With another season in the books, we all have time to enjoy the memories, and hopefully some venison. There’s also time to take inventory and plan for next season, whether that’s scouting public land, mapping new stand sites, or managing private ground.
It’s equally important to take self inventory. Reflect on what hunting means to you. Are you still having maximum fun? If not, is it time to recalibrate your compass? Only you can answer this question, but if internal or peer pressures are sapping the joy out of what used to be your favorite time of year, maybe it’s time to do something about it.
When you stop hunting for yourself and start hunting for approval, you will find that hunting is no longer as exciting. You’ll lose a part of your soul — the part that brought you so much excitement and joy for so many years. I’ve seen it happen many times to many people.
The same can be said of how you treat fellow hunters. My friend Ted Nugent expressed it best during a candid conversation at a Michigan deer camp last fall. He was showing me his collection of bowhunting antiques when the subject turned to Michigan’s new state-mandated antler restrictions. His response was a textbook example of how we should reflect more and respond less.
“If you have the time and luxury to pass up younger deer, and if you get excited waiting for the mystical stag … hallelujah to you,” he said. “But what man has the audacity, or the right, or the authority to tell that man, or that child or that woman that when they got up early and they practiced with that shotgun or that bow … and they’re excited to get out in the woods … who could possibly think they could have any control over this person’s choice whether he shoots that spike or not?
“If that spike thrills that person … maybe he’s only got that day to hunt … maybe he’s only got an occasional day … he’s got two buck tags … who could possibly say, ‘No, I’m sorry, you can’t shoot that deer. I’ve decided.’
“That is one of the worst failures of mankind — arbitrarily believing you have the authority over someone else’s choice in such a personal endeavor.
“For the person who wants that spike, God bless you. Shoot the spike. If it makes you happy … you are reducing the herd … you’re enjoying the outdoor recreation … you’re investing in this huge sportsman’s economy … who could possibly find fault with the happiness they achieve by shooting that little butterball buck?
“You would have to find a really selfish elitist who would dictate his preference of hunting onto someone else. No one has that authority. No one has that right. I’ve seen where people quit hunting because of it. ‘Why’d you shoot THAT buck?’ What a nasty attitude.”
Amen. It doesn’t matter if a hunter is 8 or 80 — hunting is a personal experience. Let’s maximize our outdoors enjoyment through a recommitment to fun and compassion for others.