ROSS TAYLOR

Photo Stories: The Vanishing Hunter

While hunting has been a part of the American tradition back to the country's founding, over time it's popularity has fallen dramatically. Much of it has to do with the disconnect people have with the 'harvesting' of their meat. Many now look unfavorably on hunting, even those who eat meat, and for a variety of other reasons, including a diminishing of available land, hunting is on the decline in America. But for those who still hunt, the reasons for hunting remain numerous, including: a greater sense of appreciation for nature, a shared comradery with fellow hunters and wildlife conservation.  

  • Barry Wahl, of Enfield, walks out of the woods after going woodcock hunting. Wahl didn't get any woodcock this day, but as for most hunters, just being out in the woods is enough for them to enjoy the experience. Wahl has hunted for more than 40 years.
  • Frank Wasylink looks over a turkey that was shot by his son, Frank, Jr., during opening day of Turkey Hunting Season on a private property in Stratford, Connecticut. Mr. Wasylink is a senior hunter safety instructor with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. The turkey, which is about one-years-old, will provide about 4 famaily meals for the Wasylinks. The son and father were out enjoying opening day together and only one shot was fired the entire day, the one that put down this turkey by Frank, Jr. Frank, Sr., like many other hunters, views the opportunity to hunt with their family as a chance to spend quality time together - not only to grow closer together as a family, but also a chance to learn about nature and nature conservancy.
  • Barry Wahl, center, looks back to his brother Bob, (unseen at right), after their dog, Red, hears what might be a woodcock on a tract of land in Hartland. The art of hunting brings the two brothers together often, and it's an experience they have shared much of their life.
  • Don Joy checks the bullet wound of a deer that was shot on opening day of deer hunting season.
  • Don Joy, left, 68, of East Hartland, reacts with excitement for Bob Vezina, 77, of Hartford, after he shot a deer on the first day of the season. At left is Beth Irwin, who was hunting with her father, Tim, nearby the two men. Joy and Vezina have hunted together for 40 years. {quote}I was as happy as if I had shot it myself,{quote} said Joy, who scouted out the stand for his friend Vezina. {quote}We don't really need to get a deer while we're out - if we get one it's great, but it's more just being out there and enjoying nature.{quote}
  • Tim Irwin and Don Joy carry out a deer from the woods that was killed by Bob Vezina, The food harvested from this deer will serve numerous meals to the families of all three hunters.
  • Beth Irwin waits patiently in a tree stand while out deer hunting with her father, Tim. Beth, 13, didn't shoot any deer but did see a few in the distance. For hunters, learning to be patient is an integral aspect of hunting; and just seeing deer and various aspects of nature is one of the many enjoyable parts of hunting, all of which requires a hightened level of patience.
  • Barry Wahl is seen in a reflection of his brother's truck as he pauses before heading out to hunt.
  • Dottie, an English Pointer, carries a pheasant back after it was shot. Dottie is owned by Bob Wahl of Suffield, who has hunted for more than 40 years. Wahl was out hunting with a few friends of his. {quote}Dottie is one of the best dogs I've owned - they say you own one great dog in your lifetime, and I think Dottie is going to be it (for him).{quote} Wahl spends roughly 15 hours a week, 40 weeks of the year, training the dog to point birds such as pheasants and woodcocks. It is in many ways, an art form for Wahl.
  • Shirley Jurkowski, of Ellington, watches and waits for a pheasant to be flushed while hunting with friends.  Jurkowski was out hunting with her friend, June Shew.
  • It's an emotional sight for Beth Irwin, 13, as she stands by a deer that had been recently shot on opening day of hunting season. Irwin was out hunting with her fatehr, Tim, who was passing on the tradition of hunting to Irwin.
  • A pheasant, which was shot during a hunting outing by June Shew and Shirley Jurkowski is cut and prepared for later storage of the meat. None of the birds that were killed this day were laid to waste - much of the meat from the birds was cut and stored away for later use in meals.
  • Frank Wasylink, Jr. carries out a turkey he shot with the assistance of his father. Frank, 16, hopes to continue the tradition of hunting his father is passing along to him, even though increasingly he's part of the tradition that is disappearing more and more each year.
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