Celebrate National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month, which celebrates mentoring and the positive effect it can have on young lives. According to the National Mentoring Month website, the month focuses on how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure positive outcomes for our young people.

And there’s no one who knows and understands mentorship like the shooting sports and hunting communities.

It is with the help of past generations, whether grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles or friends—that pass down the love and passion for firearms and the hunting lifestyle—that we can continue to celebrate the age-old American traditions.

We want to hear your stories of someone who has mentored you, whether that was shooting your first gun or taking you on your first hunt… Or if you are a mentor and you have a story, we want to hear from you too! Share your stories with us in the comments below and @NRAblog on Twitter. 

To kick off the month, check out American Rifleman's 6 Tips for Mentoring New Hunters! And make plans to join us at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 2-10. It's the perfect place to introduce new sportsmen and women to everything that makes up the hunting, fishing and outdoors lifestyles!

Originally published January 6, 2016