Hunting
Hunting. What a controversial topic. While our history as a species finds its foundations with hunting, somehow it is frowned upon by many in current times. I think for the most part it's by animal loving humans who can’t imagine killing a “helpless animal”. I get it. I love animals as much as anyone….probably more than most.
This past weekend my family finished up the last of an elk I was fortunate enough to take last September. It was an emotional time. The boys and I started with the heart last September and we ended with some backstrap over the weekend. This majestic animal fed my family and many friends for over a year and we are forever grateful! Words cannot begin to describe…but I’ll give it a try.
First off, let me address the actual act of killing. It isn’t fun….period. It also never gets easier. It doesn’t matter if it's a duck or an elk or anything in between….its incredibly hard and I don’t ever take it lightly. That said, I’d rather it be me than someone else doing it for me. My goal is always to make the process as quick and painless as possible. I would hope the large processing companies who provide meat to the masses have this same mindset but honestly, I don’t know.
Over the past couple of years I’ve become more conscious of what I put into my body. Don’t get me wrong, I still eat like crap sometimes but I’m on a good path. It’s certainly easier when you have a freezer full of delicious and nutrient dense meat. You can literally feel the difference in energy when you eat wild game versus grocery store proteins. I’m not the most spiritual person but it’s almost as if the animals raw energy is transferred to you.
For those that have never hunted, you may think it’s disgusting, barbaric and/or inhumane. For those who have….you get it. Again, it’s hard to describe in words but its a relationship. Perhaps the most personal relationship you can have with the food that you put into your body. It’s pure. You know exactly where it came from, how it was processed and how it was prepared. Every single bite you take means something. Nothing gets wasted. You cherish it.
If you are someone who has never hunted, I highly recommend it. For more than just providing meat. It will make you appreciate your food. Through this process you will learn so much about yourself also.
Is it hard? Very.
Is it a lot of work? Yes.
Is it emotional? No question. Extreme happiness and sadness.
Is it rewarding? More than you can imagine.
I am so thankful for those who have guided me along the process of this hunting journey. It has truly changed my life. Honestly, it can be overwhelming to get started. There are a lot of things to think about….licenses, tags, zones, seasons, the list goes on. Once you get through the initial understanding though, like anything else in life, it becomes much easier to understand and navigate. If you have any questions or are interested in hunting but have no clue where to start, I’m happy to help. DM me on my socials or drop a comment!
