Hunting is hard. Flat out. It takes patience, courage, and grit. More often than not you are left with an unfilled tag in your pocket and a long walk back to the truck. So why do it? Why put in so much time, money and effort if percentages do not go in your favor? I know why I do it. I do it because the effort it takes to successfully harvest an animal is unlike any other feeling in life. Because with no risk there can be no reward. It is what makes hunting and harvesting your own meat so special.
Being new to hunting, I constantly second guess myself and have doubt about if I am doing the right thing, especially since I never had a mentor to bounce questions off of. It is my weakness. It is the internal battle that I struggle with when hunting. Have you ever had questions about what others would do in certain situations? Maybe you catch yourself not staying in the game mentally. I know I often do. I find myself double guessing a move or a plan of attack when I hunt. Being new to hunting can be frustrating and defeating, so much that it is hard to stay motivated.
This blog series is meant to be a way to inspire and motivate you and others when it comes to hunting your dreams, and at the same time making a difference in recruiting new members and building community in the hunting world. Hopefully the advice and insight shared by our guests can help you feel like you are not alone in your struggle against the wild, as well as build confidence in your chase.
WBC: What is your name?
Lexi: Lexi Hokett
WBC: Where are you from and where do you currently live?
Lexi: I am from the small town of Arlington, Washington. Now I currently live in Midland, Texas.
WBC: What is your day job?
Lexi: I am fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom with two awesome children.
WBC: Do you have any family or pets?
Lexi: My family currently still lives in Washington State. Shortly after moving to Texas I got married and was blessed with two kids. I have a five year old son named Tryston and a three year old daughter named Tresley. My children share the same passion I do for hunting and the outdoors which has only intensified it for me. It won’t be long before they are the ones pulling the trigger and I am their cheerleader!
WBC: How and why did you get started into hunting?
Lexi: I was not born into a hunting family but I was fortunate enough to marry into one. My in-laws have 10,000 acres just south of a town called Sheffield, here in Texas, where we do most of our hunting. It was at their property three years ago that with enough convincing and pressure I harvested my first whitetail, and thank goodness I did. Ever since that moment a fire was lit and a new passion was underway. Hunting has had a positive impact on my daily life by keeping me motivated to stay in great physical condition. Cardio and strength can make or break a hunt. It is important for me to put in the daily effort and improve in these areas so i’m always ready for whatever the outdoors throws at me.
It has also taught me to be more patient, persistent and driven in all aspects of my life. While hunting, you are not always promised a reward at the end of each hunt, but you are promised an experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
I’ve carried that into my daily life as a stay at home mom. Raising children is challenging each and every day. All you want at the end is a reward that you feel you never receive. It has helped me look at the successes and the beautiful lives my children live rather than looking for earning a top medal at the end of each day. My reward is being a mom and raising my children to be the best they can while at the same time providing them the same experiences I enjoy in life that will shape them to be their best selves.
WBC: Did you have a hunting mentor? What did you learn from them and or what did you want or wished to learn from them?
Lexi: My inspiration for hunting is self driven. I do not have one mentor specifically. I am fortunate enough to have close friends with the same interests and my husband who gives me advice and guidance. Everyone who hunts has a different approach and way of doing things. So far what’s worked best for me is listening to more experienced hunter’s opinions, and then working through trial and error to see if their remedy works best for me.
WBC: What has been your favorite hunt? Why?
Lexi: My favorite hunt would be my antelope hunt in New Mexico. Antelope was my first big game animal to harvest besides a whitetail. That being said, antelope will always have a special place with me. There is something so majestic about antelope on the plains in New Mexico! I have a mountain lion hunt coming up this year in Wyoming that I have a feeling will become my new favorite!
WBC: What has been your biggest struggle when it comes to hunting?
Lexi: My biggest struggle when it comes to hunting would be lack of confidence and experience. Being new to hunting, I try to take every opportunity I get to familiarize myself with judging animals, getting more comfortable with equipment and educating myself on the behaviors of a species and the habitat they live in.
WBC: Our strengths can also be our weaknesses. What are your weaknesses that can inhibit you on your hunts?
Lexi: As a full-time mom I have a very limited time to hunt without my children. Hunting is a challenge on its own, but hunting with children adds another level of challenge. While this can be frustrating at times, it’s also a wonderful blessing. We are all learning and making mistakes together. Sharing those moments of failure and success with my children is something I wouldn’t trade. I am thankful I get to instill a hunting mentality into them at such a young age and open their eyes to what the outdoors has to offer them.
WBC: What piece of gear can you not hunt without?
Lexi: Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is my Marsupial bino-harness. Its comfortable, convenient and it’s been with me on every single hunt. It also has a place for my rangefinder and allows me easy access to grab it in a hurry.
WBC: What is your favorite place to hunt and or species?
Lexi: This is a hard one! I have not been able to obtain an elk tag for myself yet, but I was fortune it enough to tag along with a friend who had an archery tag in New Mexico this past September. WOW! I completely understand the obsession with elk in September. I have never experienced anything like that! That night I went to sleep hearing elk bugle in my head! As of right now elk would be my favorite species to hunt. I have some hunts coming up I am really looking forward to experiencing. Currently planned is an aoudad hunt in West Texas, lion hunt in Wyoming and an Africa hunt, so this answer could change in the very near future!
WBC: What is one piece of advice you would have liked to have or know when you first started hunting?
Lexi: One thing I wish someone would have told me is that I will fail way more times than I will succeed, and that’s OKAY! The saying “well, that’s hunting” didn’t resonate with me at first, but it sure does now. Hunting is a constant game of improving and learning from your mistakes. Another piece of advice I wish someone would have told me is not to get caught up thinking ahead to the outcome, but just enjoy the moments that lead to it. I’ll never take for granted being outside breathing in fresh air and taking in nature. It’s a gift in itself. Hunting has filled a void for me I never knew was missing. It has given my life a whole new meaning and purpose.
WBC: What is your social media account handles or website?
Lexi: I am on Instagram. My handle is lexihokett.
We want to thank Lexi for sharing her insight and thoughts. If you want to know more about Lexi and what she does, be sure to check out her Instagram account.
If you enjoyed reading the blog or can think of anyone that could benefit from the insight given, please share it with others. It is “OUR” job to continue the growth of the hunting and outdoor community. Be sure to invite someone to start hunting with you, you never know what type of impact it may have for them and their life. Remember, mentorship is conservation.
If you would like to be featured in the blog series or know someone who should be, let us know by emailing us or direct message on Instagram.
We want to know what you thought about the article. Tell us your thoughts below in the comment section. Don’t forget to subscribe!