It's early, probably around 5:30 in the morning. All is quiet and nothing moves except for the wind. You are walking to find that perfect spot, that perfect spot to see the big buck. Once you find that spot you wait and soon the woods come alive with sounds of animals getting up to start their day. This is what it's like to go hunting. I love to go hunting because often that's when I remember that God created the woods and all it's animals.

1. Guns, Guns, and More Guns

At an early age you learn how to shoot. I probably learned how to shoot a gun at age five. We all show off our guns to each other when we get together and whenever someone gets a new gun it's almost as if you just found out someone got married, it's a big deal.

2. The Stories

Whenever my family gets together we all tell hunting stories. Every Christmas and Thanksgiving the stories get shared. Some of these stories we have heard a thousand times, but they are still as good now as they were when they were first told. Just like when my uncle's Blue Heeler managed to chase a black bear up a tree (he was just a pup).

3. Competitions

It's always a competition to see who shot the bigger buck, gobbler, or bear. It's a competition, "Oh so you shot an eight point buck that's nice I shot a 12 point buck." You always want to do better than your family.

4. Hunting parties

While other families get together and have potlucks my family gets together and goes hunting. Every muzzle-loader season we all get together and go hunting. It's a great time to spend together as a family. It's also a whole lot of fun, usually with a bunch of shooting.

5. A Family Who Hunts Together Stays Together

You always hunt with others. You never leave your brother or sister in the woods even if you are mad at them. Hunting brings family together. You celebrate together when you get one and you mourn together when you miss. Hunting has taught me a lot about family. And for me hunting is a family sport.