The end of this week marks the beginning of firearm deer season and many hunters in Northern Michigan are making sure they are ready for it.
Hunters prepping for the big day at the Lake County Sportsman’s Club.
Hunting enthusiast, Tim Lockhart said he looks forward to this time of year.
“We have fun. We sit around the campfire, talk, cook food, shoot the craft, bring some beers, you know, go to the bar, hang out, shoot pool,” said Lockhart.
He said it’s more than just the thrill of the hunt, for him it’s all about family and togetherness.
“Hunting is very special in my family. My uncles and my cousins, they’re coming up this weekend. I spent a lot of time with my brothers and family. It is a family thing,” said Lockhart.
He said it’s a time where they can reconnect after being apart.
“Because a lot of time, we’re working, we’re gone. We’re busy. And it just brings us together. Kind of like holidays. So it’s another holiday, so to speak, to get everybody together,” said Lockhart.
Lake County Sportsman’s Club president John Beach said hunting is a generational sport for a lot of families.
“You know, you start out and you’re hunting with your father or your grandfather. And through the years, you grow up and hunt with friends and you’re hunting with your children. And hopefully you can pass that on to your grandchildren, too,” said Beach.
Beach said, hunting is on the decline, especially when it comes to younger generations.
“Unfortunately, either they aren’t interested, or they just don’t have the opportunities,” said Beach.
He said the club has reached out several times to organizations that focus on youth like 4-H, to invite them to join.
“We try to get the young people involved and it seems to be getting harder and harder. We just can’t get the participation that we would like,” said Beach.
He said with all the media attention around school shootings, districts no longer offer hunter safety classes like they used to.
“I can see their point, but I think if they had some education, it would also make people feel a lot more comfortable,” said Beach.
He said there are even two bills in the state senate trying to get that passed in Michigan.
Beach said even if hunting is trending downward, he doesn’t see the sport going anywhere.
“I think the traditions are going to stay, that the number of hunters may go up or down, but the tradition is going to last as long as there’s enough state land for people to hunt on,” said Beach.