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By Wayne Selfridge
All too often the hunting and fishing parent, with their own adult sporting agenda, leaves
an unseen youngster behind, peeking through a window at four in the morning with a lone
tear running down a cheek.
Parents with children who have fledged and left the nest, or have adolescents soon to take
that first flight, can attest that we only have a narrow window of opportunity to be with
and nurture our kids.
 It's tough in today's world where
most parents work away from the home, busy bringing in two paychecks to make ends meet in
our dual-income household society. The kids are absorbed in school, attending
assemblies, playing sports and making those orthodontist appointments. Seems like
precious little time that's not occupied.
All too often
the hunting and fishing parent, with their own adult sporting agenda, leaves an unseen
youngster behind, peeking through a window at four in the morning with a lone tear running
down a cheek, watching the pick-up back out of the driveway wishing that the most special
person in the world had asked him or her to share in the adventure.
The tough-love theme to this column is that a parent needs to not only manufacture the
time, but to include their kids as their primary partner afield. For instance, take
your deer camp vacation week during the Thanksgiving school break. When upland
gunning, even a youngster not old enough to carry a gun will feel part of the hunt
retrieving or carrying your game. A six year old will sling that bunny over a
shoulder and display it like a trophy buck. When my son,  Justin, was young I'd entertain him on long drives to favorite
fishing holes with hunting and angling sagas from all over the world. Kids get
travel-bored quickly, so the tales helped pass the time. I don't know how many times
he asked, "Dad, do you think I'll ever have any stories to tell?"
Justin's 16 now, already downed a deer and bear, and is as good a wing shot as most
adults. It won't be the numbers or size of the game he takes, or a full creel that
he'll remember. Memories are made up of deer camp practical jokes, tailgate lunches,
wildlife antics, boat talk and all of those "firsts" he experienced with Dad.
The photos
with this column speak volumes. They depict powerful testaments of parents who
understand the importance of passing on the sportsman's torch. Now let's showcase
Aroostook Kids and their mentors in a fitting publication dedicated to those same
ideals. Okay kids--now strut your stuff!
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Wayne Selfridge is a seasoned outdoorsman who has hunted and fished throughout the
world as a military veteran. He works in law enforcement, is a member of the New England
Outdoor Writers Association and serves as the Sporting Journal's Northern Sales Manager.
© 2000 Northwoods Sporting Journal
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