What is Hunting?
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A lot has been written about hunting. The history of hunting, the psychological underpinnings, the practical need for hunting to feed families and eventually the reduction of the need for hunting with modern agriculture and food distribution. Because we now grow our own food and keep animals, hunting has become a specialized task and recreational sport.
Hunting to this writer was a right of passage and an activity that forever bonded me to my Grandfather who taught me to be a good hunter. It didn’t matter if we came home empty handed. The success of the hunt was not measured by the game bagged, but instead by the time we spent quietly walking through the woods or hours spent in one position waiting for game to pass by. It was the conversations about the care of weapons, the actual time spent cleaning and oiling guns and the enjoyment of spending time in the outdoors together. This is what makes hunting important for son’s and daughters, and their parents and grandparents.
One thing my Grandfather taught me is to be kind to the environment.
A few safety tips
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for bad weather and leave tree stands at the first signs of high winds to avoid injuring yourself and the tree. Keep your eyes and ears open for flash floods. Dress appropriately for the predicted weather in your area. Dressing in layers is helpful. Donít forget your safety orange clothing to alert other hunters in our area of your presence.
Be on the lookout for stow-aways in your bedding or gear like snakes, scorpions, or spiders. Shake out all bedding and clothing, including your boots, before putting them on or packing them away for the day. You wouldnít want to pack an unwanted visitor and bring him home with you.
Bears, badgers, or other aggressive animals may be encountered when hunting. Keep your eyes open and attempt to avoid any confrontations with any animal that you are not stalking. Keep in mind that this is the animalís home and you are the guest. Try to back quietly away from an animal without disturbing it. If an animal attacks you, cover your head with your arms and roll into a tight ball to protect your head and torso from injury.
Teach your children to respect nature and the environment when hunting together. The best way to teach is by modeling respectful behavior while showing your children the basics of successful hunting. This ensures that the joys of hunting can continue for generations to come.