Kody (10) and Kasey Wenger (12), brothers, have enjoyed hunting since around third grade.

“Our dad has been our role model in all the aspects of hunting ever since we got our first BB guns and learned how to use them,” Kody said.

Sometimes Kody will shoot pigeons if he has an itch to get out and shoot in the offseason. He uses his 20 gauge Mossberg 500 gold trigger and Mossberg .22 rifle for his hunting.

“I also received a bow this fall for deer hunting, and I’m currently sighting it in and getting ready for next year,” Kody said.

During deer season, they both head to the timber around Delaware County or Cottonwood Lane near Ryan.

“I go to one end of the timber and (Kasey) goes to the opposite,” Kody said. “It’s more fun this way because we can cover a lot more land.”

Using this method, they have a better chance of finding and tracking the bucks. They team up to pinpoint the deer.

“It’s always fun hunting with him whenever I get a chance,” Kody said. “Together, we are like a dynamic duo.”

They both enjoy  the opportunity to hunt whenever they can.

“It feels good to be out in the nature,” Kasey said. “Your adrenaline is high when you’re waiting and see one come over the hill.”

“Whether it’s pigeons in the summer, deer in the fall, or squirrel, rabbit, and pheasant in the cold winter, I try and hunt as much as possible,” Kody said.

Some of Kody’s favorite memories come from hunting in a party during shotgun season. A couple years ago, his dad and a family friend, Shawn, decided to play a trick on Kasey. His dad hollered and shot into the ground about a deer coming towards Kasey.

“He’s coming right for you! Do not miss him! He’s huge!” Kody recalls his dad saying. “Kasey, of course, never saw the ‘huge buck’ and was very confused and mad that he let the deer get away.”

He was the laugh of the group for the rest of the day until someone let him in on the secret.

Bow hunting can be difficult, which makes each shot all the more exciting. Kasey feels there is  is “no better feeling” than seeing a deer drop.

“Last year, I had (a deer) come up, and I shot it with my bow. I made a good shot, so I was pretty pumped about it,” Kasey said. The deer never died, but he looks forward to hunting it again this year.

When Kody knows he just made a great shot, he feels shocked but thrilled at the same time.

“My heart feels like it’s about to explode, and my adrenaline is racing so much, that I can’t even hold my hand still because it’s shaking so badly,” Kody said. “I would never trade hunting for anything in the world.”