By Francisco Fuentes
Growing up as an Army brat, my free time belonged to the woods. When I wasn’t playing sports, I was outside. I spent hours reading outdoor magazines, watching hunting shows, and camping out. At the time, I thought I was just playing. In reality, every hour spent in the trees was an investment in a passion that was quietly growing inside me.
Life eventually pulled me in a new direction. At 20 years old, I joined the Navy and was stationed on a submarine. Being out at sea for weeks and months at a time changes your perspective. Cut off from the natural world, you quickly realize what you miss the most.
My turning point came when we returned to port at the Charleston submarine base in South Carolina. Turkey season was open, and I hit the woods running. The moment my boots hit the dirt, everything clicked. All those childhood hours spent learning about wildlife and the outdoors weren’t just a pastime—they were my true passion.
From that point on, there was no turning back. I chose to dedicate my time to the outdoors, absorbing everything I could and honing my skills. Eventually, I realized that keeping this knowledge to myself wasn’t enough. I wanted to become a steward of the outdoors and teach anyone willing to learn.
This desire to give back led me to the Fall Line Outdoors Chapter. Affiliated with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF), this group of fantastic volunteers dedicates their time to teaching adults everything they need to know about deer, turkey, and duck hunting, as well as fresh and saltwater fishing to be an all around outdoors person. Joining them allowed me to pass the torch. By mentoring others, I found the best way to use my time: turning my own experience in time, into a passion, that helps new outdoorsmen and women get started.
About the Author
Francisco Fuentes is a 20-year Navy veteran and lifelong outdoorsman. After two decades of service, including time aboard submarines, he returned to his roots in the woods and now dedicates his spare time to mentoring new hunters and anglers with the Fall Line Outdoors Chapter (FLOC).
