Welcome to 1st Light Hunting Journal. My name is Jerald Kopp and I’m founder and managing editor. First off, thanks so much for visiting and checking out our content. On this page, you’ll find out everything you need to know about our blog, as well as what’s important to us. I’ve been a hunter and outdoorsman for nearly 50-years with whitetails and deer hunting being by far my greatest passion. I’ve accumulated a lot of knowledge, but don’t pretend to be an expert. Along with my successes have come a few follies as well. The fact is, I continue to learn every time I go afield; my hope is that you will learn along with us. My goal is to provide you with real hunting tips, tactics, and lifestyle content that can help you to be successful and embrace hunting and the outdoors the way we do.

Hunting is my main interest, but a close second is writing about it. In addition to 1st Light Hunting Journal, I’ve provided written content for other outdoor publications and companies, including Buckmasters and Final Descent Outdoors. I am also currently the hunting writer and editor for International Sportsman. I hope you enjoy my content as well as that of our other contributing writers and guests.

Once again, thank you. I hope you visit us often.          -Jerald

More About 1st Light Hunting Journal

We hunt. We fish. we love the outdoors – it’s true. However, we really love studying and pursuing whitetail deer. After all, for most of us, deer hunting represents our outdoor roots.1st Light Hunting Journal is a hunting and outdoor site providing hunting strategies, stories, news, and gear. Our blog will feature interviews with experts from the outdoor industry, as well as everyday enthusiasts. We also aim to highlight the lighter side of the hunting and the outdoor lifestyle – the nuances that make it fun, memorable and part of our DNA.

We the outdoor triumphs of the everyday hunting enthusiast – men, women, children, the disabled; you name it. We’ve found that there is a wealth of knowledge coming from those that simply love the sport and log many hours in the field before, during and after the season. Also highlighted are the many other casts of characters that are an important part of the hunting and outdoor experience; taxidermists, chefs/cooks, authors and speakers, photographers, writers, biologists, guides, entrepreneurs ….the list is endless.

Faith and Community

Outdoor adventure under the SON.

The backdrop to our content is God’s grace, salvation and incredible outdoors. His creation provides us with the awesome opportunity and privilege to be in touch with not only Him, but the animals and scenery that encompass the earth. God created people to be in authentic community (Ecclesiastes 4:9). As a loyal community, 1st Light encourages engagement, welcoming written and visual contributions from our users.

1st Light Hunting Journal is steeped in the hunting and outdoor tradition – and we celebrate our hunting pursuits and seek to share them with others. Further, we are all about conservation and furthering our hunting and outdoor heritage.