Hunting is a fickle sport. Just ask Maddie Johnson, junior. One evening two summers ago, Johnson was hunting with her grandfather on a weekend trek in the forest. What happened next still shocks Johnson to this day.

“We were walking down to the deer stand where we were supposed to shoot at,” Johnson said. “My Grandpa was in the front. He had the flashlight. I was following. We were passing a creek and I slipped. I just completely lost everything. My bow, all my arrows, everything. When the sun came up we went out to look for it and my bow had actually flown through the trees and hit two squirrels.”

Johnson said hunting is an all-day affair, and she tries to go out as much as she can.

“I hunt everything any season. It’s a lot of fun.” Johnson said. “The day usually starts before sunrise at around four in the morning. We’ll hunt until about 1 o’clock. Take a little break, and hunt again until sundown.”

Drew Baker, sophomore, said hunting gives him an adrenaline rush he is hard pressed to find anywhere outside of the forest.

“When I take a shot, my heart beats much faster. It’s a really exciting time being out there in the woods. It’s a nice place to sit around and enjoy being close to nature.” Baker said.
Baker was introduced to hunting by his father, who takes him out hunting every two weeks in the winter and fall.

“My dad grew up in southern Missouri,” Baker said. “My grandparents owned a farm and he went hunting when they could. It’s always been a big part of our lives.”

Jack Schuman, sophomore, said hunting provides athletes with countless new experiences and emotions every day.

“You just sit in the shade, watching the forest become more and more active. It’s extremely soothing and relaxing,” Schuman said. “But right when a deer pops into view your heart starts pumping and you get very excited. It’s a little bit of everything.”

Schuman said hunting has been in the family bloodline for many years.

“My dad introduced me to hunting. My family has been doing it for generations,” Schuman said. The feeling of watching nature wake up is one that you just can’t replace.”