As a young boy living in California, our family would regularly take summer trips to rural Louisiana to see my father’s relatives who lived deep in the country. We would stay for weeks, and I loved it. All my cousins and I played all day and had so much fun I hated going back to California. One of the things that surprised me every year was that my older cousins who were teenagers would go shoot deer, rabbits, birds, and fish. It was nothing for them to kill a rabbit or bird. They were used to shooting and could handle a .22, hunting rifle, or shotgun as good as any full grown man. They could kill a deer and knew exactly how to preserve the meat after the kill. I was amazed how everyone of my cousins was so advanced when it came to hunting. I was completely lost and just watched with amazement. However, the skill of hunting was not only common throughout Louisiana, but all over rural areas in the USA.

African American families were skilled hunters because that was partially how they survived and lived. But with migration and urban sprawl, the hunting skills learned from our fathers and great grandfathers died out in our communities. Instead of hunting, we drove to the local supermarket and purchased our meat. But in the last six years there has been a resurgence of African American hunters. Hunting clubs are reporting new members trickling in unlike previously when nobody showed an interest. There is a renaissance taking place for African American hunters.

There are three main hunting organizations that focus on the African American hunting experience, and they are all growing. Celebrities such as Bo Jackson (who loves shooting with his bow), entertainers, and several former NBA players are seen actively participating in hunts. All these things help grow interest.

If you are interested in hunting, you can contact the following organizations: The African American Hunting Association (great website), the National Brotherhood of Hunters. (they hunt in the USA, and go on African hunting safaris.), or you can watch “Non Typical Outdoorsman TV” by Eric Morris who is an African American hunter who promotes hunting for our community.

Watch Non Typical Outdoorsman TV

Eric Morris has a TV show that focuses on attracting African American Hunters.  Outdoor television show, NonTypical Outdoorsman TV, is the most diverse outdoor show on earth and brings it brings a perspective to outdoor television.