This week we are talking to Garett Gabriel, owner of the "Kansas Buckmaster" outdoor show and Web site www.kansasbuckmaster.com. Garett has pursued the North American whitetail for 33 years; it is his love and passion. He is also an outdoor writer; photographer and videographer for his upcoming show on www.MyOutdoorTV.com. Next year, I will be visiting Garett in Kansas on my whitetail hunt.

DL: What got you into hunting and at what age did you start?

GG: My father. … watching my dad and two brothers get up and go out into the "great unknown" waiting and wondering what stories they would have to tell, and wondering what they would come home with. I was 9 when my father started taking me and breaking me in.

DL: Tell us a bit about "The Kansas Buckmaster" and what is coming up.

GG: Dave, I started the "Kansas Buckmaster" in 2006. It was developed for all Kansas hunters that are in pursuit of the elusive and legendary whitetails in this area. Everybody is a "buckmaster" and I want everyone to share their stories and photos like the ones that were shared with me when I was growing up. I hope to keep the spirit alive and keep youth hunters involved in the sport. This year we have five prostaff that are itching to get on a stand and get some great footage for the whole family to enjoy. Two prostaff have already filled their tags in western Kansas, and a whole slew of guest hunters here in Kansas are eager to share their experiences hunting turkey, whitetails, mule deer and antelope here in the great state of Kansas!

DL: Garett, what kind of game animals do you hunt?

First and foremost whitetails! But I love just being outdoors. …. turkey, pheasant, mule deer are also on my list. I hunted black bear but gave that up in the '90s and focused on whitetails.

DL: If you could give young hunters a few words of advise what would they be?

GG: Stick to tradition. Enjoy the times you have with family and friends. Spending time with your father, mother or grandparents outdoors can never be replaced. So enjoy it and pass it on! Sportsmanship and safety are very high on my list of ethics. Always ask permission to hunt or fish land you are unfamiliar with (never trespass). Never take a bad shot or an unsafe shot at any game. Hunt during legal dates and hours for your given season (never poach any animal). Have respect for fellow sportsman, the land and the animal you are hunting. Never waste game, don't litter and most of all, have fun. Remember to pass on the tradition to a child and keep our sport alive and well.

Every week we are going to interview sportsmen from across the country and also locally. If you know a special sportsman who you would like to see interviewed send an e-mail to: Outdoor Editor Dave Langston at WesternStatesSportsman@msn.com.