As Joel Torrence was growing up on the family farm outside of Aberdeen, South Dakota, he was exposed to the hard work on the family's agricultural holdings and enjoyed the ample hunting opportunities the farmland provides. He began carrying a gun when 12 years old and spent his free time hunting the abundant rabbits and pheasants that lived along the farmland fringe. It wasn't long, however, before the exuberance of youth discovered scouting, which is usually a seasonal adult game, and it became an important part of his year round, daily agenda.