Antibiotic-free, free range connection

Last week, I hugged a near-stranger. In a cornfield. A little before seven in the morning. 

Weird, right? 

Thus is the incredible connecting power of outdoor experiences. Let me explain. 

At work, we’ve launched this program called Hook and Hunt University. In partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the program connects those that hunt and fish with those that want to. 

Most of us that hunt or fish likely were introduced to it by someone. For me, it was my dad. For others it may have been a grandparent, a college friend, or in some cases where such mentors are absent in one’s social circle, agency staff affiliated with a program. 

A program such as Hook and Hunt University. 

Realizing that there are people in our community that may have an interest in hunting or fishing but lack a mentor, we launched the program. We kicked it off with a public invite to join us for appetizers at The Drake one evening last month. The 30-ish people that showed up were a mix of those willing to take someone new afield and a few that wanted to either get their first hunting experience, or expand into types of hunting they’d not yet done. 

One such “student” was a 50-ish Burlingtonian that, while not a stranger to hunting, had yet to harvest his first turkey, despite significant efforts to do so over the past few years. 

He had the desire. Burning, even. One might say he had caught the turkey fever. Not to be confused with bird flu, of course. 

I can relate. Spring turkey hunting is by far my favorite type of hunting out of all that I do. I suspect it’s a product of the changing weather, the longer days, and the immense challenge of luring in a bird that makes so much noise in the timber, yet is so skittish that I swear I’ve spooked them by blinking. 

I also know what a powerful experience it is to have a bird come in close and be successful in putting it on the dinner table. I still remember my first turkey, taken when I was 12 years old, now over 30 years ago. 

My wife can even attest to my turkey hunting addiction. When we first started dating and we had reached that point of “are we a thing?” that all relationships get to at some point, I refused to even discuss the question until turkey season was over. 

But this isn’t about my wife, as great as she is, especially during turkey season. This is about hugging some dude in a pre-dawn field. Which takes us back to the guy that wanted so bad to get his first bird. 

He and I chatted some at that kick off dinner, then a bit over text to arrange our hunt on opening day. We met at his car a little before 5am, did a gear check, reviewed the game plan, and headed to our spot. From scouting a couple days earlier, I had a pretty good idea there’d be a bird close to where we would set up along a field edge. 

I was wrong. 

As the sky got brighter, I got that familiar feeling that I was wrong about where the birds would be. From the gobbles we could hear, nothing was particularly close. We waited. I called some. 

Then, as it goes sometimes with turkeys, the situation changed suddenly. One gobbled closer. Half the distance from where he had been. I called back. He replied. 

Minutes later, he was in the field with us. 50 yards and closing. Full strut. Headed to the decoys. I tried to control my breathing and hoped the bird wouldn’t hear my heart pounding through my chest. I looked at my mentee. I’m sure he was shaking, but he hid it well. 

His aim was true and within a second, we were on our feet, jumping up and down, celebrating. Then a big high-five and a hug among two grown men that were no longer strangers. Connected forever over an experience that neither will ever forget. 

It wasn’t about the bird. Or the harvest. Sure, that’s what we celebrated, but hunting is so much more than that. It’s the strategy, the time outside, the comradery, the years of failure, the perseverance, and so much more. 

The antibiotic-free, locally grown, free-range protein that will grace his table later is the icing on the cake. 

But definitely worth a hug, nonetheless. 

If you or someone you know has interest in hunting or fishing, we have mentors willing to share their time and expertise. To learn more or to sign up for Hook & Hunt University as student or mentor, contact Marcus at Starr’s Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808 or via email at nackm@dmcounty.com.