by Laura Tingo
When Nick McWhorter was growing up in Rush, Kentucky, his family never had much money.
“But we did have some fishing poles and deer rifle,” McWhorter said.
For McWhorter, now a member of Boilermakers Local 105, those gave way to a love of the outdoors that’s as strong as his love for his craft, both of which are strongly woven in his family.
“There’s more to hunting and fishing than filling up your freezer with meat,” he said. “It’s about spending the best of times with family. I hope to pass it on to my kids and that they enjoy it as much as I have.”
McWhorter grew up playing in the woods with his brother and catching fish at a farm pond on hot summer days. He got his first deer while sitting on his dad’s lap and an 8-point while hunting with his grandpa.
Last year, McWhorter hunted for 43 days and harvested a 10 point at 42 yards. It was his dad who helped him track the deer. “You talk about rewarding! My first buck with a bow, and now I’m hooked,” he said.
When USA’s Brotherhood Outdoors crew learned of McWhorter’s commitment to his family, union and passing on his outdoor heritage, they invited him on an Alabama whitetail hunt.
“To say I was ecstatic when I got the call would be an understatement,” said McWhorter. “I had always dreamed of being on a hunting show.”
Arriving in Alabama for an early season deer hunt, Brotherhood Outdoors co-host Daniel Lee Martin knew it would be a challenging hunt.
“We were fired up for the first morning,” he said. “A cold morning means the big bucks will be out.”
The deer, however, had other plans. Days into the hunt, battling hard rain and bitter cold, McWhorter and the Brotherhood Outdoors crew didn’t spot a quality deer to zero in on.
“We gave it all we had. That’s how it goes. That’s hunting,” McWhorter said.
Heading home, Martin and co-host Julie McQueen got an idea and quickly pulled together a redemption hunt for McWhorter in the form of giant Tennessee hogs.
A couple months later, McWhorter, his wife Sabrina, and his bow made the drive from Kentucky to meet Martin and McQueen at Wilderness Hunting Lodge in Tennessee’s Cumberland Mountains.
On their very first morning, wildlife surrounded their cabin, providing great photo opportunities for Sabrina and adding excitement for the crew as they headed out. It wasn’t long before they saw pigs on the move.
McWhorter, who had never seen a wild hog before, was amazed by their size, which only grew as he slowly inched his way into bow range.
When a huge boar steps into the open at 32 yards out, will McWhorter’s arrow hit the mark?
Tune in to Brotherhood Outdoors on Sundays at 11 a.m. ET on the Sportsman Channel.
