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'OUR TRUE HERITAGE' by Heidi Bambach

We have become a society that feels it must be plugged in, in order to enjoy life on a day to day basis. We have gone from few gadgets in my day, to a time when being unplugged means near death to a teenager! I recall telling my own children, who now are all grown and gone except one, that they needed to get outside and play. Staying inside and watching television was an option saved for rainy days, or days that it was too cold to go out and have fun with all the other children in the neighborhood. Now, it's rare indeed to see groups of youngsters out playing tag, or having a rowdy game of touch football. When we see kids out after dark, we tend to wonder what mischief they're up to. We used to be forced to come in when darkness closed in-we were out playing and laughing, and forming long-term relationships with our peers.
I came to game hunting late in life, a mere 12yrs ago. I grew up shooting barn swallows, and having family target practice sessions many a weekend. But as girls, we weren't allowed to go hunting with the boys. When I became an adult, I moved to many different states, as well as Germany. Anything outdoors took a backseat to raising my family. I have six children, four sons and two daughters. When my youngest son was born, all the others were nearly grown. I figured since I would then be out numbered, I would give the "guy" things a whirl. I had one of our very dear friends take me out for a doe hunt. I even had to borrow a weapon. From the moment that first deer emerged from the tree line I was hooked! I had doubts as to whether I'd even be able to pull the trigger, but I needn't have worried. From the moment I shot at and watched my first whitetail fall, I have never looked back! They became my greatest passion in life, second only to my family. I began to think of ways to hunt them longer, harder-to spend more and more time with them. I took up the muzzleloader to extend my deer season, then I added late doe, and finally archery. The latest giving me the up close and personal contact that provides me with an irreplaceable high!
Since we live in the country, and can see for miles, I have taken to sitting out on my roof in the evenings during off season studying all things whitetail. I have challenged myself to know everything I can about my prey. Folks go by and either stare in amazement, or throw a big wave and a smile. I also practice shooting my bow from the edge of the Roof-line, which raises a few eyebrows as well! Last year I expanded my interests to hunting turkey, simply to fill the need to be outdoors. My husband is not nearly as passionate as I-the understatement of the year-but thankfully my youngest son is following in my footsteps. He has participated in the Youth Hunt here in Michigan for the past few years, and has successfully harvested several does. Like myself, he cannot get enough of the outdoors, and can often be found in the woods behind our house, rain or shine. He takes advantage of every possible season for hunting, as well as fishes almost every day during the spring and summer months, and keeps us amused by practicing his game calls in his bedroom when he thinks we can't hear him! 
My oldest grandson had his first youth hunt last year, and harvested a young buck. The excitement in his voice when he called me was almost palpable, and my heart swelled with pride! I have a friend with a four year old son, who just cannot wait until he gets old enough to come hunt with me. He collects branches that he tells his parents are "antlers" that he got while "hunting out back" with me. Talk about an incredible feeling! We need to instill these feelings in the next generation guys-we need to get these children fired up about the outdoors! We need to let them know that there is a whole beautiful world beyond the walls of their homes. We need to get our children back to being children again! We need to get them to the field, the woods, the lakes and rivers. They need to be outdoors, learning how to become good stewards of the planet!
There is just such an organization, run by a man named Mike Murphy. Mike has spent his whole life loving the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping-he has done it all, and has passed his legacy on to his own children and grandchildren. For more than ten years, Mike has been a videographer on many television shows. He, along with world-famous Huntress Joella Bates, and Chuck Echenique from Rebel Yelp Outfitters, have teamed up with camera man Cody Tolley to bring kids back to the outdoors. They don't just work with the children, they work with the families. They realize that there just isn't time anymore in this chaotic world, for families to spend enough quality time together. They strive to get them out, whether it be camping, fishing, or hunting. They have made a commitment to our future. To getting children up off of the couch and into the fields where they can see the beauty that is nature. Hear the birds that are the music of the wild. Learn what a fir tree smells like. What the soil really feels like under their feet! They care about the future of children. Your children, mine, the neighbors-all of them. Kids Hooked on the Outdoors is a life line for our youth, and they need people like you and I to step up and help get these folks out there!
They need sponsors to get this program off the ground.  They need community awareness. Hunting is an industry that pours millions of dollars into local economies every year, providing vital funding for wildlife conservation as well as education. And if we don't teach children how to get out there in the fields, the woods, the lakes and streams, this money will dry up. So I'd like to invite you to go to the website and read about their program and all it has to offer. Kids Hooked on the Outdoors teaches our children how to appreciate the world from the right side of the glass. What the sun feels like, and how flowers smell without the use of virtual reality apps. How to tell a doe track from that of a big buck. How to get a trout off the hook and release it gently back into the stream. To teach our young girls that they can go afield and do anything that boys can do. They have the strength and power to pitch a tent, hike to the top of a mountain, and skin a rabbit-just like dad! Together, we can make a commitment to help get our youth get back to where they belong-back to the outdoors. Please, help us preserve our hunting ancestry by fueling the next generation! 
 

Thank you in advance! Heidi Bambach

Mike Murphy  *  334-742-8024  *  m2murphy0316@yahoo.com

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