Grant Fry of Lake Orion sent us a story as part of our culture project on the importance of hunting in his family.
Today is the first day mentored hunting licenses are available in Michigan for children 10 years-old and younger.
Fry shared his reflections on hunting in Michigan as a boy and a man (share your story here):
As a boy growing up in Northern Michigan, hunting season, especially firearms deer season was a tradition.
Going hunting that first time and taking your first deer were as important as getting your drivers’ license. The public schools closed as teachers and students went into the woods.
"Mister" is dropped in deer camp and you can address all the adults by their first name. The expectation is you are a man and you are expected to do a man's work and take on a man's responsibility.
That has been and continues to be passed down through the generations.
I've been out hunting on opening day of firearms season for 42 years.
The anticipation builds up at dinner the night before-listening and telling stories of past hunts and past hunters. Then, there’s getting up at 4:30 in the morning to a big breakfast and lots of coffee.
Seeing the joy on your son's face as he takes his first deer and appreciates the transition he's made and seeing him accept the responsibilities of becoming a man.
Work has forced me out of Northern Michigan.
I've lost contact with some friends. My two boys are even more distributed due to out of state work and can't always make it back to hunt.
It is a loss.
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