Through raw emotion and insightful tips, Cassandra takes us along on her hunting journey in this limited series.

Growing up in central Ontario, hunting wasn’t a conversation that was had often in our household… if at all. It wasn’t really advertised, and the information wasn’t as readily available as it is in Alberta. But what was a topic of conversation was general outdoor activities like hiking, camping, canoeing, and fishing—which I did plenty of and still do, but I’m not stopping there.

The outdoors has always been a big part of my life. Growing up on a lake, fishing from the dock, and spending as much time in the Ontario Parks system as possible helped to solidify my passion for all things outdoors. It brought me closer to wildlife, and to employment opportunities that combined my love of the outdoors and hunting.

I picked up photography when I moved to Alberta in 2018. Through the lens, I became infatuated with the world and wildlife around me—whether it was a coyote in Elk Island National Park, waterfowl around Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary, or an owl in Edmonton’s river valley.

My interest in hunting started when I began working for a hunting and fishing retailer. I was surrounded by coworkers and customers in various stages of their hunting journeys, and sold hunting-adjacent products like clothing, footwear, and food prep. Over my time there, I developed more of an interest in hunting and spent my lunch breaks talking with coworkers who hunted. I was eager to try the wild game they brought in and view the photos and videos of their trips. Originally my aim wasn’t to hunt, but rather to document my friends and their hunting adventures, while enjoying the added benefit of some of their harvest.

I went back and forth about whether I wanted to learn more, or if I was comfortable just watching others. If I did take the next step, how and what would I hunt? After changing jobs, I put the pursuit of learning on the back burner and focused more on outdoor activities, learning about plant identification, and the tracks and signs of a variety of animals.

However, the interest in hunting never stopped. I still had friends who hunted, and I would virtually follow along on their journeys. I scrolled through Instagram hunting stories and watched YouTube and Netflix shows about hunting. I was curious to learn different aspects of hunting and the experience of harvesting an animal. I wanted to explore if this was for me or if I should stick to photographing those who hunt. It was an itch that just never went away, always in the back of my mind, and ingrained in my search history.

Fast-forward to August 2022, when my hunting journey officially began. I took a solid step forward and signed up for my Hunters Education Certificate through Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA) and prepared for a long haul. As it turned out, it wasn’t as tough as I made it out to be—only taking a weekend to complete the online course! AHEIA made it easy to sign up, learn about wildlife and hunting, and complete the course, either online or in person. I found the online option allows you to take your time and adjust to fit your schedule. I received a paper certificate and card in the mail within a few days, followed by a laminated card a few weeks later.

Finally, I was able to add the certification to my AlbertaRELM profile, which allows me to buy a hunting licence and draw tags. But first, I want to expand my foundational hunting knowledge. I am ready to learn from a mentor on how to properly hold a gun and start target practice.

Cassandra’s Tips

• Learn from others. Talk to those around you that are already hunting.
• Find an online community/group. Having a community where you can ask questions and gain insight is important.
• Take the leap. The hardest part is the first step. Be patient and go easy on yourself, you don’t have to jump headfirst into the deep end.
• Find out your “Why.” Why are you interested in hunting?
• Embrace the change. Your “Why” might change or evolve, and that’s okay. Embrace it and grow with it.

This article was originally published in Conservation Magazine Spring/Summer 2023.