This past weekend was a real treat. I went bird hunting with my dad, and for the first time ever my little brother. The three Terenzio boys. It was awesome. First, just a little bit about my hunting background. Up until college I had never been before, never even fired a real gun. Then my dad sparked up an interest and he and I set out to learn the ropes together. First we shot thousands of orange clays at the range, then we moved up to the real thing. He became a member of the High Desert Hunt Club, about an hour and change outside of LA, and we found a new hunting home there. The people who run it are awesome and extremely kind. Fast forward and eventually we got Gracie, one of the coolest dogs ever. She's a Pudelpointer, which are bred expressly for the purpose of finding birds. And she's also totally sweet when not in the field.
Let me just briefly explain the bird hunting process. We go to a field in the remote backcountry of California early in the morning. The field contains Pheasant (big), Chukar (medium), and Quail (small and fast). We each take a shotgun and release Gracie to do her work. I've never seen more a of professional than that dog. For four to six hours straight she is methodically searching every shrub in a square mile for our targets (the birds hide in desert shrubs, perfectly camouflaged). Once she finds one, she points with her leg up, hence a Pudelpointer. At this point we out of breath hunters catch up to her at the spot she has marked. Then comes the flush, sometimes Gracie does it, sometimes us by kicking the shrub. The bird flies out -and boom- one of us takes it out if we're lucky. Then Gracie enthusiastically retrieves the bird and brings it to us. It's basically like duck hunt on old school Nintendo.
Since the beginning my dad and I have been going together a few times a year, but my dad goes far more on his own. One thing was missing though, my little bro. When we first started hunting he was only three, so it was a long wait and we were very patient. Finally this year, his mom ok'ed him and off we went into the field. I was interested in how he would find it, being a little guy from the West LA world of intense schooling and more "normal" extracurriculars. Well, I've never seen a little kid so at home doing something like this. I was honestly way more squeamish my first time than he was. His job was to carry the birds in his pouch, of course no gun yet, and he did so with a perpetual smile. I'm so glad he is a hunter now with us.
Before I started hunting I was a totally liberal kid from Miami. I still am. But I've realized that while many city folk distaste this tradition, it is one of the richest activities I've ever taken part in. Firstly it's a great bonding experience for a father and son(s). Being out alone in nature with your father, a dog, and some guns is pretty fulfilling. Second, there is no feeling like finding, killing, and eating your own food. We of course eat our birds, and besides being delicious and more organic than Whole Foods could ever be, there is an extreme satisfaction that accompanies each bite. It's like a step back to a simpler time. Third, I've learned that hunters might be America's best conservationists. It's one thing to be swept up in the urban movement of energy efficient light bulbs (which are great), but a completely other thing to be utilizing and enjoying nature in such and interactive and sustainable way- where you actually learn to appreciate it. Yes, modern hunters are for sustainability, because if they weren't there would be no more hunting.
Conclusion: Anyone who has never tried hunting should definitely do so if they have an interest. Anyone who judges it without trying it should take a step back. And anyone who thinks that a freshly killed bird is gross should question what they are buying at the store. Honestly, after seeing what a real bird looks like on your plate, you might start to wonder what's up with the bleached supermarket variety. Most importantly, anyone who wants a real family or friend bonding experience should get out there...
