The Essays – Part 3

An essay I chose from the third and final class I taught in 2004 is written by a young girl taking the course.  At the time Nicole Gronhovd was 13 years-old and her essay is unique for a few reasons.  First of all, she took the course with her dad, which made them the first father-daughter team in my course.  However, as you’ll read in her essay, she was not a born hunter.  Not yet anyway.  Not until her dad and a friend introduced her to archery.  Then, as you will see, her indifference turned to an enthusiasm she could share with her dad.

The main reason I’m taking the Hunter Safety class is so I can go bow hunting with my dad.  When ever my dad goes hunting and fishing, he usually asks me if I want to go.  Part of me wants to go, so I can spend time with my dad.  The other part of me doesn’t want to go because I would rather stay home or go shopping with my mom, that part almost always wins.  So my sister always goes with him.

But then one day my dad brought out his bow and arrow and set up our target.  I was kind of scared to try it, but I did.  And to my surprise, it was fun!  So my dad’s friend let me use his youth compound bow and I was really having fun.  I thought it was finally going to be me going hunting with my dad, instead of my sister.  When my dad asked me to go to the Hunter Safety class I said I would, and he said he would go with me.

So the first class I was at, I learned so much, and I’m so glad I’m taking it.  I really want to go hunting with him.  I want to be able to shoot my first deer.  I want to know how to handle a gun.  I want to be able to shoot a gun without being scared of it.  I want to learn how to do a lot of things, and I’m hoping this class will be able to teach me that.  And so far it’s been able to do that.  I’m really glad that I’m taking the class, and I’m really glad my dad is taking it with me.

Nicole Gronhovd

Copyright 2008