years of hunting, but not Clay. Clay sees things through youthful eyes and has made me more aware of so many things that I really never paid much attention to before.

Hunting has taught Clay many important things that I think will help him in life. He has learned that you must be dedicated, patient and keep a good positive attitude in order to succeed when hunting trophy whitetails. These same attributes can help a young person succeed in life. He has also learned how to handle disappointment when hunting. The day before he killed his trophy, he missed a huge 10-point buck. He stewed over the miss for a while but finally put it behind him and continued his hunting. Learning how to handle disappointment in life can be a tremendous asset to a young man, because life can be full of so many disappointments.

Clay started hunting with me when he was about six years old. We started squirrel and rabbit hunting when he was young and he gradually became more and more interested in deer hunting. Now, deer hunting has become his true passion. He has become quite a skilled hunter and is very dedicated to harvesting only trophy animals. For example, this year alone, Clay has passed up shots at approximately 20 younger bucks to wait on a mature trophy buck.

He finally got his chance after sitting in a stand patiently for almost four hours one afternoon. This huge 8-pointer weighed more than 200 pounds and had an inside spread of 20 inches. Needless to say, patience and trophy hunting paid off for Clay. He is the type of young man that once he sets his mind to something he doesn't give up. As for me, next year will be another great season and I look forward to hunting with my best friend, my son. If you need a closer relationship with your son or daughter, I encourage you to make time to take them hunting or fishing with you. I promise you that you will have great memories that will last you and your child for a lifetime.