10 Reasons We Love to Hunt

What are the reasons you love hunting? The Iowa Sportsman released their top 10.

“One thing I have learned over the years is, we as hunters all share a love for the sport called hunting. I always find it interesting how I can be talking to a perfect stranger and honestly, not be engaged or invested in the conversation, more or less being socially polite. And then a simple phrase changes all of that, “Do you hunt?” Instantly there is a bond that is created and a new relationship is born. What was going to be a short and quickly forgotten conversation turns into a memorable time warp, of canted sharing and in some cases a new friendship is born. As hunters there are things that we have seen, felt and experienced in the outdoors that no words can explain. And I believe that is the fiber that connects us as hunters and drives us to hunt whenever we can.

10. Permission to Hunt on a New Piece of Ground
We as hunters love a challenge and we are always looking for that perfect piece of hunting ground. As we all know hunting ground can be as elusive as the animals we hunt, BUT when you finally track down the owner of a parcel and get their coveted blessings there is a euphoria and an excitement that words cannot explain. Trail cameras are hung and simple scouting ensues, and almost instantly time seems to stop as we impatiently wait for our chance to hunt the new piece of land.

9. Preparation
Every season brings a new set of challenges and obstacles, and every year we work to hopefully stack the odds in our favor. Through scouting, treestand placement, food plots and trail cameras we work to find that perfect ambush spot. We practice with our bows and guns, shooting different shot angles, shooting different yardages with and without our hunting apparel, methodically and meticulously dialing in our talents and weapons of choice preparing for those few seconds when it all comes together.

8. Testing Our Equipment
It seems like every year there are some new advancements in the hunting world whether it be new types of clothing, camouflage, electronics, weapons, treestands or blinds. Sometimes it’s just gimmicks and ploys the big companies use to convince us to spend our hard earned money. Sometimes we take the plunge and dive in and purchase new equipment whether we need it or not. Last year I purchased a high dollar pheasant vest and I was eager to use the new vest during the upcoming hunting season. Opening day finally came and I was only a half hour into the hunt when I realized this vest was not going to make the cut. It was too big and bulky and the first rooster pheasant that flushed from the cover got a free pass due to the butt stock of my gun getting caught in one of the pockets on my vest. By the end of the hunt I was just as eager to take the vest back as I had been to purchase the vest. Sometimes those purchases are the best purchases ever made and other times not so much, but part of the fun is figuring out if it is a product suited for us.

7. Disconnecting From the World
We are good at filling our schedules completely full and constantly running in circles day after day. We forget what it’s like to unplug from the real world for a few hours. So getting in a treestand or walking a field of switch grass in the middle of nowhere with little to no cell phone connection, disconnected from the day to day develops a peace that only fellow hunters truly understand. No phone calls, no work, no nagging and no complaining just peace and quiet. The only person you are dealing with is Mother Nature herself and she allows you to disconnect from the constant challenges of day to day rigors.

6. Seeing Nature at its Best
Every Fall and Spring I am reminded of how amazing it is to watch the timber come alive every morning and fall to sleep every evening. There are so many things that we see as hunters that many people never see or even know happens in the woods. One of my most memorable moments I have experienced in the outdoors was a fall evening when a group of turkeys chased every deer off of the field. The turkeys had laid claim to the beans that were strewn about the freshly harvested field and they jumped, spurred and battered every single deer that tried to capitalize on the new food. It was one of the most entertaining nights I have had while hunting. It is memories like this that so many take for granted or so many will never even have a chance to encounter. If you love to hunt you will see so much more beauty in this world!”

To see the last of the reasons, click here. 

Photo Credit: Original Author

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