Passing it On–Gun Sports and the Next Generation

We can't expect to keep our heritage of shooting and gun sports if we don't pass it on to the next generation of sportsmen.

“I landed in Des Moines [for the] Youth Hunter Education Challenge camp … . More than 100 young people … were participating. … Several of the events involved ‘live fire.’ In one particular event … [a] number of firing points were located along a ridgeline trail that led down through a heavy canopy of hardwood trees. To guide the student and ensure safety, each instructor/mentor placed his hand on the student’s shoulder. Thus connected, they moved together … . I watched this event through several rotations of students. As I did, the hand on the shoulder of the young person became spellbinding. I thought then, and think now, that in the hand of the instructor I also saw the hand of Roosevelt, the hand of Leopold, the hand of D’ing Darling. Each mentor’s touch was the hand of passage … heritage was passing to the next generation right before my eyes … .”—Jim Posewitz, Rifle in Hand, How Wild America Was Saved

Like this quote? Then we think you'll love Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Rifle Marksmanship!