‘As soon as I could walk, I was out hunting’

Last year, brothers Connor and Caden Briner followed the footsteps of their father when they each shot their first deer.

“They were about a week apart,” said their father, Mike Briner. “Caden actually shot his on his birthday.”

Leaving the nest

While Connor is only 10, Caden is of age and certified in hunter safety, meaning in Iowa he can hunt on his own without parent supervision.

“I’ve only gone out alone a couple times,” said Caden Briner. “It’s good to have that time to yourself.”

“He kinda hunted by himself during shotgun season,” said Mike Briner. “But I or somebody else was kind of close just in case he ran into some sort of problem.

Going alone is an important step for a young hunter, said Mike Briner. Safety and proper training are put to the test when a child begins going solo.

“Be patient with them,” said Mike Briner. “For a long time, Connor was scared to shoot a gun. He fired a gun once that had a bit too much kick and it knocked the wind out of him. It took him a while to shoot another gun again. You have to start them with small arms, don’t let them start with a big caliber.”

“You have to be careful with your gun,” said Caden Briner. “If something goes wrong, somebody could get hurt.”

Team sport

While Caden Briner may be able to hunt on his own, he said there is something important about hunting with friends and family.

“I was with my cousin and my dad was with Connor,” said 13-year-old Caden Briner. “We both walked separate sides of the timber to see what we could find. We were hoping they would kick up a deer toward us and they did. That’s when I got my first kill. It was exciting.”

The Briners said hunting is also a chance to get to know other people and learn tricks from them.

“I made a few friend of my cousins,” said Caden Briner.

“What’s good with group hunting is he can go with someone else and they can teach him something I may not even think of or practice myself,” said Mike Briner. “For example, when I go bow hunting I stay in a deer stand or a blind. My nephew goes out in a ghillie suit and spot and stalks them. You walk a few steps, stop and look around. “

Family matters

Hunting is a tradition to many families, particularly in rural America. Mike Briner said he was taught by his father and always intended to pass his teachings on to his sons.

“As soon as I could walk, I was out hunting,” said Mike Briner. “They both started actually hunting, themselves, last year. Connor has been going along with me for a couple of years now, he started when he was five or six. Caden’s gone with me a few times too but not as often. He prefers when he gets to hold the gun.”

The family has hunted deer, coyotes, pheasants, raccoons and waterfowl to name a few. Mike Briner said hunting is about more than just the sport.

“It provides for the family,” said Mike Briner. “As long as you’re going out and doing it the ethical way, it’s a way for everyone to be outdoors, appreciating nature, and hunting teaches patience.”

The Briners said hunting with family is an experience in its own right.

“It makes memories,” said Mike Briner. “I’ve gotten these two hunting and I even got my wife hunting this year for the first time. Passing everything I know onto them is a huge thing for me.”

“It’s a bonding experience,” said Caden Briner. “I have a lot of fun. My favorite part is joking around with the people who go hunting with you.”

Aside from teaching, Mike Briner said it’s a good chance to witness the accomplishments of his sons and is a point of pride for him.

“I was able to be there with both of them when they shot their first deer,” said Mike Briner. “That’s what made it great for me.”