Kodi Wells with his 9-point buck taken in Kansas during the 2005 muzzleloader season.

By Kyle Schwabenbauer

Ron Wells of Stratford, Wis., is a very successful whitetail hunter. He has more Pope & Young bucks to his credit than you have fingers to count, and two of his trophies score in the 170s. But this article isn't about Ron's hunting achievements. Rather, it's what Ron has decided to do with his hunting knowledge that is much more noteworthy. 

Over the last several years, Ron's focus has shifted from filling his own tag, to teaching his two sons about the natural world and instilling his love of the outdoors in them. From the results so far, it appears his boys are very fast learners.

Kodi and Kyle Wells were first introduced to hunting when they were three years old. Since Kodi is a year older than Kyle, he was the first to accompany his father and grandfather into the woods during deer season. It was Kyle's turn the following year, and the two boys have been hooked on hunting ever since.

Ron thinks that too many youngsters spend their childhood staring at computer screens. As a result, his family doesn't have a computer at home. He prefers that his sons spend their free time learning about the world around them by getting outside and experiencing it for themselves.

Kyle Wells with his 8-point buck taken in Kansas during the 2006 muzzleloader season.

As Kodi and Kyle grew older and their interest in the outdoors increased, Ron looked for ways to actively involve the boys in his hunts. Unfortunately, in his home state of Wisconsin, the minimum hunting age is 12 years old. However, while he was attempting to fill a non-resident deer tag in Kansas, he learned of a new youth mentoring program in that state that would allow him to take his sons hunting when they reached 8 years old. Ron excitedly began to research hunting opportunities on public land and make preparations for taking Kodi on his first hunt during Kansas' early muzzleloader season in 2005.

The following September, Kodi and Ron were positioned along a bean field on public land in Pottawatomie County, Kan. A nice 9-point buck that they'd seen scouting the night before was steadily approaching. Ron had instructed Kodi to wait for an ethical broadside shot. So while displaying the patience and nerves of a veteran hunter, Kodi let the buck walk within 15 steps of their position before pulling the trigger and dropping the buck in its tracks. Kodi's first buck scored 117 inches. Like I said before, he's a fast learner.

In 2006, it was Kyle's turn to experience his first hunt in Kansas. Ron explained that the two boys are extremely competitive, so Kyle was willing to hold out for a buck equal to or larger than Kodi's from the year before. While sitting along a rub line on an oak ridge, Kyle passed up three young bucks on the last day of his hunt in hopes that a bigger one would follow. Twenty minutes later, he shot a beautiful 8-point buck with his .45 caliber muzzleloader. Kyle's first buck scored 123 inches. Kodi has been plotting his revenge ever since.

All competitiveness aside, it's easy to see that these two brothers are developing a bond that will last their entire lives. Ron said that when there are days he's debated waking up early to go hunting, the looks on the boys' faces make it an easy decision. I would like to thank Ron and his sons for carrying on a family tradition and helping to preserve our hunting heritage for future generations. 

Good luck this season boys, and keep up the great work!         

Kyle Schwabenbauer is on the PA Sportsmen Portal Field Staff. Visit www.pasportsmenportal.com for more information.