When I think about the best ways to bond with my children, one theme comes up again and again: intentional time together. The most meaningful moments are the ones without distractions, when phones are put away and we can focus on simply being present and making memories.
As a parent, it’s easy to watch how quickly years pass. The window for these family moments is short, and we parents are searching for ways to deepen the connection with our children, to give them experiences they will look back on with pride and nostalgia. Shooting and hunting rank high on that list. Time at the range, riding a cart, walking a field, or sharing a hunt offers a rare combination of excitement, challenge and genuine connection.
Last fall, my son and I tried something new together: a pheasant tower shoot. It is an ideal introduction for someone comfortable with shotgunning but new to hunting. At the center of the field stands a tall tower stocked with crates of birds. At intervals, birds are released into the air, flying off in unpredictable directions. Shooters are positioned at fixed stations, known as pegs, arranged in a wide circle around the tower. Each peg typically hosts two or more hunters, creating a shared experience as much as an individual one.
As the birds are released, everyone waits for that split second when wings angle toward their peg. It is fast-paced and engaging, but also easily approachable. There is no pressure, just the opportunity to take a shot, celebrate a success, and enjoy the moment. Much of the experience happens between shots, talking through strategy, encouraging one another, and sharing in the success of others.
On our fall shoot, one moment stood out above the rest. In the middle of changing pegs and awaiting the signal for the next round, an NRA member my son had just met pulled him aside and offered him the chance to shoot his historic side-by-side shotgun. It was a generous and thoughtful gesture, and a completely new experience for him. That small act of mentorship and inclusion left a lasting impression, and it highlighted something important about this community: the commitment to welcoming the next generation, sharing knowledge and ensuring traditions are carried forward.
Beyond the shooting itself, the day offered even more. We rode out into the field, watched skilled dogs work and retrieve birds, met fellow NRA members, and connected with a welcoming group of organizers and landowners. At the end of the day, we brought home dinner and a shared sense of accomplishment.
The farm we visited hosts this tower shoot every Saturday following Thanksgiving. After our first experience, my son and I agreed it would become an annual tradition, something we will look forward to each year.
Happy Mother’s Day to the women of the NRA who are raising the next generation of shooters, hunters and advocates. There is a responsibility in that role, but also an opportunity. Through these shared experiences, we are not only passing down skills and values, but we are also building lasting bonds. That may be the most important part of all.
