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Dan Monnat looks like the other kids today, but he spends much of his
spare time at his father's service station helping his father Pete Monnat
and Jonas Lehman, a 29 year old employee that is like big brother to
him, instead of playing video games or watching TV.
Dan and Jonas enjoy talking about hunting, their true common thread,
while they work. Dan grew up listening to stories about hunting from
his relatives and he knew he wanted to hunt when he grew up. Although
Pete has hunted in the past he never caught the bug and hasn't hunted
in some time. Pete may not hunt himself but is very supportive of Dan's
desire to.
Jonas, like Dan, has always been interested in hunting since he was
a young boy, listening to stories of relatives and friends. For the
last 15 years, since he was old enough to get his license, hunting has
been a major part of his life.
The bond grew as Jonas discussed his hunts with Dan in the shop. When
Dan was old enough his uncle took him to his hunter education class
so he could get his license. He spends time hunting with his uncles
but Jonas has become his true mentor. Last year they went turkey hunting
and Dan harvested his first tom. This past September Jonas brought him
to the CANY Youth Pheasant Hunt at the Allen Brown farm in East Martinsburg.
Although he managed to bag a hen, it didn't turn out to be his best
day as he left early when the flu bug bit.
Upon their arrival Dan signed in and Jonas bought a chance on a shotgun
raffle CANY sponsored, but instead of putting his name on it he put
Dan's. The raffle was to help offset the cost of the legal action CANY
filed along with the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association to
prevent the closure of the Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca and the destruction
of the breeder stock of pheasants. The pheasants released for the weekends
hunts were birds raised at the Reynolds farm.
In January at the CANY Board of Directors meeting Dan's name was drawn
as the winner of the raffle. I called to inform him he had won but his
mother told me he was skiing for the day. Pat Arnold, the CANY Region
6 Director made arrangements to meet Dan and Pete on her way home and
present Dan with his new Remington 870. Pete didn't tell Dan about him
winning, instead he told him he had to make a service and asked him
to ride along, which is something he does regularly. Imagine the look
on his face when they got to the shop and Pat was waiting with his new
gun.
When I heard of Dan and Jonas, arrangements were made to meet them and
Pete to learn more about this great relationship. Although Dan's desire
to hunt was there with or without Jonas, it is heartwarming to learn
how one man with a passion for hunting has impacted a young boy in such
a positive way. He is truly passing on his love for hunting to the next
generation. He not only takes Dan hunting with him, he takes him to
youth only hunting events even though he is not able to hunt himself.
I am sure there are many others with similar stories, but when I heard
this one I have to say I am happy that Dan was the winner of this shotgun.
It is the icing on the cake of a great relationship. Jonas is an inspiration.
He proves how you can positively impact the life of a new hunter. I
know Dan will cherish his memories in the field with Jonas for all of
his days, and when he is older he too will take some young hunters under
his wing and mentor them as Jonas did for him.
Congratulations Dan and thank you Jonas.
One final note, Dan was able to try his new gun out during the youth
turkey season this year but was unable to bag a bird. Good luck for
the regular season.
Rick McDermott
CANY Region 7 Director
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