annual Michigan deer hunt: Hunting and the Outdoors

I was watching a Ted Nugent hunting show and I heard him say "I hunt because I'm a hunter". I'm sure he has been asked many time why he hunts. I've never been asked that question. I like Ted's answer, but I can't really call myself a hunter. Ted really is a hunter. He lives and breathes it. I love to hunt, but it's more like the best damned hobby in the world. It involves many things that I enjoy. Experiencing the woods in pleasant and challenging weather. Spending time with friends and sharing the hunting experience. There is also something intangible and instinctive that compels me to hunt. I don't know what it is. I can't completely explain it and I don't have to explain it. It gets in your blood. I think that's what Ted was talking about.
My first hunting experience was like most every other hunters. I was with my father when I was 12 years old. I remember following him and trying to place my feet in his footsteps as we walked through the snow. I see now how symbolic and important that was for me. He introduced me to hunting and I am grateful. I have many memories of time spent hunting with family and friends. Funny how many are of the times in trying weather when we froze our asses off or got rained on for two or three days.
I don't know how many pictures there are of my father posing next to a dead deer. Quite a lot I guess. It's not about the numbers for him, he worked way to hard to become an avid hunter. He just shows up at hunting season and for miles deer toss and turn in their beds. He used to say he can smell 'em. He has a knack for hunting deer. For him, it's never about the antlers either. Although he's put his hands on some nice ones. He tracked his first buck for hours. It found itself cornered in an area with a fence on one side. Out of frustration it turned, lowered it's antlers and charged him. He shot it as it approached. It slid in the snow and stopped within the reaching distance with his rifle. That was in the early 1950's in western Pennsylvania. True story. That was his first buck. Kinda hard to top that one.

Northern Michigan approx. 1997

Southern Ohio

Hunting and the outdoors does get in your blood. My sister also enjoys the outdoors. She hunts a little and loves to fish. I took her ice fishing on Lake St. Clair in Michigan.