A week ago, it was mentioned in this space that we as outdoorsmen must become more aggressive in recruiting people to the outdoor life.
A number of youth hunts available in Ohio were cited. Various fishing groups may sponsor fishing derbies. Or a local turkey chapter may have a jakes' day. Or an archery or shooting club will offer equipment and opportunities for youths and people to learn those sports, too. Sportsmen's clubs and chapters of various national organizations like National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Pheasants Forever, Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, etc., are vital to promoting the outdoors.
But it's the close one-on-one relationship a young hunter or fisherman can have with an adult that truly helps us continue these great American traditions.
Mentors do not necessarily have to be a dad, grandpa, brother, uncle or in some case mom, grandma, aunt or sister. There are many members of various outdoor groups interested in fostering traditions with youths.
One such person is Cody Bell, of Van Wert, who is the chairman of the JAKES events for the Van Wert County Limbhangers, a chapter of the NWTF. JAKES is an anacronym for junior acquiring knowledge, ethics and sportsmanship and is a program for youths 17 and younger in the NWTF.
Bell, who has been hunting since he was 9 years old, has taken youngsters on a youth hunt the past two years during the state's two-day youth hunt in April.
The chapter's second annual hunt was open to students in the Van Wert, Crestview, Lincolnview, Delphos Jefferson, Delphos St. John's and Spencerville school systems after being open only to students in grades second through eighth in the Delphos schools a year ago.
Entrants had to write an essay on their memorable outdoor experience. Three winners were chosen from the entries.
"Each winner received a turkey hunter's starter package. We purchased one package and two of our sponsors purchased the other two. We paid for each child's hunting license and turkey permit. We provided a firearm for each young hunter to use if they did not have one," Bell said.
People say the 23-year-old Bell has an eye and ear for hunting. He noted that the teen-aged hunters -- Luke Wrasman and Taner Vermule, both of Delphos, and Jacob Yahl of Spencerville -- "either saw or heard turkeys." Fathers of the three participants accompanied their sons on the hunt.
Wrasman was the only one who harvested a turkey. The tom weighed 21 pounds, had a 9 7/8-inch beard and had one-inch spurs. That hunt was videotaped by K.C. Allen, who accompanied Bell and Wrasman. The hunt is available to view on Allen's website: www.outdoorohio.com.
"Luke was very excited and all smiles after his first wild turkey harvest," Bell said. Needless to say, his parents were quite thrilled, too.
What Bell did not mention was the amount of time he and chapter members spent with the three youngsters mentoring to them in the early mornings and showing them the patience, appreciation of nature and the wild turkey as well as respect for fellow hunters that comes along with hunting.
"I enjoy taking youth to the outdoors and teaching them how to hunt, conservation of the land and wildlife, respect for the landowner and the fellow hunter," said Bell, who says he goes hunting every chance he has. "My long-term goal in life is to develop an organization that focuses on taking kids and disabled folks hunting and fishing so that they can learn about and enjoy the outdoors, just as we can. I would like to also develop that organization into a TV show to show people what a difference we can do in the lives of others."
This young man and more like him are what we need to perpetuate our outdoor sports.
(Al Smith is outdoor editor of The Crescent-News. Contact him at outdoor@crescent-news.com)