October 16,2025
What is it about the great outdoors that calls to us? Well to be honest I still haven't figured it out. It's one of those things that you can be cold wet and hungry but the smile on your face, is bigger than if you were warm, dry, and fed. It's a different calling and passion for everyone. One thing I think we can agree on is the respect, love, and morals the outdoors will teach if you're willing to put your phone down, leave the comfort of your civilized life, and learn.
What people misunderstand about true hunters is their respect for the outdoors. Most who haven't experienced this lifestyle think the only goal is to harvest an animal. As that's the goal it's not the full intention, nor what happens nine times out of ten. There is just a special love for the days you walk out empty handed but, leave with a full heart for what you experienced, things you saw, and the presence of God shown to you.
One of the most forgotten things is humans are simply a different species of animal. No bigger than a mouse no greater than a grizzly, just an animal trying to survive. I've learned the most about humans from sitting on a ridge, watching a group of deer or elk interact with each other and other wildlife. How they create balance, the way they correct one another, how the move forward even when they don't know what the unforgiving terrain has in store ahead. They face new challenges everyday each greater than the one before but it's just another day for them. We can all learn a little bit from these creatures and how we navigate ourselves through our own challenges we face. Realizing life is about the choices you make, and how far you will push yourself over the next ridge.
The passion for the outdoors is one that looks different for everyone. It's a different feeling, different love, and a different experience. Whatever way you experience it, remember to slow down and take it in because for once you're the stranger here.
