Syracuse.com - Camillus man shares 'a different perspective' after going Canada goose hunting with daughter

[HuntingNY-News]

"I am here to tell you that hunting means something different to everyone. For me it's the quality time spent, the stories told, the things we learn and teach the hard work, the patience, practice, but most of all the adventure and memories made during it," the father said.

Mia following her first successful goose hunt after getting her hunting license. 

Editor's note: Marc Bresadola, of Camillus, wrote the following emotional story about a recent Canada goose hunt with his daughter, Mia, 12, pictured above. He included in his story memories of a 2008 outing with Mia, and her twin sister, Bianca, who is no longer alive.

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"I read your article a few months ago about a 12-year-old boy and his goose hunt. I also remember the mixed reviews it received especially from the woman in NYC. I wrote a quick story of my recent goose hunt and what it meant to me. It might give people a different perspective on some of the other uses of hunting as a learning tool. I am also enclosing a picture from 2008.

Bresadola's story follows:

"My daughter Mia Bresadola turned 12 this year and after months of harassing me to sign her up; she was able to complete her hunter safety course. I took Mia to get her junior hunting license this fall and she was very excited to finally be able to participate in hunting adventures. I was asked to join a couple of friends on a goose hunt this past weekend and Mia was to come along and participate in her first goose hunt.

"But this is not where this story begins; this particular story began 4 years ago on September 6th 2008.

"On that day back in September I took Mia, her identical twin Sister Bianca, and my father (Grandpa Moose as they called him) on an evening goose hunt. The evening was to be a time spent together, to teach, to learn, to tell stories, but most of all to make memories of a new adventure.

"Oh yeah, there was also a goose hunt. As the evening went on we were fortunate enough to have a flock of five birds commit to our decoy spread.

" I remember saying "don't look up keep your head down, and don't move" just as my father and once told me. Just before they hit the water grandpa moose was able to take two birds.

Mia and Bianca after going goose hunting with their dad and grandfather in 2008. 

"The girls were excited as they got to watch their dog, Koda, do what dad had spent countless hours of teaching the dog to do. "Fetch em' up" as our chocolate Lab jumped in the water and swam back with our geese.

"I still remember the smiles on their faces, the excitement we shared, and the beautiful sunset as we left. I couldn't help but think it was time well spent, they learned something, and they took something from the adventure and now have a lasting memory. It was a hunting adventure that was way more than just the harvest of two geese.

"We fast forward to this past Saturday November 9th and Mia's first goose hunt in Canastota. Mia and I met up with my friends Keith and Chris LaFrance who have never met Mia before. I enjoy a proud moment when Keith tells me "you got a real worker there" as Mia is hustling out decoys into the field and setting up layout blinds.

"But that was just the beginning of the adventure, as the hunt began and the first pair of geese set into our spread I enjoy another proud moment when Mia remains still with her head down not looking up, and waiting patiently.

"We let Mia shoot at the birds first and she is able to harvest one of them while I took the other as it was past her shooting zone. She was just as excited as she was back in 2008 and this time her smile was bigger, she wasn't missing her front teeth this time. What really tied it all together were the words she spoke, "I did what you said and kept my head down and didn't move".

"But the clincher was "I think Bianca sent those geese to us because remember the last time we went with you, we got two geese". (Bianca passed away in December of 2008) but the memory that was made back in September five years ago will always be with us. Mia remembered it like it was yesterday as well as I did.

"I also couldn't help but think maybe that was Bianca's way of telling me that she also remembered that day back in September and that she will be with us on all of our hunting adventures.

"I am here to tell you that hunting means something different to everyone. For me it's the quality time spent, the stories told, the things we learn and teach the hard work, the patience, practice, but most of all the adventure and memories made during it.

"Oh yeah, then comes the actual hunt."

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog