There is a reason deer quality continues to increase, with benefits to all species and it is a direct result of hunting.

Story and photography by Bob Zaiglin

A young man of 12 asked his parents for a shotgun for Christmas.  Aware of his passion for hunting, they honored his request and on Christmas Day the first gift the youngster unwrapped was a long, narrow, rectangular-shaped box covered with wrapping paper decorated with white-tailed deer dashing through live oak trees.

It was the dawn of a new hunter with one and only one desire, and that was to hunt rabbits and squirrels once he turned 13.  Little did he realize the impact he along with thousands of other youngsters just like him would have on all wildlife.

Growing older, he relished the opportunity to hunt small game with his father, but the first time he observed an eight point buck while pursuing rabbits, his goal elevated to another level as he became obsessed with white-tailed deer.  In order to satisfy his desire to hunt deer, he took a part-time job after school in order to make enough money to purchase his first rifle.  After working for six months, he finally accumulated enough revenue to purchase a secondhand .300 Savage plus enough ammo to sight the firearm in and become comfortable with handling the rifle.

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