Hunting is a hobby that has long captivated individuals, offering a blend of outdoor adventure, sport, and the practical benefit of food. According to a survey sent to the students of Mount Vernon High School in December, 61 students responded and 45% of students hunt, highlighting its continued popularity. For many, hunting is more than just a pastime, it’s a way to connect with nature, build relationships, and even contribute to their families or communities. This is true for Riah Koster, a junior at Mount Vernon, a passionate and skilled hunter, who finds enjoyment and purpose in his pursuit of game.
Koster primarily hunts deer and turkey, turning his game into harvests for his family or selling them to others. “I hunt geese and deer because I can turn them into meat or sell them to people who really appreciate it,” Koster explains. For him, hunting is about more than the thrill of the chase, it’s a way to provide for others, whether through feeding his family or giving fresh natural meat to people who value it. “It’s rewarding to know that you’re helping your household or even helping someone else with high-quality meat,” he adds, reflecting on the personal and community aspects of his hobby, hunting.
Jacob Alger, a close friend and classmate of Riah’s, enjoys hunting alongside him and values the time they spend in the great outdoors. “I like to spend time with Riah when we’re hunting,” Alger says. “It’s not always what we get, it’s about being out here and learning from each other and enjoying the experience.” For Alger, hunting is more than just a pursuit of game, it’s an opportunity to bond, make memories, and enjoy nature while also trying to get some bounty.
Levi Hanna, also a junior, has always found hunting to be one of his favorite hobbies, it’s a way to reconnect with nature and challenge himself with something nothing else can. “The peace in the woods, the patience it takes, you can’t get that anywhere else,” Hanna reflects. For Hannas hunts he chooses the 12 gauge loaded with buckshot, a weapon perfect for any size of deer. “The power and spread of the buckshot makes it perfect for both small and large game,” Hanna explains. “It’s also a gun I’ve grown up and am comfortable with.” Whether Levi gets a deer or doesn’t, he enjoys the wilderness and the amount of peace it brings him as one of his favorite hobbies.
Hunting remains a cherished hobby for many. For individuals like Riah Koster, Jacob Alger, and Levi Hanna, hunting offers much more than a way to provide for themselves, it helps make meaningful friendships while creating memories. As this tradition continues to be popular, it remains a source of both practical rewards and memories for those who take part in it.
