When I was teenager, my father would hunt deer and bear with his friends and often asked me if I was interested in going. I wasn’t. This disinterest lasted until a few years ago when someone that I regularly shot guns with invited me to go pheasant hunting with him and a group of other hunters. That’s when my life changed.
That pheasant hunt transformed my opinion of hunting and exposed me to several of the wonderful experiences that the sport can offer. Some of these experiences included the excitement and anticipation of harvesting an animal, experiencing the beauty of the outdoors, and the joy derived from sharing the hunt with others and talking about it afterwards at a restaurant, bar, or around a campfire. Sadly, I wish this revelation came to me much earlier, and that I could have shared the joy of hunting with my father and his friends. I guess that’s how life goes sometimes. In any event, I’m a proud hunter now and wish to share with you my reasons for loving the sport.
Reason 1: Game Meat
Put directly, I love to eat. So, I enjoy gourmet cooking. Game meat can be used to create thoroughly delicious meals such as our recipe for pheasant gnocchi soup. Those that have not tasted venison, pheasant, wild turkey, or rabbit have no idea what they are missing. Therefore, I enjoy preparing meals for family and friends who have never eaten game meat. And while mostly apprehensive, many of them typically say, “Hey, this is pretty good,” which always puts a smile on my face. If you’re looking for a tasty game-meat meal to try that is sure to please, I recommend cooking our Campfire Chili over an open fire using a Lodge Dutch Oven.
Reason 2: Solitude
I don’t know about you, but I often feel overloaded by the stress of daily life. News. Politics. Advertisements. Work and home responsibilities. Technology. And more. I need an escape from the “noise,” and hunting provides the solitude I seek. There is nothing better than sitting alone on the field edge before sunrise watching the world come alive.
I especially love this during a spring turkey hunt. The air is crisp and filled with the smell of pollen. As the sun peers over the horizon, turkey and other birds begin their morning conversations, while squirrels and rabbits start scampering about. I once had a squirrel perch on my boot. Add a cup of hot coffee from my Thermos and I have a perfect start to a day. My mind begins to quiet down, and the stress vanishes. It also helps to be sitting in my comfortable Woodlands Camo Hunting Chair from Browning rather than on the hard ground.
Now, like any hunter, I want to have a successful hunt. Yet, if it doesn’t happen, I’m still thankful for the opportunity to be in the field enjoying nature and having escaped the “noise.” A few hunters have ridiculed me for thinking this way. I feel sad for them. By focusing on the kill, or lack thereof, they’re missing the connection with nature and an opportunity to chill-out.
Reason 3: Scenery
Much of what brings me solitude is the scenery. Often, I feel so fortunate to witness sites that most people miss. Once while sitting in my ladder stand on a sunny fall day, the wind blew so many leaves off the surrounding trees that it appeared as if it was snowing heavily. On another occasion, I watched from my hunting blind while two rabbits chased and leap-frogged each other. From the forest floor, I’ve seen grow a single pitcher plant which is carnivorous, surviving by digesting insects inside its “pitcher” leaf. And I’ve had several squirrels come close enough to touch.
For an up-close look at nature and to spot potential game, be sure to bring along a pair of Bushnell Trophy or Vortex Optics Crossfire HD binoculars. Nature is amazing, and being a hunter embeds you within it.
Reason 4: Fellowship
Whether it’s lunch after a pheasant hunt, beers back at deer camp, or simply chatting on the phone, there’s no denying that sharing one’s hunting stories is part of the fun. For me, listening to another hunter discuss their experiences makes me excited to hunt; and it provides me an opportunity to ask questions and learn. I particularly like seeing their pictures from the hunt. So, with that in mind, please consider emailing us one of your favorite hunting pics, and we might post it on our website.
Supposedly the number of hunters in the United States is declining. Personally, I believe one way to encourage others to take up hunting is by sharing our stories and excitement for the sport whenever possible. Your words might encourage the next generation of hunting. Lear how to hunt by watching our videos.