Family Hunting Adventures: Chasing Thrills and Bonding in the Wild

There’s something primal and exhilarating about a family hunting trip—a chance to unplug, reconnect, and share stories that’ll be retold at every reunion for years to come. Forget the usual vacations with crowded theme parks or predictable beach days. Our family’s hunting adventures are where we trade Wi-Fi for wide-open spaces, screen time for quality time, and Netflix for nature’s raw drama. Here’s a peek into why our clan’s forays into the wild are the stuff of legend (and a few laughs).

The Great Squirrel Debacle

It all started when my friend Jake, self-proclaimed “Squirrel Slayer,” swore he could bag enough game for a family barbecue. Armed with a .22 rifle, a pair of binoculars, and an ego bigger than the forest, he led our ragtag crew into the woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The plan? Hunt small game, specifically squirrels, for a rustic stew. Jake’s confidence was infectious until we realized he couldn’t tell a squirrel from a chipmunk. Thirty minutes in, Timmy, with his eagle-eyed preteen focus, spotted a gray squirrel darting up a tree. Jake took aim, missed spectacularly, and hit a branch that sent a shower of acorns raining down on Uncle Mike. The chaos spooked every critter within a mile, and Ellie, trying not to laugh, tripped over a root, sending her water bottle rolling into a creek. By lunchtime, our haul was zero squirrels, one soggy sandwich, and a new family catchphrase: “Aim high, miss low, blame Jake.” Lesson Learned: Hunting teaches patience—and humility. Also, always double-check what you’re aiming at.

The Deer That Outsmarted Us All

Fast forward a few years, when we upgraded our ambitions to deer hunting in Montana. This time, we brought Grandma, who, at 68, insisted on joining because “sitting still is for suckers.” We set up in a tree stand, bundled in camo and whispering strategies like we were planning a heist. The forest was quiet, save for my uncle’s snoring (he claimed it was “strategic breathing”). Just as dawn painted the sky, a majestic buck appeared. Hearts raced. Ellie, now our designated sharpshooter, lined up her shot. But Grandma chose that moment to whisper-shout, “Is that a deer or a really big dog?” The buck bolted, leaving us with nothing but a story and Grandma’s unapologetic giggle. Later, over campfire coffee, she sketched the deer in her journal, titling it “The One That Got Away.” We framed it at home—our trophy for effort. Lesson Learned: Silence is golden, especially when Grandma’s around. And every hunt, successful or not, leaves you with a story worth keeping.

Timmy’s Turkey Triumph

A few years down the road took us to Texas for wild turkey season. Timmy, now 13 and armed with a youth shotgun, was determined to prove himself. We’d spent weeks practicing turkey calls, which mostly sounded like a cat stuck in a blender. But Timmy had heart. Under a starry predawn sky, we crouched in a blind, mimicking hen clucks and hoping for a gobbler’s response. After hours of waiting (and Ellie’s complaints about numb legs), a tom turkey strutted into view, fanning its feathers like it owned the place. Timmy’s hands shook, but he held steady, waiting for the perfect moment. When he finally pulled the trigger, the shot was clean, and the turkey was down. The whole family erupted in cheers, startling a flock of birds nearby. Timmy’s grin could’ve lit up the forest. That night, we feasted on turkey tacos, toasting to Timmy’s first harvest and debating who’d wash the dishes (Jake lost). Lesson Learned: Perseverance pays off, and nothing tastes better than a meal you’ve earned together.

Why We Keep Going

Hunting as a family isn’t just about the harvest—it’s about the moments in between. It’s Uncle Mike teaching Timmy how to track prints in the mud, Ellie learning to skin a squirrel without gagging (mostly), and Grandma’s campfire stories about her own childhood adventures. It’s the cold mornings, the shared thermoses of cocoa, and the inevitable bickering over who forgot the bug spray. These trips strip away the noise of everyday life. No phones, no deadlines—just us, the woods, and the thrill of the chase. We’ve learned to read the land, respect the animals, and laugh at our missteps. Each hunt adds a new chapter to our family’s story, one we’ll tell around the table for generations. So, grab your gear, rally your crew, and head into the wild. You might not always come home with game, but you’ll return with memories that outlast any trophy. Just don’t let Jake lead the way. I look back on my childhood, and my favorite memories were those memories that my parents gave me, with a childhood full of the outdoors. If you would like to have your adventures and ideas posted on the main website, please send us an email. Thank You for being a part of our online family! Be sure to check out the Hunting Store!

About The Author

Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Lunker Hunter. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase.