Since the beginning of the human race, humans have hunted as a way to survive. Over thousands of years, hunting has evolved from pure survival to a traditional outdoor recreation.

   Hunting has been a pastime and tradition passed down from generation to generation. This is true for many students here at GLHS, and Mr. Glinke, a Social Studies teacher at GLHS, wanted to reach out to Comets who enjoy the outdoors.

   “The contest started 13 years ago,” Mr. Glinke said. “I started it to reach students. I also wanted to encourage students to experience the great outdoors that God created and the sport of hunting.”

   The sign-ups opened at the beginning of Sept. and ran until Sept. 30. The contest itself is the duration of the actual hunting season, from opening day on Oct. 1 to Jan. 1. One of the students to sign up for the contest was senior Alex Dines. This was the last contest Dines could participate in because he will be graduating, so it was a special one. Alex Dines was this years winner, he won the 2018 Big Buck contest by taking a ten-point buck on Oct. 2. This year’s prize was a Cabela’s gift card.

   “Winning the contest was exciting and brought a great end to my 2018 hunting season,” Dines said. “I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to enter the contest and spend time pursuing something I’ve had a lifelong passion for.”

   Dines also reflected on the past Big Buck contests and why he hunts. Dines hunts because it is very important to him and his family.

   “I’ve participated in Mr. Glinke’s contest my sophomore, junior, and senior years, and I have won all three years,” Dines said. “When someone asks me why I hunt, I always have a loss of words because there are so many reasons. It’s not about harvesting the biggest buck, it’s about the experience of being out in the woods and connecting with the wildlife the great state of Michigan has to offer. The thrill of not knowing what’s going to walk in front of your stand, and the challenge of harvesting a mature buck is the most exciting part to me! Lastly, sharing the success with friends and family by filling the freezer and cooking delicious venison backstraps.”

   Another student at the high school shot a monster buck that would have beat Dines’ deer if he had signed up for the contest.

   “I was working a lot and didn’t think I was gonna shoot a monster,” senior Mason Sears said. “I do [regret not signing up], because I shot a monster buck.”

   Whether a student signs up or not, it is still fun to get outside and go hunting. In another Comets’ Tale article (Shortage of Hunters?), the author explains that the number of hunters in the country is declining. Mr. Glinke expressed his thoughts on the decline and how it has affected the contest.

   “In the beginning [of the contest], the numbers ranged between 50 or 60 students,” Mr. Glinke said. “Over the years, the numbers have dropped which coordinates with what is happening in the hunting world today.”

   The number of hunters may be going down, but Mr. Glinke stays positive and looks to the future of the contest and what he would like to see happen.

   “In the future, I would like to spark a new interest in the contest and have a female student win it all,” Mr. Glinke said.

   The contest will continue into the future in a bright way with Mr. Glinke’s help of encouraging students to go hunting. Congrats to Alex Dines, Mason Sears, and to anyone else who had a successful 2018 hunting season. Also, a special thanks to Mr. Glinke for holding the contest and continuing to promote the sport of hunting.