Some people hunt as a means for food. Some people hunt with friends and family as a bonding experience. Some people hunt for the peace and tranquility of being out in the woods. Some people hunt to help control the animal population. And finally, some people hunt for the experience.


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While there are many answers to the question of why people hunt, it can only be determined by the specific hunter. Wade Christopher, a senior who is majoring in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University, hunts for a purpose. He enjoys deer hunting, squirrel hunting, duck hunting, and quail hunting. He recently got involved in turkey hunting when his good friend Bailey Cates invited him down to the farm during Spring Break of 2009.

“There are numerous reasons why I like to hunt,” Christopher said. “But the biggest reason is because I get to spend time with my friends and family. It’s not about the actual killing of the animal, it’s about the experience with friends and family and getting to connect with nature.”

Christopher started hunting when he was “literally in the crib.” His family even has pictures of him being toted around their hunting camp when he was in a stroller. From the time he was able to walk, Christopher has always spent time in the woods. It has been a life long experience that he has participated in, and he jumps at the opportunity to be out in nature.

“It is a great way to escape the busy life that we endure every day,” he said.

Christopher has spent his time at Auburn University studying and playing football. He was a part of the 2010 National Championship team, which demanded most of his time. Whenever given the opportunity to hunt, he takes advantage of it.

“Hunting is something that if you’ve never done it you can’t really appreciate it,” Christopher said. “It is going in the woods, and experiencing nature, and being in a completely different environment that you don’t get to experience every single day.”

Christopher’s father, Dr. Reid Christopher, taught him everything he knows about hunting. He taught him the “tricks and the trades” of hunting. He taught him how to identify different trees, make his way through the woods, and identify different types of animals.

“I’m very thankful that I was exposed to hunting at an early age,” Christopher said. “It’s really shaped me into the person that I’ve become.”