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By Jake Slater

I wake up to the sound of my alarm going off at six o’clock one fall morning. I struggle to make my way out of bed and throw on my coveralls in preparation for the cold morning breeze I know is coming. I make my way out of the house, assuring that I have everything I need for the morning hunt. The fields are dark, and the moon is my only source of light guiding me over fences and around feeding cows. I walk along the fence that separates the field and the wooded ridge, looking for the best access point. After hurdling the fence, I discreetly walk to a collection of boulders sticking out over the ridge, giving a perfect view of the vast fields and creek down below. 

My vision becomes more clear as the sun rises, and I watch as the many squirrels, birds, and turkeys run around me without ever knowing of my presence. Eventually, down below the ridge, I finally see what I have been waiting for all morning. A small group of does and a buck following behind them. With my sights set on the buck that is now standing 20 yards away, I raise my bow and let an arrow fly. The buck quickly runs away, crashing through the woods, but within the next minute, I hear the deer fall. A sudden rush of adrenaline fills my body, because I know that is a deer of a lifetime.

Photo Credit: Britannica.com. 

Ever since I was able to walk, I have spent countless hours deer hunting, and I have spent even more time preparing to do so. This process includes walking to the right plot of land and finding out the best spots to hunt, as well as practicing shooting. Recently, I was introduced to bow hunting, and this has opened up a whole new world and really helped me expand my appreciation for hunting.

I was first introduced to deer hunting by my father, varsity baseball coach and Assistant Athletic Director Andrew Slater (‘96). I have gained a great appreciation for it because of the connections I have formed with family members and friends. Deer hunting is not only a hobby of mine but also a way to spend time and bond with my family. There is more to deer hunting than harvesting a deer, and it is often something I do to destress and enjoy my surroundings.

Blandfield Plantation. Photo courtesy of Blandfield Plantation.

I first started waterfowl hunting with my grandpa, Tom Slater, along with my dad and brothers Will (‘24) and Sam (‘28). In the past, we have historically driven eleven hours to Riverview Plantation in Camilla, Georgia to quail hunt over three days during Winter Break. This past year, we decided to travel somewhere a little closer. We decided on visiting Blandfield Plantation, which sits along the Rappahannock River in Essex County, Virginia. Blandfield offers 4,000 acres of pristine hunting land, including 600 acres of marsh, along with experienced guides to ensure a successful hunt. Blandfield is where I expanded my love from deer hunting to duck hunting as well.

I also have hunted with my friend, teammate, and classmate Carter Mitchell (‘25) at his farm in West Point. We were very successful over Winter Break and were able to call in close to a hundred geese and reach our three-man limit of six in our last 20 minutes of hunting.

At Blandfield, my family and I we were able to go on two hunts, one in the late afternoon and one in the morning the following day. Both hunts proved very successful, but the morning hunt is one I will never forget. 

We started the morning by waking up around five a.m. and hurrying to get our waders on and everything situated in the little light we had. We made our way down towards the river, where there were two boats waiting for us, one for my brothers and father, and the other for my grandfather and me, because we were going to different areas. We left the shore and began speeding through the marsh, eventually making it to the the blind we were hunting. The blind looked over a small opening in the marsh, and once we got settled, we waited for better light.

Photo credit: Jake Slater.

My grandfather and I waited for the ducks to begin flying in as the sun began rising, and it did not take long. Gadwalls, Mergansers, and Mallards all were flying around us throughout our hunt, and many often flew right above our heads before attempting to land. The cold air and slight rain proved to not bother the ducks, and due to this, we were able to reach our limit. Hunting, especially alongside someone such as my dad or grandfather, has taught me so many valuable life lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

For years I have debated which I enjoy more, waterfowl hunting or deer hunting. I have been deer hunting for almost my entire life, while I have only been waterfowl hunting for the past three years. However, my many amazing experiences waterfowl hunting have made it harder to choose one. 

Deer and waterfowl hunting both have their advantages and disadvantages. Deer hunting is deemed boring by some but therapeutic by others. On the other hand, waterfowl hunting is usually much more action-packed. When waterfowl hunting, you have the ability to talk to those you are hunting with without the fear of scaring the birds away. Whereas when deer hunting, you have to be silent in order to not scare them off.

Evening sunset on the marsh. Photo credit: Jake Slater

Whether I am deer hunting with my dad or duck hunting with my grandfather, I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. Hunting has impacted my life so much as it not only provides me with a hobby but also with a greater appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors. This is due to the many hours spent watching and listening to all different kinds of animals. Hunting has also pushed me to become more involved in wetland preservation and the protection of wildlife.