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 series is meant to be a way to inspire and motivate you 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?
Jon: Jon Collins
WBC: Where are you from and where do you currently live?
Jon: Central Kentucky
WBC: What is your day job?
Jon: Outdoor Media
WBC: Do you have any family or pets?
Jon: I have a wife and 2 kids.
WBC: How and why did you get started into hunting?
Jon: I got started at a young age by my Dad and Uncles. They took me out and I was hooked.
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?
Jon: My Dad was definitely my hunting mentor when I was younger. He taught me the most important thing to be a successful hunter and that is woodsmanship.
WBC: What has been your favorite hunt? Why?
Jon: Probably a recent bison hunt with my brother, son, and dad in Wyoming. My brother drew the tag and the hunt was unsuccessful, but it’s the first hunt that we’ve all been a part of together.
WBC: What has been your biggest struggle when it comes to hunting?
Jon: Definitely cardio on mountain hunts. Haha!
WBC: Our strengths can also be our weaknesses. What are your weaknesses that can inhibit you on your hunts?
Jon: I can be a little too aggressive at times on certain hunts. Sometimes that results in me bumping my target animal. Being aggressive can pay off big, but it can also break a hunt pretty quick as well.
WBC: What piece of gear can you not hunt without?
Jon: I’ve became very attached to Swagger Bipods. They’re a bipod that is made for hunting, and it’s a tool that I don’t want to be without.
WBC: What is your favorite place to hunt and or species?
Jon: Coyotes are definitely my favorite! It would be hard to single out just one state. My top favorites would be Kansas, Wyoming, and my home state of Kentucky.
WBC: What is one piece of advice you would have liked to have or know when you first started hunting?
Jon: That’s a tough one. I started out hunting small game, so there wasn’t much talk about wind direction. When I transitioned into big game and coyotes I had to learn to respect the wind. Probably knowledge on using the wind in your favor for calling coyotes would have been huge. So the answer would be “ Hunt The Wind.”
WBC: What is your social media account handles or website?
Jon: You can find me on Instagram and Twitter at jon_collins3 or at ToothAndClawTV.com
We want to thank Jon for sharing his insight and thoughts. If you want to know more about Jon and what he does, be sure to follow along on his journey by checking out his Instagram account as well as the amazing work he is doing with ToothAndClawTV.com.
If you enjoyed reading the article 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 and you cannot out give good.
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.
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Hi thanks for shaaring this
Our pleasure!