Following golden rule earns hunter award
Hank Xiong did it because it was right, because it was the way his father taught him to live.
He didn't do it to make headlines or win an award.
But his actions six months ago have done both.
You might remember our article last fall about Xiong, the 29-year-old Oshkosh man who found a crossbow while hunting Nov. 4 at White River Marsh State Wildlife Area near Berlin.
Xiong went the extra mile – literally and figuratively – to find the bow's rightful owner and return it to him.
It was a demonstration of the golden rule I thought worthy of coverage for multiple reasons. I also thought it merited consideration for an annual state recognition of exemplary hunter behavior so, without Xiong's knowledge, I submitted an application. Judges for the award agreed. Last month Xiong was announced as winner of the 2019 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Ethical Hunter Award.
Established in 1997, the Hunter Ethics Award recognizes a hunter whose action is symbolic of Wisconsin's hunting heritage, one not focused on trophies taken but on an outdoor tradition enjoyed responsibly, respectfully, and safely by and for all, according to the DNR.
“Hank is the epitome of the award's intent, going well beyond what he did for another hunter,” said Bob Lamb, retired outdoors writer for the La Crosse Tribune and one of the founders of the award.
In addition to Lamb, the annual honor was established by Steve Dewald, retired DNR conservation warden supervisor, and Jerry Davis, retired UW-La Crosse biology professor and outdoors writer.
A four-person committee studies the nominations and selects the person judged most deserving.
Xiong is modest and didn't seek the recognition. But sometimes a person's actions vault him into the spotlight.
To recap, Xiong was hunting last November on the public property when, after dark and ready to leave for home, he discovered a crossbow on the ground at a parking lot.
With the rut in full swing, Xiong knew whoever lost it would be deeply concerned about its whereabouts.
"It was no time to lose your bow," said Xiong, an avid hunter.
Xiong's empathy was heightened his own experience. Years earlier, Xiong's bow was stolen out of the back of his father's truck.
“That was devastating for me,” Xiong said. “I had saved and saved for that bow, and then it was gone. I guess I had a sense for what whoever lost their bow was going through.”
He also was driven by life lessons his father – who immigrated to the U.S. from Laos – had taught him.
"My dad taught me to treat others like I want to be treated," Xiong said. "That's simple, that's what we do."
The crossbow did not have any name or other identification on it, but Xiong had an idea it might belong to the middle-aged hunter who had been parked in the spot earlier.
Xiong and the man had talked for a few minutes and done as considerate hunters do on public property – they discussed where each planned to hunt to help avoid spoiling the other's experience.
But it was the first time they had met and Xiong didn't know the man's name.
Xiong stayed at the public property for another hour and then called the sheriff 's office to report the lost bow and ask what they recommended. The authorities said he could keep it for a few days as he was searching for its owner.
With the night wearing on, Xiong decided to take it home. But he didn't just hold onto it. He reached out on social media, posting the lost bow on several Facebook pages popular with hunters.
And the next day he drove back to White River Marsh, about 30 miles from his house.
That return trip resulted in a connection with the bow's owner, Jim Bonney, 58, of Franklin.
In the parking lot he found the bow, a middle-aged white man – the same one Xiong had talked to the previous day – emerged from a pick-up.
"I was so happy to see him," Xiong said. "I really thought it was his." Bonney was arguably even happier. "I really wasn't looking forward to buying a new one," Bonney said. "I went from the low of thinking it was gone to a high of having Hank hand it back to me."
Bonney doesn't use Facebook so he didn't see Xiong's posts. But he figured the best chance to get it back was to return to the last place he remembered having it.
The social media response to the story was overwhelmingly positive.
Posting on the Wisconsin Rut Report Facebook page, John Schoerner wrote: "Great to see that there is some honest people out there yet, great Brotherhood and sportsmanship!!"
Eric Schickowski wrote: "Good for you Hank! Have faith in humanity."
Ryan Strommen wrote: "Way to represent the true sportsman out there"
Shane Koger wrote: "This should be how America runs! Look out and help everyone! Awesome job maybe more will take note of what you did!!"
DNR Chief Warden Casey Krueger said ethical behavior demonstrates the moral character of the hunting public and illustrates how people can assist one another while recreating together in the outdoors.
Dewald, the retired DNR warden who co-founded the award, commended Xiong for his actions.
“Hank demonstrated behavior that reflects positively on the tradition of hunting in Wisconsin,” Dewald said. “His concern for another hunter losing equipment was very admirable.”
Anyone can nominate a licensed Wisconsin hunter for the DNR Ethical Hunter Award.
Nominations for the 2020 award are due Jan. 15, 2021 and can be sent to any committee member, or any Wisconsin DNR field warden.
Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, Xiong will be presented the award at a ceremony yet to be scheduled.
He will receive the honor from DNR Bureau of Law Enforcement Capt. April Dombrowski, who leads the bureau's recreational safety and outdoor skills section, and Shamus Terry of Vortex Optics, an international manufacturer of rifle scopes, binoculars and ranger finders based in Barneveld.
Great job, Hank. I know you didn't ask for it, but I couldn't be happier your exemplary actions earned you this recognition.