Can you imagine a family that does everything together and actually enjoys it? The Holders, of Outdoor Channel’s "Raised Hunting," actually have this dream family. I caught up with them at this year’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and learned how they do it.
The family's patriarch, David Holder, explained how things are changing as the boys are getting older. The Holder family, he said, is expanding the places they go and people they see. "Raised Hunting," he continued, shares a family message...so they’ve been contacted to speak at churches and other charity events. At a wild-game feed they’ll be sharing what it’s like to be a part of a hunting family and what it’s like to be a mom raising boys in the outdoors.
Karen and David shared stories about their boys and how responsible they’ve become. The Holders feel it’s all the time they’ve spent in the woods with the boys that has taught them so much.
I inquired as to five things the Holders feel are most important to their family and others who wish to emulate them.
1. Nutrition
Karen said, “We try to eat healthily, and we eat what we kill.” Joked David, “Karen eats healthy.”
The rest of the family makes up for the occasional excess, the Holders said, by going to the gym. David shared that he used to be a lot heavier. After standing on a ridge, peering at elk, a mile away, he decided he needed to change some things.
2. Fitness
When the family isn’t hunting, they enjoy exercise, weightlifting, cardio and stretching. The boys participate in fitness exercises with their parents. As a matter of fact, David said, “Warren is actually out-benching me now.”
3. Being an Example
Not only have the Holder children learned a lot from their family hunts, but they’ve also learned by seeing what their parents do. David is a retired firefighter. His son Warren saw his passion for the career and is now following in his father’s footsteps.
4. Dedication
The family practices together, but also individually because their schedules don’t always align. It’s something they advocate, so they can be successful in their hunts. David and Karen lead the family by example, saying, “Most of the time one person picks up their bow and walks out to the range and then somebody else walks out and then someone else. Then we’re all out there as a family, practicing together.”
5. Giving Back
The Holders have raised their boys in the outdoors and want to share it with others. They’ve created a youth camp called "Raised at Full Draw." It’s a non-profit organization that takes boys and girls ages 12 to 18 camping for three nights and four days. They learn about fitness and exercise, what it means to become a good person, and skills for becoming a good hunter. Karen says, “It’s our way of reaching youth.”
The fact that the Holders have included their own family in the creation of "Raised Hunting" is just part of their philosophy that "Family is Number One." They relate that it's definitely had an impact on how close their entire family is. The family hunts, teaches and is reaching out to others together. As the boys get older, they’ve ventured out to conducting their own presentations and seminars.
For more information on the Holders' presentation schedule, bow camps and other events, visit their website at http://www.raisedhunting.com/. "Raised Hunting" will be returning to the Outdoor Channel this July. It's sponsored by Bear Archery, Scheels, Primos and Gold Tip.
