Story by Craig Nyhus for Lone Star Outdoor News
When Jarrod Smith met Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation board member David Sweet at a pharmaceutical sales conference, it was the start of his hunting future.
“I grew up in inner-city Houston,” the 40-year-old Smith said. “There was no talk of hunting there, and I never had the opportunity to get exposed to it. But when I went to Trinity University and played football, a few of the guys hunted and I got to go to a few ranches.”
After college, Smith said life took over.
“I had work and a wife and kids,” he said. “There was never a chance at that point — I didn’t know people who were actively hunting.”
Fast forward a few decades to a chance meeting in Arizona with Sweet. “We talked about hunting, and I told David I really wanted to learn to hunt and fish. I don’t want my boys (Drew, 11, and Dylan, 6) to grow up like I did.” Sweet recognized Smith as a professional with both the passion and the means to hunt, a perfect candidate to hunt with LSONF, and the hunt was set up. In January, Smith made the 7 1/2-hour drive from his Sugar Land home to Stonewall County.
Once he arrived, the first stop was the shooting range.
“I had never shot a rifle,” Smith said. “We went through how the rifle works and gun safety.”
Sweet took the first shot to give the new hunter a feel for shooting a rifle. Then it was Smith’s turn with Sweet’s daughter’s .270 from Rifles, Inc.
“I think Jarrod closed his eyes on the first shot,” Sweet said. “I have no idea where it hit.”
Smith said he had to adjust to the anticipated recoil.
“We went back through the breathing techniques and squeezing but not pulling the trigger,” he said. “I improved after that first shot.”
Sweet said it was more than a little improvement.
“The next three shots were in a dime-sized group,” he said.
The next morning, Smith headed out with Steve Hudson, his guide for the morning.
“We weren’t in the blind 25 minutes and deer started to show up,” he said. “There were a few there at 7:15, then the feeder went off and we had seven or eight deer.”
The two had discussed the strategy at the ranch regarding what ages of deer they may shoot.
“There was an old, broken up deer there that they had seen before,” Smith said. “We identified the deer and revisited the tips I got the day before. Finally, I told Steve I was ready. I had to wait a little to calm down — the adrenaline was rushing.”
The shot was true and the deer dropped, no tracking required.
“It was a fantastic experience,” Smith said. “Going through the process wasn’t close to anything I had done before. I played sports, but this was a different feeling.”
Sweet was called and came to help load the deer, and the fun started.
“We dressed the deer,” Smith said. “It was real interesting. He had a lot of war wounds on his body.”
That night, Sweet shot a hog weighing more than 270 pounds, and learned why Smith was a star defensive lineman in college.
“I didn’t even think about trying to move it,” Sweet said. “Jarrod basically picked it up to load it in the truck.”
Smith’s deer was taken to Cinnamon Creek Wild Game Processing, and soon Smith will receive his order.
“Some buddies I played football with have given me some deer meat,” he said. “I’m looking forward to having my own — it’s going to be good.”
The new hunter’s future plans?
“Definitely this is just the start for me,” Smith said. “I want to get with guides and do some saltwater fishing this spring and get the boys out on Lake Conroe to catch some fish. And I think my 11-year-old is mature enough to go out with me hunting.”
Smith said getting his sons in the outdoors is his priority, and plans of deer hunting were discussed for when they are ready.
“They are too connected to devices,” he said. “We need to disconnect and enjoy time together — this is something I can share with them. They will appreciate it when they get older.”
