How We Experience Hunting Evolves With Age
Today is my birthday and I’ve been doing thinking on a lot of things. One of those has been the way we experience hunting seems to change with age. I know I’ve heard the idea of this from others, but thinking about it today, I realize just how true it is.
I remember how, when I was younger, the success of a hunt was determined by whether or not I took home game at the end of the day. I think that’s the case with many young people when they first go afield. At that age we are way too focused on the destination to enjoy the journey.
I don’t know exactly when it changed for me, but I do know that it did. Somewhere along the way, I did start enjoying the overall experience of hunting as much as downing an animal. And a little further along, some of my most memorable hunts were ones that I never even raised my weapon to take a shot.
Age has taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things. Things like the peacefulness of the woods before the sunrise, how they come to life with the sounds of all the animals as they rise to begin the day, and the things you see when you watch the animals go about their daily routines. These small things are components of life that are wondrous to watch and take too long for many of us to realize their true grandeur.
Who says that aging has to be a bad thing when you look at it that way?
(Picture taken by my wife.)
hunting, aging, experiences, views, success
February 17th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
my kids are just at the age to really start getting into hunting and I have felt rejuvenated. Another good reason that I have enjoyed blogging about deer.