Hunting season is in full swing in Minnesota and around the country. From bow hunting for deer to multiple different types of bird hunting, hunters are out in full force. I was lucky enough to go duck hunting for the first time this past weekend. The Chopp family took me under their wing to teach me the ins and outs and get an up close and personal look. Learning about what you are hunting for before you go is an important step about your hunt! You don't want to be getting chilly or not be properly prepared when you are out in the wilderness as it could have a negative impact on your experience.

Mr. Chopp, and his two sons, Matt and Jimmy, taught me what I needed to know about proper gear, how to set up a good blind, tricks on setting up your decoy spread and some different calling methods. We hunted just outside of Tower, Minnesota on Lost Lake. Big water hunting is incredibly different than other duck hunting areas from what I am told. Which just means I will have to go again :) About three minutes before legal shooting hours, a flock of about 15 ducks attempted to dump into the decoys, got spooked and took off again. Three ducks did end up landing in the decoys however it wasn't legal shooting just yet so we got to watch them swim away. After spending more time in the blind without any luck, we decided to head back to the landing and go to the cabin.

While getting the boat on the trailer and securing everything, Mr. Chopp threw an orange jacket to me and said it was my turn to shoot a grouse. I was so nervous because I had never shot a grouse before. I dawned the orange jacket and hopped in the front seat with my gun, unloaded and chamber open. After driving down the road, Jimmy spotted a grouse running about 30 yards ahead of the truck. Mr. Chopp stopped the truck and let me out. I loaded my Stoger P2000 12 gauge shotgun and walked away from the truck to legal shooting distance. As I took aim on the bird, I ran over the tips I have learned from my outdoor mentors. One in particular tip, from my dad, stuck out the most. "Always exhale when you pull the trigger. It will help you relax more and time your breathing properly." I exhaled, with the site of my gun on the grouses head, and pulled the trigger. BOOM, one shot and the grouse was down. Mr. Chopp, Matt and Jimmy all made sure I had an extra shell if the bird was to get up, which it didn't. One shot and the bird was in my hands.

After Matt retrieved my bird, handed it to me for a quick picture, I looked around at the wilderness I stood in. The leaves on the trees are all turning into oranges and yellows and the sounds of the woods all hit me hard at that moment. How amazing it felt to bag my first grouse at 22 years old turned into thoughts of "how amazing would it feel to a 9, 10 or 11 year old to get their first bird."

This past weekend reignited the passion I have for getting our youth back outside and passing on our hunting and outdoor traditions. The DNR Youth Mentor program is giving me the amazing opportunity to represent Youth Outdoors USA Minnesota at the Minnesota Governor's Deer Opener. Opening morning I will be taking a youth hunter into the woods to bag their first deer. I cannot wait!

How's hunting season in other states going?