What drives a hunter?..... a text to a buddy..

Superbrad said:
What happened after will always stick with me..... I was in shock and dad was amazed, but there were no high fives or jumping around...... I calmly (while shaking) walked over and picked up the bird...... my dad took the time to explain to me that I had just taken a life and reiterated the importance of that and reaffirmed that we would eat it......
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Good man.. I take it as a strong sign of immaturity when I see people laughing yippin and yapping after a kill, then hoisting the bloody head up with a big smile for a photo. Not something a true man would teach his kids. Not saying it's wrong to get caught up in the moment and adrenaline, and celebrate a little.

However, showing a little respect to what you had to kill to survive(no matter what it is), shows alot of character.
 
patriot1 said:
Man, why does going out and filling a freezer need to become some feelings bromance stuff, geez.

Yeah, that settles it. I'm always gonna hunt alone.
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You won't get it till you experience it, plain and simple. I took a buddy out for a couple days on his first hunt and while neither of us got to cut our deer tags I got to see him bag his first couple grouse. Was a great time, lots of laughs and camaraderie. It would have been equally successful even if he or I hadn't brought home any meat. You're just going through the motions, maybe hunting isn't for you and there's no shame in that.
 
Great story OP, I hunted briefly with my dad when I was a kid. He was mainly into fishing when I was a kid, so we spent a ton of time in the boat or camping and fishing. So many good memories of those times, lots of fish caught and lost. My dad passed away a few yrs back, I'd give my left nut as well to be back out in the boat trying to out fish the crafty old guy. Sometimes I showed him up and he always enjoyed that, it meant he'd taught me well.
 
Butcherbill said:
You won't get it till you experience it, plain and simple. I took a buddy out for a couple days on his first hunt and while neither of us got to cut our deer tags I got to see him bag his first couple grouse. Was a great time, lots of laughs and camaraderie. It would have been equally successful even if he or I hadn't brought home any meat. You're just going through the motions, maybe hunting isn't for you and there's no shame in that.
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Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Sparing the details, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and I am not proud of that not one bit. I had a great uncle back home who was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, trapper, sled dogs, etc. I remember seeing my dad pissed right off time after time coming back from unsuccessful hunts with him. I was like 7 or 8. Not long after he gave up hunting and guns altogether. There's one time in particular the entitlement he displayed was beyond disgusting and unfortunately that got passed down to me.

Difference is I am aware. He is not and will never be.

Think it's bad now? Believe it or not I have gotten much better over the years. And recent events in my life have me seriously looking in the mirror each morning saying to myself, "man, I got a lot of work to do before I can call myself a decent human being"

Being more or less a minimalist part of me has no use or love for a head on the wall but another part of me wants to email him a pic with a trophy kill just to piss him off.
 
patriot1 said:
Man, why does going out and filling a freezer need to become some feelings bromance stuff, geez.

Yeah, that settles it. I'm always gonna hunt alone.
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patriot1 said:
Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Sparing the details, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and I am not proud of that not one bit. I had a great uncle back home who was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, trapper, sled dogs, etc. I remember seeing my dad pissed right off time after time coming back from unsuccessful hunts with him. I was like 7 or 8. Not long after he gave up hunting and guns altogether. There's one time in particular the entitlement he displayed was beyond disgusting and unfortunately that got passed down to me.

Difference is I am aware. He is not and will never be.

Think it's bad now? Believe it or not I have gotten much better over the years. And recent events in my life have me seriously looking in the mirror each morning saying to myself, "man, I got a lot of work to do before I can call myself a decent human being"....
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Whoa.

Not gonna lie dude. That took some balls.


I am so over-blessed when it comes to father and family, that I forget about the fellas like you. I forget not everyone has had the team of mentors giving them a hand up that I have. I hope you’re able to find a group of guys that can take you under their wing and peel back the layers... the layers that conceal what hunting really is, and the layers that conceal who you really are. You’ll have to do your share of tongue biting, but that’s all part of the experience. And you’re already half way there by knowing some of the obstacles you’ll need to overcome.

I’m pulling for ya.




Cheers, KJ.
 
patriot1 said:
Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Sparing the details, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and I am not proud of that not one bit. I had a great uncle back home who was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, trapper, sled dogs, etc. I remember seeing my dad pissed right off time after time coming back from unsuccessful hunts with him. I was like 7 or 8. Not long after he gave up hunting and guns altogether. There's one time in particular the entitlement he displayed was beyond disgusting and unfortunately that got passed down to me.

Difference is I am aware. He is not and will never be.

Think it's bad now? Believe it or not I have gotten much better over the years. And recent events in my life have me seriously looking in the mirror each morning saying to myself, "man, I got a lot of work to do before I can call myself a decent human being"

Being more or less a minimalist part of me has no use or love for a head on the wall but another part of me wants to email him a pic with a trophy kill just to piss him off.
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You're kinda growing on me... like black mold under a sub-floor...

I take it you are a fairly young man? If so, you are ahead of the game, in recognizing and openly acknowledging your life wounds. There is hard work ahead, but one thing I can guarantee is that the person you wish to become will only be revealed in "relationship" not "isolation." So, even though this is a faceless blog, take the feedback as free therapy.
 
hoytcanon said:
You're kinda growing on me... like black mold under a sub-floor...

I take it you are a fairly young man? If so, you are ahead of the game, in recognizing and openly acknowledging your life wounds. There is hard work ahead, but one thing I can guarantee is that the person you wish to become will only be revealed in "relationship" not "isolation." So, even though this is a faceless blog, take the feedback as free therapy.
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I am toxic... there's no denying that. And I'm 42. 1 teenaged daughter, never been married, just threw away a 15 year relationship with a near-perfect woman for me. Awesome eh?
 
patriot1 said:
I am toxic... there's no denying that. And I'm 42. 1 teenaged daughter, never been married, just threw away a 15 year relationship with a near-perfect woman for me. Awesome eh?
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42... that makes sense. It takes four decades to realize that all of the surface shyte we have been using to cope with the past and navigate life is NOT working. Sorry about the tanked relationship, will be hard on your daughter... on the other hand, there is a bold new world ahead of you... the question is; "Will you learn from the past and walk into a new future with vulnerability and honesty?" Or; "Will you retreat back into yourself and fall back on old coping mechanisms and addictions to attempt (and fail) to manage your life?"

The direction you take now will have a huge impact on your daughter... just as your father's wounds and agreements affected you and your path... good luck, chum.
 
hoytcanon said:
42... that makes sense. It takes four decades to realize that all of the surface shyte we have been using to cope with the past and navigate life is NOT working. Sorry about the tanked relationship, will be hard on your daughter... on the other hand, there is a bold new world ahead of you... the question is; "Will you learn from the past and walk into a new future with vulnerability and honesty?" Or; "Will you retreat back into yourself and fall back on old coping mechanisms and addictions to attempt (and fail) to manage your life?"

The direction you take now will have a huge impact on your daughter... just as your father's wounds and agreements affected you and your path... good luck, chum.
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Amazingly enough my daughter and I have an awesome relationship although we do not like any of the same hobbies/sports. How I handle things with her is relatively simple- I ask myself, what would my dad do, how would he react? And I do the exact opposite.

I think I'm an ok dad, she was a Trudeau fan girl last year and now she hates him.



the spank said:
To quote Lee Emery in Full Metal Jacket “what is your major malfunction numb****? Didn’t mommy and daddy show you enough attention as a child?!!”
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Yeah, but the good news is I'm nowhere near what happens next in the movie!
 
patriot1 said:
Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Sparing the details, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and I am not proud of that not one bit. I had a great uncle back home who was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, trapper, sled dogs, etc. I remember seeing my dad pissed right off time after time coming back from unsuccessful hunts with him. I was like 7 or 8. Not long after he gave up hunting and guns altogether. There's one time in particular the entitlement he displayed was beyond disgusting and unfortunately that got passed down to me.

Difference is I am aware. He is not and will never be.

Think it's bad now? Believe it or not I have gotten much better over the years. And recent events in my life have me seriously looking in the mirror each morning saying to myself, "man, I got a lot of work to do before I can call myself a decent human being"

Being more or less a minimalist part of me has no use or love for a head on the wall but another part of me wants to email him a pic with a trophy kill just to piss him off.
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Well man, I hope it clicks for you and you start to really enjoy it for what it has to offer beyond the filling the freezer. Coming home with meat only makes it more satisfying, there are lots of other rewarding parts of being out in the woods hunting. Solo or with one or two like minded people, I honestly prefer solo but this year I got to hunt with a couple friends and my wife and I really enjoyed it. Nice to give or have an extra hand dragging the animal around, though having to drag a deer uphill 350yds to the road in the dark by myself was something I wouldn't change lol.

I'm a new hunter, this is my second year. My first year hunting last year was mixed, I got a few grouse but nothing else but it taught me how much I enjoyed it. It's a challenge on many levels and I love that, hooefully you start to get out of it what some many people do. I just love being out in the bush, the fact that I can do that and fill the freezer is just the best. Lots of times my old man and I would spend all day in the boat freezing our balls off and catch nothing, it was still a good day.
 
patriot1 said:
Amazingly enough my daughter and I have an awesome relationship although we do not like any of the same hobbies/sports. How I handle things with her is relatively simple- I ask myself, what would my dad do, how would he react? And I do the exact opposite.

I think I'm an ok dad, she was a Trudeau fan girl last year and now she hates him.

Yeah, but the good news is I'm nowhere near what happens next in the movie!
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I don’t usually do the personal advice stuff on a message board, but you kind of opened up a bit there and some of the stuff you said hit home... everything me has gone through some darker times in life and bares the associated scars.... what defines you as a person is directly related to how you deal with these scars.....

1- you have a kid, you love your kid and by all accounts it sounds like she loves you... no matter where you are at mentally / in life, that’s always a good foundation to build on....

2- you seem to have a lack of ability to enjoy the simple things.... take the time to enjoy every minute of your day as best you can... if you head out hunting and come home empty handed, did you not enjoy fresh air, get exercise, experience nature and get some of whatever is weighing you down off of your mind for a few hours?..... will you not enjoy a better nights sleep after and won’t that big meal taste better after all of that walking and exercise?.... add some good music, a crackling wood stove and a cold beer...... even some good laughs with good company.. if you enjoyed all of that, then was your day really an “unsuccessful” one?...

3- you seem to want instant gratification, but if hunting was as easy as walking out in the woods and shooting your intended quarry, would that reward really be all that satisfying?...... this is why you don’t understand trophy hunters.....
 
Hey Patriot1:

Lots of us bear scars from our relationships or lack thereof with our Dads. It sounds like you are making the connections to move forward and Hoyt is bang on with his comment. It's commendable for you to open up a bit and as it takes balls to do so and also it helps give a snapshot of who you are. The forum is faceless but there are alot of good people here united around their love of firearms, hunting etc. My one suggestion is to know that if you are feeling negative about something, best not to crap on the positive and heart felt postings of others. You posted something heart felt and the response has been mainly positive for you.

It's the holidays and emotions can run a little high this time of year. Merry Christmas Patriot1 and if you are the island, I can set you up in a blind next season :). Assuming you don't go full retard. Because no one needs that here and I don't think you are that at heart.

Best,
VIC
 
Pariot1..... I have no real skin in your game...... I hope you listen to us..... Vic, Hoyt and I have given you some good advice....

Not sure where you are at, but would be happy to send a venison roast your way..... accompanied with a lecture of course..... :)
 
VanIsleCam said:
Hey Patriot1:

Lots of us bear scars from our relationships or lack thereof with our Dads. It sounds like you are making the connections to move forward and Hoyt is bang on with his comment. It's commendable for you to open up a bit and as it takes balls to do so and also it helps give a snapshot of who you are. The forum is faceless but there are alot of good people here united around their love of firearms, hunting etc. My one suggestion is to know that if you are feeling negative about something, best not to crap on the positive and heart felt postings of others. You posted something heart felt and the response has been mainly positive for you.

It's the holidays and emotions can run a little high this time of year. Merry Christmas Patriot1 and if you are the island, I can set you up in a blind next season :). Assuming you don't go full retard. Because no one needs that here and I don't think you are that at heart.

Best,
VIC
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Thanks man, said behavior is exactly what he would do/does/have done and I am and will work harder to keep that in check. I'm not on the Island, but If I end up that way I'd be happy to let you know, and no lol I never go full retard, Despite all of this firearms is a privilege that I take very seriously.


Superbrad said:
Pariot1..... I have no real skin in your game...... I hope you listen to us..... Vic, Hoyt and I have given you some good advice....

Not sure where you are at, but would be happy to send a venison roast your way..... accompanied with a lecture of course..... :)
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I'm in Calgary, and while I do appreciate the offer I will gladly listen to the lecture but I want to earn my venison roast so I guess I have to wait until next year.

Merry Christmas everyone!
 
Patriot 1. Like others have said, we all carry bad things. Although ive always had a good relationship with my dad, the useless piece of crap my mom married when i was about 12 is another story.
He was a very violent, abusive S.O.B to both myself and my mother. By age 14 him and I were getting into fist fights weekly. Partly our hate for one another and part me trying to defend my mom. She was extremly scared to leave him so because him and I couldnt get along and I wasnt big enough to handle him I had to move in with my grandparents. Thats why i said in early post in this thread on how close i was with my grandpa.
Anyway the abuse to my mother continued until after she was diagnosed with cancer, and even then the mental abuse was terrible.
Anyway enough on that. I just wanted to let you know you have alot guts saying what you have here and i feel for you.
It sounds like you have a great relationship with your daughter and thats huge. You deffinatly know how to be the good father that you didnt have yourself and be proud of that.
Anyway i really hope everything works out for you. Merry Christmas . Jeff.
 
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