11-12-2023 Harford Mag - Flipbook - Page 47
those hunts,” said Hutchins, 36, a surgical nurse at
University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
in Towson. Now, she shares those skills with her
son, on those frigid mornings that bring them closer
together.
“I watch Troy [in the woods] and he reminds me
a lot of my dad. He’s very patient and doesn’t get
rattled,” Hutchins said. “More often than not, on a
hunt, you don’t shoot anything. Just being out there,
taking it all in and spending time together is more
important than whether or not you bring something
home.”
’I’d rather be out in the woods’
The mounted head of a 7-point buck hangs on
the wall of Ben Troyer’s bedroom in Pylesville, a
keepsake from a hunt with his father. When friends
drop by, Ben shows it off, he said, “because [the
deer] is mine and not my dad’s. That makes me
proud.”
Clearly, the 12-year-old is hooked on the chase.
Ben hasn’t got a cellphone and he doesn’t play video
games.
“I’d rather be out in the woods,” he said
Ben is one of three kids in the family who hunt
Listening to instructions from their
guide are, from left, Jodi Troyer, her
daughter Julie, 9, Troy Hutchins,
Mason Hall, 12 and Chrissy Hutchins.
PHOTOS BY KEVIN RICHARDSON
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