The first of September marks the start of the hunting season for freshman Robbie Hill. As his anticipation grows, he buys ammo, prepares his gun and dons a camo vest, shirt, old jeans and tennis shoes.
The freshman sets out to hunt doves, deer and bears at least three or four times a year.
“I love the thrill of the hunt, when you take that shot and hit the animal, and your adrenaline starts pumping fast,” Hill said. “I walk very quietly the entire hunt until I see my prey; when I see it, I stand very still. I like hunting in the winter when it’s cold because it’s very calm and peaceful.”
Since age 5, Hill has hunted with his uncles in Oregon. Everyone on his father’s side of the family shares a passion for hunting. Two years ago in August, Hill experienced his first hunting trip with his uncles.
“I was extremely excited when my uncle told me I could go with him,” Hill said. “It was a six-hour-long boating trip down the Mackenzie River to find a place for carp. We couldn’t find any, but for target practice I skewered a pollywog on my first shot.”
His mother, Tamara, feels that dove hunting makes memories and strengthens family ties among the men.
“It is a great opportunity for some male bonding to occur within his father’s family,” Tamara said. “My brother and his son also went along this year, so it brings our two families together to make some memories.”
According to Hill, hunting presents a number of dangers, ranging from freezing temperatures, getting lost, gun malfunctions and coming into contact with wild animals. The young hunter recalls an experience of encountering a cougar with his uncle.
“I was bear hunting with my uncle, and we walked through a couple trees and saw a cougar eating a deer,” Hill said. “It looked up at me, and my uncle shot its back leg to scare it away because we didn’t have a tag to kill it.”
In order to ensure protection, Hill took a hunting safety course which is required for all young hunters to be able to hunt legally. In addition to these precautions, his family members have mentored him over time, Tamara said.
“His uncles on my side are both serious hunters and have schooled him through the years regarding gun safety,” Tamara said. “Fear is not something I entertain as I say goodbye.”
Over the years, Hill has experimented with a variety of techniques, especially during his time in Oregon. He undertook bow fishing, fly fishing, kite fishing, ice fishing, dredging and hand fishing.
Although two competitions are held each year to determine the best shots, Hill must wait another year, until he turns 15-years-old, to participate.
“For the competitions I wanted to attend, the age limit is 15, but I’m 14,” Hill said. “When I’m 15, I will try a competition because I want to show off my skills, and I want to show people that my young age doesn’t mean I can’t shoot.”
Hill has a passion for hunting and hopes to sustain his family’s tradition of it. The hobby is one which the freshman intends to continue pursuing.
“I will keep hunting until I can’t hunt anymore,” Hill said. “Hunting is in my blood, and I will always have the drive and determination to keep hunting. It’s a blast.”
For more student profiles, read the Dec. 10 article, Percussionist supplies leadership, motivation.
