Sport runs in family
Fenelton — Atop a windblown hill on his family's farm, 11-year-old Justin Kabay stands out against stormy skies in his camouflage hunting garb.
Justin is the younger son of John Jr. and Denise Kabay.
Like his father and grandfather, Justin is accustomed to waking up before dawn to track a deer or sitting quietly on the ground, listening for the scratch of a turkey passing by.
“And if we don't hear something for a while, then we'll walk until we hear something,” Justin said.
The Clearfield Elementary sixth-grader, who also plays football and wrestles, began hunting when he was 7 through the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Mentored Youth Hunting Program. Justin said it took patience and dedication to achieve his first big shot.
“My dad hunted, so he took me out and I've just been hunting ever since,” Justin said. “It wasn't until like the third year that I started hunting (that) I got a turkey. Then two years after that I got my first buck. It was pretty exciting.”
His weapon of choice is a crossbow, which he uses to hunt deer. So far, Justin has harvested three deer this way. For turkeys, he said he prefers a 20-gauge shotgun.
Justin's grandfather, John T. Kabay of Chicora, said Justin shot a 6-point, 145-pound buck on Oct. 24, 2013, while hunting with his father. Justin shot another buck — an 8-point — on his family's property earlier this year.
Kabay Sr. said Justin learned his appreciation for hunting by accompanying his father and grandfather on trips to their camp in Marienville.
“So it's in the family,” Kabay Sr. said. “He just loves the outdoors, that's for sure, and we promote it.”
Justin said weekend trips to Marienville with his family are his favorite part of hunting. His cousins, uncle and grandfather often join them on those trips.
He said his biggest challenge is waiting for an animal to cross his path.“Sometimes you won't see anything the whole day,” Justin said.When they're not at camp, John Jr. said he and Justin hunt in West Winfield or on their two acres in Fenelton.“We're very fortunate,” John Jr. said. “It's nice here. Kind of quiet. The first deer we ever got was here. We have a ladder stand down in the woods for the kids.”John Jr. said he began hunting with his father when he was 12 years old. Although he doesn't shoot anymore, he enjoys taking his son and nephews out.Because Justin already shot a buck this year, the Kabays aren't hunting today, but Justin said he plans to go out for a doe when they're in season. Justin turns 12 this week, so he'll have his junior license then.John Sr. said he's proud his grandson is continuing the family tradition because fewer young people hunt today than in previous generations.Justin said he's proud of the challenge hunting presents and what he's accomplished so far.
