Holiday Traditions

Hunting has a way of weaving itself into the fabric of our lives, and for many of us, the holidays bring even greater meaning to the time spent in the field. From Thanksgiving deer hunts to Christmas Eve duck blinds, holiday hunting traditions offer a unique chance to reflect on the past, connect with loved ones, and create new memories for the future.

Family First: Hunts that Bring Us Together

For Payden, the holidays are all about family at the Morgan Land in Lipan. Each year, they wake up early for a morning hunt, then gather with the kids to cut down a cedar tree, which they decorate as their family Christmas tree. It’s a tradition that blends the wild beauty of the outdoors with the warmth of a shared celebration.

Tye and Dalton both look forward to Christmas Eve morning duck hunts, a tradition now shared with family, friends, and even the next generation. For Tye, it’s all about making memories with his son, followed by pancakes at the café—a perfect way to cap off a holiday morning. Dalton recalls his childhood, spending Thanksgiving weekends at the deer lease with his Papaw, and now cherishes the camaraderie of Christmas hunts with the team.

Thanksgiving Memories: The Start of the Season

Thanksgiving has long held a special place in Brady and Dakota’s hearts. Both remember leaving after dinner, leftovers in tow, to spend the rest of the weekend hunting. Dakota fondly recalls this being one of the few consistent times each year to hunt with his dad, enjoying the crisp fall weather and the steady rhythm of success in the field. Brady echoes this, describing Thanksgiving weekend as his favorite time to hunt, mixing the best of family traditions, football, and time in the woods.

Dreaming of New Traditions

For Todd, the holidays are about looking forward to what could be. Though he hasn’t yet set up a permanent holiday hunting tradition, he envisions a future filled with deer, dove, and quail hunts alongside friends at his place in Vernon. It’s a dream that resonates with those who find themselves far from family or surrounded by non-hunters, showing how hunting can bring friends together to build traditions of their own.

A Tradition for Everyone

Whether it’s cutting down trees, smashing pancakes, or savoring Thanksgiving leftovers in the field, holiday hunting traditions come in many forms. They remind us why we hunt—not just for the thrill of the pursuit, but for the people we share it with and the memories we carry forward.

As the holiday season continues, take a moment to think about your own hunting traditions. Whether they’re well-established or just starting out, they have the power to turn an ordinary day in the field into something extraordinary.