As hunters, we've all felt the rush. But where does it come from?
It's time to examine what the thrill of a hunt really is for each of us.
When the fall winds start blowing in late summer, we feel a change. The cool mornings bring out a change in us, both physically and mentally. Many of us start growing facial hair that's been missing in the heat of summer. The game will less likely see us if our faces look like a mossy tree, right? For the huntresses, the newest makeup is actually war paint for chasing big game.
We get our treestands and ground blinds ready for action. We've sighted in our bows and firearms. The smell of gun powder at the local gun range has an almost aphrodisiac effect on our noses. The whack of an arrow hitting a foam deer target leads to thoughts of big racks and a freezer full of meat.
The clay pigeon range crackles with the sounds of shotgun blasts in preparation for upland bird hunting. We sort and ready our hunting gear once again for another deer hunting season. We mentally check off a list of our favorite gear.
When big-game and small-game hunting seasons open, our boots eagerly hit the dirt. We excitedly stalk familiar trails and explore new ones in search of game. Our imaginations swell with thoughts of huge bucks and bag limits of ducks, geese, rabbits, squirrels, grouse and every game species legal in our hunting areas. The thrill is chasing animals we know are there but may not see in time or at all. It's a game of hide and seek that beats going to the grocery store. If we as hunters and huntresses get the upper hand, a great meal or even a freezer full of delicious wild meat is in the future.
We remember our first hunting seasons like they were yesterday. I personally remember creeping through stands of oaks in a nearby forest in search of squirrels. My grandfather's Savage Model 4C bolt-action .22 rifle was a straight-shooter then and still is now. A carefully targeted squirrel with a safe shot was soon to be in the crock pot.
The smell of autumn is certainly a favorite of hunters everywhere. Sure there are open seasons for coyote and groundhog hunting all year in my home state of Ohio. Spring turkey season is a welcome break from winter, but still our hearts yearn for fall. With the leaves turning colors, the wilds are a feast for the eyes and soul. Animals of all types prepare for the winter ahead. As we wait for our game, we watch the animal show in front of us in high definition. The woods and fields are alive, and we are but spectators imitating a log. As soon as we're on our feet again, the wildlife scatters and hides. We're passing through their living room.
What does the thrill of a hunt actually mean to us? For one, it means we get to be closer to nature. We're tapping into a primitive set of instincts that are often sadly forgotten in the modern world of electronics and instant-gratification online purchases. Our roots are in the woods and have been since we each got our hunter education and our first hunting license. We step back in time for a moment and enjoy a time when our hunting mentors taught us much of our outdoor knowledge. We drift away on the winds of time for a moment and remember those first hunts of our early years.
The adrenaline starts flowing when we spot that big buck or that strutting tom. It's an addictive feeling that occupies our minds constantly. It's a proverbial breath of fresh air when the hunting season's upon us. We're now part of the natural world and a top predator of the food chain.
Do you like articles about the outdoors? Click here to view more articles by Eric Nestor. You can follow him @ericthewoodsman on Twitter, The Classic Woodsman on Facebook, and @theclassicwoodsman on Instagram. You can view more Nestor Photography photos at Nestor Photography.
NEXT: GUN REVIEW: THE ALL-NEW HENRY .410 LEVER-ACTION RARE CARBINE SHOTGUN
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