When a
hunter thinks of logging, he hears the thunder of a ruffed grouse's
wings as it springs from the edge of a logging road. He relives
scoping distant clear cuts for whitetails as the dimmest rays of new
sunlight brighten a morning. He envisions the creation of new edge
habitat and the growth of young plants adding variety to the forest.
He imagines the development of new trees and the revitalization of
the area.
How
wonderful to be a hunter.
When you
think of meat, do you think of grocery stores or butcher shops? Do
think of price per pound or ease of preparation? Do you worry about
calories or cholesterol? Do you consider its origin?
When a
hunter thinks of meat, he thinks of success after a hunt. He thinks
of the work and skills learned in making the hunt successful. He
thinks of making jerky and trading recipes with other hunters. He
understands the cycle of nature and he respects the wildlife taken
by making the most out of its meat and its memory.
How
wonderful to be a hunter.
When you
think of winter, do you think of icy roads and traffic accidents? Do
you think of scraping frosted windshields or nagging coughs and sore
throats? Do you think of frozen pipes and frozen fingers? Do you
fear winter travel and long for summer vacations?
When a
hunter thinks of winter, he thinks of mallards with set wings
dropping out of the dense fog. He recalls the sound of Canada geese
honking high overhead as they fly south. He sees the cold breath of
coyotes as they howl together before heading out for the hunt. He
marvels at the hardiness of wildlife and longs to follow their
example.
How
wonderful to be a hunter.
When you
think of wildlife, do you think of pictures on calendars and
postcards, or Sunday afternoon television and animated characters?
Do you think of helpless creatures, unable to defend themselves
against the rifle or the bulldozer? Do you feel separate from nature
and feel guilt at upsetting its balance?
When a
hunter thinks of wildlife, he remembers being seventy-five yards
from three mule deer bucks as they lay bedded in the sagebrush. He
thinks of watching fox pups as they play near the opening of a den
where their mother keeps close watch. He thinks of the speed of an
antelope, the wariness of a goose, the adaptability of a coyote, or
the power of a grizzly. He envisions an ever changing natural world,
and excites at the chance to play a part.
How
wonderful to be a hunter.
When you
think of hunting, do you think of taking and wasting, of
recklessness and abandon? Do you think of opportunistic killing and
thoughtless behavior? Do you take the time to see the skill it
requires or understand the laws and the strategies behind them?
Do you
misunderstand, fear, or despise?
As a hunter,
I think of responsibility and respect. I think of knowledge and of
ethics. I think of a lifestyle commitment, not of a hobby or sport.
I rise for the challenge, thrill for the opportunity, and give
thanks for the outcome. I learn from the past, strive in the
present, and teach for the future.
I am a
hunter.
How
wonderful to be a hunter.
Indeed, how
wonderful to be hunter.