Editor’s Note: This is the fourth and final story in a series about youth who enjoy the sport of hunting.
They say the family that prays together stays together, but what about the family that hunts together? For the Rapkoch family of Britton, this tradition has brought them closer than ever. Despite their young ages, the children of Victor and Mary Rapkoch have embraced a shared passion for hunting. With six of the seven kids (the youngest still too small to join) already racking up memorable adventures, the family looks forward to creating many more hunting stories together in the years to come.
For the Rapkoch children, hunting is more than just a pastime—it’s a cherished family tradition. Their father, Victor, grew up in Montana, where he developed a love for the sport, while their mother, Mary, comes from a family of waterfowl hunters in Morris, Minnesota. Together, they’ve passed this shared passion down to their children, who have embraced it wholeheartedly.
The Rapkoch kids have been involved in hunting for years, starting with simple outings to observe and help. Nine-year-old Tina recalls joining her dad in the field, watching him hunt and assisting by retrieving ducks on good days. They also hone their skills with BB guns, progressing to actual hunting as they grow more confident.
Rosalyn, the oldest at 11, began hunting at just five years old. Along with her siblings, she’s hunted ducks, geese, turkeys, and deer on both public and private land near their home. Her most exciting experience came this past October, during a mule deer hunting trip in Montana—her dad’s old stomping grounds.
“We had to keep driving to different spots,” Rosalyn recounted. “We saw two deer in a field and ran a mile to chase them.” Eventually, they reached a creek bed and came upon a large herd. Despite the excitement, Rosalyn waited patiently for the right moment and successfully took down an impressive mule buck.
Seven-year-old Becket harvested a nice doe locally just a few weeks back. “I was in the tower and dad saw a doe,” he tells. It eventually got foggy and the deer bedded down. Becket described how he waited a whole hour for the deer to make a move. “Dad said to wait until it took two more steps. One. Two. POW!” He next tracked the animal with so much concentration that he almost stepped right on it.
Even two-year-old Xavier got a taste of hunting this fall. Victor explained the approach to taking a toddler along: “We wait for a warm day and go out in the afternoon. I usually take the little one with a few of the older kids, and we only stay out an hour or two. It’s a great way for them to see the process.” Five-year-old Zelie and four-year-old Siena have also enjoyed getting out hunting.
The Rapkoch family takes pride in making the most of their harvests, transforming their wild game into delicious meals. Rosalyn’s favorite dish is deer backstraps, but she’s also a fan of goose pastrami.
When asked what they would say to encourage other kids to try hunting, Tina shared, “It’s really not scary to shoot a gun. If you practice, you get used to it.” Rosalyn chimed in, adding, “And if you hit something, it’s all worth it!”
Victor acknowledges that taking kids hunting is a lot of work, but he believes it’s a worthwhile endeavor, especially for young people. “Hunting teaches kids so many life skills, like being patient and sitting still without entertainment. They also learn how to adapt to different outdoor environments,” he explained.
Beyond hunting, the Rapkoch children are involved in Marshall County 4-H Shooting Sports. They participate in BB gun competitions, and recently, Rosalyn and Tina have ventured into trap shooting. Both girls have excelled, earning spots on award-winning teams.
Looking ahead, Victor and the kids have ambitious goals for future hunts. Victor hopes to plan larger trips for elk and other big game as the kids get older. Becket agrees, adding that shooting a moose would be a dream come true. Meanwhile, the girls are focused on bagging bigger and better deer in the coming years, though they agreed that landing a banded duck would be an exciting accomplishment.
“Marshall County is a great place for kids to learn to hunt,” Victor said. “I’m always grateful to the landowners who let us hunt on their property. It gives the kids a fun experience and a chance to grow their love for the outdoors.”
