In the abundant boreal forests of the Lac La Biche region in Northern Alberta, the crisp air signals the arrival of hunting season, which is more than just the thrill of the chase or the ultimate harvest. Here, among the tall spruce and the last of the rustling leaves, a deeper connection unfolds—one of nurturing growth, resilience, and empowerment, especially among young female hunters. It’s a journey where the symphony of nature harmonizes with the quiet determination of two aspiring hunters as stories of resilience, growth, and triumph come to life.
The Initial Success: Beyond the Deer Stand
Meet Izzy, a spirited 16-year-old brimming with excitement about putting her skills to the test in the wilderness. I first met Izzy when she approached me to write an essay for her 4-H club, spotlighting women thriving in unconventional fields. At the end of our in-depth interview, I proposed the idea of taking her hunting. Izzy was ecstatic.
While Izzy loved spending time at her Dido (grandpa) and uncle’s farm, enjoying nature, and eagerly listening to the men’s hunting stories, Izzy wanted to do more than listen. She desired to experience the thrill of hunting and venturing into the wilderness on her own. Despite her uncle’s hunting success and having all the gear, like ground blinds and tree stands, Izzy wanted the guidance of a female mentor. Although her parents didn’t hunt, they fully supported Izzy’s dreams because they knew she was determined to achieve them.
As I drove down the winding, snow-covered gravel road leading to Izzy’s family farmhouse, I was drawn to the dense clusters of aspen, spruce, and birch trees that gradually transitioned into vast open farm fields. This landscape was capable of producing multiple whitetail deer and moose, promising exciting hunting opportunities ahead.
As I pulled into the yard, Izzy was waiting for me in her SHE winter camo and her 7mm-08 Tikka rifle slung over her shoulder. Her infectious smile mirrored my own excitement to spend time with her in the woods.
Izzy and her uncle had dedicated hours shooting targets and building her confidence with the gun. After an in-depth discussion on gun safety protocols and the dynamics of hunting alongside a partner, during which Izzy posed numerous insightful questions, I was absolutely convinced of her readiness to embark on her first hunt.
We ventured out to her family’s farmland which was bordered by dense woodlands. Upon arriving, I instantly noticed plenty of fresh deer and moose tracks etched in the snow. With our backpacks strapped on and guns gripped firmly, we followed a well-used game trail that wound its way deep into the forest.
Along our journey, I eagerly pointed out the many signs of wildlife activity: the rubs on the tree trunks, where antlers stripped away large sections of bark; the scrapes where the deer pawed the ground, marking their territory with rub-urination. I also explained the various animal scat droppings scattered throughout the area, confirming we were in the right location.
As we entered a clearing, its beauty unfolded before us. The perimeter boasted a medley of dense pine and birch trees. We found the highest hill that gave us the best vantage point of the large opening and settled under a gently swaying pine tree.
Izzy eagerly reached for her binoculars while I retrieved a pair of rattling antlers from my backpack. I began clashing and twisting them together for 30 to 45 seconds, creating various volumes and sounds that echoed throughout the forest. I repeated this several times over the next hour. Izzy glassed the opening intensely as we whispered questions and answers back and forth.
Suddenly, a loud crack shattered the silence to our right. I leaned over and nudged Izzy to get ready. As she was about to move into her shooting position, a massive five-by-five buck emerged from the pines. Izzy’s face lit up, and with her eyes as big as saucers, she froze and was unable to move. Instead, we stared as this massive whitetail buck walked quickly into the open, then turned and walked back to the safety of the forest.
Izzy and I were ecstatic, grateful to witness this majestic buck roaming through his natural habitat. To experience this moment through her eyes was truly a priceless gift. We stayed on top of the hill overlooking the opening for the next hour, hoping to have another encounter with a whitetail, but it didn’t happen. Instead, we heard birds singing their songs in the endless blue sky above us as we bathed in the warmth of the early afternoon sun. Knowing that most of the deer would be bedded down for the next few hours, we made our way back to her family’s farm to enjoy lunch, regroup, and strategize for our evening hunt.
We agreed to try a different field north of their farm. We took out my iPhone and looked at the iHunter map. Her uncle showed us he had a ground blind on that property. To the east was a water source, while directly ahead stretched a 350-yard field before the treeline began. I felt this area had good potential for a successful harvest.
We rattled antlers and glassed the area all afternoon. As the sun started its descent, the first few deer emerged from the forest. Izzy focused her binoculars on the deer and identified them as does. I quickly reminded her that where there are does, a buck is likely to follow at this time of year. Passing the binoculars to me, Izzy swiftly positioned her rifle on the tripod, eagerly anticipating the animals’ next move.
Then, from the east, with confidence, a whitetail buck made his appearance, clearly intending to join the does. Izzy adjusted her gun to the right and set her scope on the buck. Meanwhile, I pulled out my range finder and ranged this buck at 217 yards. Izzy’s heart was beating hard, and I could see her hands shaking.
The buck was standing boldly in the field, giving us a perfect broadside view. In a soft whisper, I encouraged Izzy to steady her breathing, ease her tension, and carefully assess the situation. She did just that. Then, she turned and said, “I am not comfortable with this distance.” I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride in her decision-making. Although the buck didn’t come any closer, we used the rest of the hunt as an opportunity for observation, reflection, and invaluable learning.
While Izzy may not have successfully harvested an animal this whitetail season, her journey was marked by significant growth, invaluable experiences, and building her confidence as a new hunter.
The Journey of Patience: Two Seasons to Success
Then there’s Dalaina, a determined, beautiful young woman whose journey through the hunting seasons took a different path as she embarked on a road to self-discovery. Unlike Izzy, Dalaina had to work through both her desire to take a shot and the weight of the act of killing a deer. It took Dalaina two seasons to develop her confidence and abilities, and she patiently waited for the moment when she would feel prepared to lock her sights on a whitetail buck and come to terms with the significance of squeezing the trigger.
During the first season, Dalaina spent countless hours at the gun range alongside her boyfriend, Tristan, who happens to be my son. He taught her about guns, optics, and proper shooting techniques from multiple distances. Like Izzy, Dalaina did not grow up in a family that hunted, and she had a lot to learn, but she was eager and excited to do the work.
In the first season, Dalaina and I hunted for several days. Despite spotting four different bucks through our binoculars, it was clear Dalaina needed more time to confidently put her sights on one of these deer. She was fighting an internal battle between the desire to fill her tag and being able to squeeze the trigger. I was proud of her for recognizing this tug-of-war and allowing herself more time to grow as a hunter. I reminded Dalaina that the journey of a first-time hunter is filled with emotions and barriers, and rushing the process could potentially deter her from hunting in the future.
This past hunting season, Dalaina arrived with a newfound determination and focus. Over the past year, she had dedicated herself to studying hunting forums, watching videos, and learning about trail cameras and the deer patterns in the area she would be hunting. Her efforts in the off-season developed her confidence and readiness to tag a whitetail.
For four days, we engaged in various hunting tactics, transitioning between ground blinds and strategic walks through the hunting area. We put in full days, which started half an hour before sunrise and continued until half an hour after sunset. We saw does emerge from the forest and return, with no buck following. A small two-by-two whitetail, whom we named George, walked in front of us several times a day. Then, in the final moments of our hunt, a wide four-by-five buck carefully ventured from the safety of the forest to 80 yards in front of our ground blind. Dalaina confidently had her sights on the buck as he stood broadside just downhill from us. As she loaded a shell into the chamber, the buck lifted its head and started to turn back towards the treeline. It was 28 minutes after sunset, and we were down to our last two minutes of legal hunting time. Dalaina softly whispered, “It’s too dark for me to take the shot.” I whispered back, “I have a good feeling tomorrow will be a big day for you.”
As I was preparing to leave that evening, I reassured Dalaina that she made the right decision. I emphasized that the efforts of the past four days of rattling, calling, and patiently waiting set the stage to give her the best opportunity for success.
The next morning, when I reached for my phone and saw Dalaina’s number across the screen, tears welled up in my eyes. I instantly knew what this call meant—the internal struggle was finally over, and she had harvested her first whitetail buck. As she recounted her entire morning in vivid detail, we shared moments of laughter, tears, and a heartfelt celebration of her achievement.
Tristan had accompanied Dalaina on her hunt. They proceeded cautiously to the ground blind, taking their time to avoid startling the does that were out feeding. Once settled in the blind, they warmed their breakfast chocolate bars on the buddy heater.
Suddenly, Tristan squeezed Dalaina’s arm with intention. Dalaina knew it was go time and Tristan quietly whispered, “You have maybe two minutes to make this shot.” As her mind raced with questions about her readiness, she reminded herself not to overthink it and to stay quiet.
Within seconds, her hunting instincts took over, and she found herself in position, her sights fixed on a magnificent five-by-five buck that was making its way towards the treeline. Dalaina softly told Tristan, “Make a buck grunt sound to give me more time to be ready.” She could feel the seconds slipping away, then heard Tristan’s grunt. The buck stopped and turned his head towards the ground blind. Dalaina positioned her finger on the trigger and ever so calmly squeezed. The loud ring in her ears from the rifle filled the air. The buck dropped.
Dalaina’s mind was once again filled with doubt. Did she really hit him? Was it a clean shot? What now? With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, she heard Tristan’s confident voice say, “He’s down. You shot your first deer.” Dalaina hugged Tristan and said, ” Give me your phone. I need to call your mom.”
Conclusion:
In the world of hunting, success is often measured by the trophies we bring home. But for young ladies like Izzy and Dalaina, the true measure of success lies in the journey itself. Each gave me a beautiful gift as I watched them discover the transformative power of perseverance, resilience, and personal growth.
The journey I embarked on with these amazing young ladies reminded me again that hunting season is not just about the harvest; it’s about nurturing the next generation of hunters, instilling in them the values of patience, dedication, and resilience, and that hard work pays off. Watching them navigate the challenges of their hunts and discover the depths of their potential, ultimately leading to their success, is a gift like no other.
So, as the next hunting season approaches, let us remember the importance of mentorship and its profound impact on young hunters’ lives. Together, let us nurture growth, celebrate resilience, and empower the next generation to chase their dreams in the outdoors.
