3 generations of hunters enjoy harvest
JEFFERSON TWP — For 33 years, the Caldwell family has hunted together.
This year will be the one that stands out.
“We've got three generations hunting deer now and all of us got a buck this season,” Albert Caldwell, 70, of Jefferson Township said. “That's never happened before.”
Caldwell, his sons Albert Jr., Matt and Bill, and grandson Albert III meet at a camp in Crawford County to hunt deer each year.
“It's a special time because it's one of few occasions we all see each other,” said Caldwell Jr., 44, who now lives in Erie.
The eldest Caldwell bagged a 7-point buck while Caldwell Jr. got a 9-point. Matt Caldwell bagged a 9-point and Albert III got a 5-point.
“We've been going out to Crawford County for about 12 years now,” Caldwell said. “Hunting is a tradition in our family that started with me.
“My father passed away when I was 5. I've been hunting since I was 12 and my sons have always been into it.”Caldwell Jr. has bagged a bear in Canada before and Bill Caldwell has taken an elk in Wyoming.The idea of all three generations getting a buck during the same season began last year when Albert III, now 11, got his first buck.Matt Caldwell, 29, bagged his first buck this year.“This is very exciting to me,” Albert Caldwell said. “I've been at this for 58 years and have gotten maybe 25 bucks. I still do my share of walking through the woods.“Albie (III) and I got our bucks on the same day, the first Saturday of gun season. That was a lot of fun.”Caldwell Jr. bagged his buck during archery season and Matt Caldwell got his on the first day of gun season.<br></br><br></br><br></br>
Caldwell Jr. has served in the military and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008 and 2011.“My dad took Albie hunting last year,” Caldwell Jr. said. “I got home from Afghanistan in time to join them for the last day of buck season and was able to see him get his first buck.“Other than military obligations, I've hunted with my father every year since I was 11. I remember going out with a bee-bee gun that first year.”<br></br><br></br>
