A Caveman in A Post Modern World

  I am an artist and, as such, generally expected to be modern and opposed to archaic and outlived notions. For that reason I guess people are sometimes surprised to learn that I am a hunter and support everyone's right to do so in a legal and sporting manner.
  It seems so strange to have to defend myself for continuing what I have always considered to be an honorable tradition that was taught to me by my father (who learned it the same way and so on). It would be logical that something that was once a man's only real job would be a proud and carefully guarded ritual that the whole community encouraged all children to learn. But in recent years it has become so fashionable to protest the mistreatment of animals and hunting has fallen into that category.
  I won't fill this blog with statistics that illustrate that most of the game that exists in our country exists BECAUSE hunters pay high fees for licensing which are used for the perpetuation of natural habitats and breeding areas of wildlife. Most who oppose hunting have never cared enough to give a dime to preserve areas for animals to live. I also wouldn't even make the argument that fresh game is healthier, without additives, growth hormones and preservatives and that I do not favor killing animals for trophy purpose myself and only for eating or population control when there are serious problems with balance in certain ecosystems. My daughter is a vegan and I know all the arguments against eating meat and completely support anyone's right to make that decision as well.
  I do not love thinking about an animal having to suffer in order for me to have a ham sandwich or wear leather boots. I sincerely hope those who prepare animal products for consumption do it with as much dignity for the animals as is possible and realize they are doing a service that most people want and a job that no one really wants to think about the details of. And I do NOT think all hunters are good people who make every attempt to give game every sporting chance and not cause any unnecessary suffering. I wish they would always act as responsible stewards of the earth and it's beauty and bounty but we all know that many people do not. This does not only apply to hunters but also to those who leave trash on hiking trails and leave every light in their house on all the time.
  I really am not prepared to try to convince anyone what is the right thing for them to think about hunters and the sport of hunting. If you are violently opposed to it I believe you should not do it. But all I can tell you is that I feel a connection to every ancestor I have ever had when I am out in nature's harshest elements sitting and looking around me. I am called upon to use every sense and try to become another animal. I must think and act in simple and painfully careful ways. And for those hours that I am there I become my great-great-great-great grandfather and there is a family waiting at home very much hoping for the success of my day. I see things that others do not see and hear noises that are never even heard by the average person who has never sat still for two hours trying not to move an eyelash. The world moves in close to me and I find my insignificance in it. I become my father and his father.
  It would be cheaper and far less time consuming to just go to the grocery store and buy food. A lot of it tastes good because of all the stuff that is added to it to MAKE it taste good. But when I eat an animal I have personally harvested there is a certain reverence and gratitude for that provision that I don't get by just writing a check for it. Maybe those of you who grow your own beans or okra or tomatoes know what I mean.
  I guess hunting has largely outlived it's usefulness for most people. It's a whole lot more convenient to just pay for people to raise, slaughter, prepare and even cook our food. But I still love the concept and age old traditions of outdoor sportsmen and sportswomen who perpetuate and hold dear the lifestyle. It's not about logic, folks. It's about love- love for the outdoors, family rituals and memories and a deep bonding with others of similar belief. Believe it or not, it's about a love for the wildlife, too. If you can't understand it you probably never sat at your dad's feet and heard him speak with great reverence about a big fish he chased for years or a smart old gobbler that no one could ever fool. You wouldn't have ever heard a grandfather or uncle speak with affection about guns and dogs and hunting pals in his life. You have never baited a hook for your own child, shown them where to drop the line and seen the look on their face when the rod bends. And without those common experiences you and I just wouldn't be able to understand each other much.