2018 - Hunting passed down through the generations

Tyler Horton Connects With Family Hunting History

For Tyler Horton, harvesting an eight-point buck was special for more than its size. He used a rifle passed down to him by his grandfather, Vern Schlichting, who had his own memorable hunting story decades ago.

“Grandpa Vern was featured in the newspaper many years ago, and my mom still has it,” Tyler said.

The article, titled “Hunters Strike Jackpot of Deer With Magic 7,” appeared in the Duluth News Tribune in 1962. It reported that seven hunters near Meadowlands harvested seven deer during the season.

The hunting party included Louis Schlichting and his sons, Albert and Vernon, along with Donald Sharpe, Joseph Kiminski, Russell Anderson and Richard Kiminski. It was their third season hunting together, and Vern harvested the largest buck, weighing approximately 200 pounds. Louis had hunted the property for 14 years and said it was the group's best season since 1951.

Tyler wasn't hunting in Meadowlands, but he did harvest the biggest deer of his life — an eight-pointer in the McGregor area.

His father, Ben, also harvested a doe. Tyler was initially reluctant to reveal whether his brother, Laine, had been successful, but eventually admitted that Laine missed a deer this season.

“I always try to get a deer before he does,” Tyler said, noting that Laine harvested a six-pointer last year.

Tyler still has another tag, so the family competition may not be over.

Grandpa Vern would surely be proud.

Dante Benjamin Bags a 12-Pointer

Dante Benjamin, a sophomore at McGregor High School, harvested the biggest buck among the students featured in this report — an impressive 12-pointer near East Lake.

Dante hunts with his grandmother's husband, John Smekofske, and their hunting tradition includes a feast before heading into the woods, along with a tobacco ceremony.

“It is an offering to the Creator to help us get the deer,” Dante explained.

With his 12-point buck, Dante is in line to receive McGregor School's traveling trophy, awarded to the student who harvests the largest buck of the season.

Joe Oliver Overcomes Equipment Trouble

Joe Oliver, a junior at McGregor High School, hunts in the Big Sandy Lake area. This season, he harvested his biggest buck yet — an eight-pointer weighing approximately 145 pounds.

Joe said he was fortunate to get his opportunity after experiencing trouble with his rifle.

“The first time I tried to shoot him, my firing pin did not go off on my gun,” Joe explained. “It did it twice, and the deer just kept looking at me, so I slid the action forward slowly. The third time I kind of jumped and hit him in the spine.”

Joe began hunting at age 10 but didn't harvest his first deer until he was 12. That first deer was a small button buck, followed by a fork-horned buck last year.

Hunting is a family tradition for Joe, who enjoys heading into the woods with his cousins and uncle, Phillip Trujillo.

“Phillip is the main person that has taught me how to hunt,” Joe said.

Grant Grams Wakes Up to a Six-Pointer

Sophomore Grant Grams harvested his biggest buck this season, a six-pointer near McGregor. Like Joe, Grant began hunting at age 10 and enjoys spending time in the woods with his father, Paul.

Grant admitted that he was catching up on some sleep shortly before his successful hunt.

“When I woke up, I looked to my right and then to the left, and there he was coming out of the brush,” Grant recalled.

For Grant, the combination of a nap and a deer made for a pretty good day.

His cousin, Marshall, also had a successful season, harvesting an eight-pointer.

Grant's father and uncle Thomas, however, are still waiting for their turns.

“He hasn't shot one the past four years,” Grant said with a smile about his dad. “And my uncle Thomas hasn't shot one for the past seven.”

JD Chouinard: First Year, First Shot, First Deer

For sixth-grader JD Chouinard, this season brought a milestone he won't soon forget. On his very first hunting trip, he harvested his first deer with his first shot.

JD hunted with his grandfather, Mark, on the first day and his uncle, Doug Maudal, the following morning near Tamarack.

“The first day I went to Grandma Daisy Berg's to hunt, and the second morning I went with my Uncle Doug,” JD explained. “The first deer we saw, he let me take a shot at it.”

At first, Doug wasn't sure JD had hit the deer. They searched for blood but found none. Later, another deer appeared, but noise scared it away.

The mystery of JD's first shot was finally solved when his grandfather arrived and the group decided to return to the area where the first deer had been.

“That's when Doug spotted something white, and my grandpa said, ‘That's a deer belly. He shot it!’” JD recalled.

The shot had been successful, with the bullet passing through the deer's lung and liver.

Asked to sum up his first hunting experience in one word, JD didn't hesitate. “Awesome!”