Passing It On: Aaron Funk

By Aaron Funk

Where to begin? I was born and raised in southwest Missouri, and I’ve been passionate about the outdoors for as long as I can remember. I started hunting at the age of 13, and that same year, I harvested my first deer and turkey.

What really sparked my lifelong obsession, though, was archery hunting. It took me two years to harvest my first deer with a bow, and I was hooked from that moment on.

Coming from a non-hunting family, I had to teach myself everything I know. I learned by reading hunting magazines and watching old VHS tapes and DVDs. That’s where it all began, my self-guided journey into the hunting world. In the early years, I was happy to harvest one deer a year, then I worked my way up to two per season.

Now, at 31 years old and with two kids of my own, my focus has shifted. I’m passionate about passing down everything I’ve learned so that my children can one day teach their own kids. These days, instead of chasing the biggest buck I can find, I focus on setting up opportunities for my kids - prepping spots, getting them ready, and doing everything I can to give them a chance to succeed in the field.

For me, it’s not just about the harvest anymore. It’s about creating memories, teaching values, and preserving the tradition of hunting for the next generation.