Why We Hunt...

Tradition is defined as a long established or inherited way of thinking or acting.

Legacy is defined as anything handed down from the past.

Hunting for our family is both.

There is a special bond of teamwork, family unity and focus when we hunt together.  Some of our dearest memories are of grandpas hunting with grandchildren or great-grandchildren.  To pursue a goal together in this way cements memories for a lifetime.  What a blessing to have etched in the memory of our children the evenings all snuggled in the toasty wall tent listening to Great Grandpa play "Yankee Doodle" on his mandolin, or sitting on a frosty hillside during the coldest part of the morning - just before the sun rises - next to Dad.

There is so much more to hunting than dragging a lifeless animal out of the mountains as some would view it.  Hunting season starts in so many different ways, months before opening day......

~ with car conversations about the important differences between preservation and conservation

~with gun handling drills at any given moment

~with late night pillow talk about how to meet the needs and skill levels of all family members involved

~with tears and some sighs as we grieve the great grandpas who can no longer join us

~with friendly competition with any weapon we are shooting

~with debates around the dinner table about the most ethical and effective shot placement

~with hikes all together to prepare for the hunt

~with equipment sorting - "OK...who took mom's headlamp AGAIN"

~with holidays and birthdays when we add to the kids hunting gear collection with needed items

~who gets a range finder from her husband on our anniversary and is THRILLED?!

~with recipe collecting for new ways to use the anticipated harvest

~with the annual boot try on....my how feet grow in a year

You see, it is not just the hunt, but the living of a common goal that builds a lifelong love of something.

What is your family doing together to build memories, teamwork, heritage, legacy?  Go for it - the investment is absolutely worth the cost in time and energy.

Life is measured in decades, years, months, weeks and days.....but they all start with moments.  How will you fill these moments today with your family?