The Coach Series: Not Always Your Elders

When you think of male influences, our society often immediately goes to a Father or even a Grandfather. And, while those men are extremely influential in many lives; there are many other male role models and influences in a person's life. For me personally, I have several cousin's, a brother, and a husband who were extremely influential in who I became as a hunter and conservationist.

My brother was the classic younger brother, but I couldn't ask for a better brother either. He always pushed me, by any means necessary, to not limit myself by what I thought I was capable of, but instead what I knew I was capable through experience and pushing past those boundaries. He continues to inspire me through his work ethic, love of family, integrity, and the passing on the love of the outdoors as a whole.

The little time my brother has off each year is dedicated to hunting because he loves it. I see it each year through mentorship of his wife, daughter, and his sons into hunting and conservation. While we haven't been able to hunt together in many years, my hope is in the future that I will be able to hunt with him.

My cousin's: one living and one who has passed also had great influence over my passion for the outdoors and hunting. For the cousin who has passed, it was his stories of hunting as a child that guided my dreams and determination to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, I only have a child's recollection, but those are the most powerful.

The cousin who is living, became my confidant and best friend for many years. Encouraging me to continue to get outdoors no matter the activity. He always told me that there wasn't a problem that nature and being outdoors couldn't fix. When I finally decided I wanted to pursue hunting actively, he was there every step of the way, providing an ear to listen and advice for every question I had. Unfortunately, time and distance have prevent us from having the opportunity to hunt together, but we have high hopes for the future.

My husband has been my ultimate support in getting into hunting. As many wives/partners can attest, hunting with your significant other can go one of two extreme directions, really well or a disagreement followed by a really good hunt/hike/camping trip. He went with me to pick out my first bow as adult, has helped me over the years to finally find a rifle that has become an extension of myself, challenged my mindset of what I did and didn't need to be successful hunting, and ultimately given me the kick in the ass I need to get out of my own head and live in the moment without the fear of failure.

Each of these men have provide so much support, advice, and inspiration over the years, I simply couldn't chose one, but rather chose to honor them all. Collectively, they have hunted white tail, mule deer, elk, water fowl, and javelina across many different states in the West. I look forward to the opportunities and hope of the future and their continued influence of working hard, hunting ethically and with integrity, and the love of the tradition of hunting with those we love and passing on that tradition to the next generation

Western Influence Contributor Jessie Reinig