I started blogging several years ago (not going to admit how long ago it was) under the handle of "HuntsLikeAGirl". It was a fun way to share my initial hunting experiences, as they were numerous, hilarious and sometimes unbelievable, therefore I felt they needed to be shared with world. The outlet I chose was a blog named, "Scent Free Lip Gloss." After reading through the archives, some of these are worth sharing again. You're welcome. Today's Throwback Thursday blog post.... Hunt Farting! Someone shared this video at work the other day... I caught myself laughing out loud in my cube. Loudly. I then thought, "Oh dear, I've been in the woods too long. What if I actually farted in public and didn't realize it." Then more laughing was heard from the unconfined walls of my cubicle. If you are a hunter, you know what I'm talking about. Hunt farting. The socially acceptable version of farting. Hey, you are in the woods. The animals don't care. Your hunting partners don't care. Well, maybe, they don't care. At least you *think* they don't. Plus everyone wants to test out their scent free clothing, so you fart loudly and proudly proclaim, "Scent Blocker!" I learned quickly during my first few seasons out in the woods that what happens in the woods, stays in the woods. This includes passing gas while you walk over fallen timber. I can still remember some of the looks I received from the guys when I first let one slip. Hey, the guys aren't the only ones that want to put scent blocker clothing to the test! I'll admit that hunt farting has become a norm in our hunting camp, in fact, maybe too normal. For example, when a newbie was invited to come along on a hunt one evening this past September I forgot that I had just met them. Oops. Hopefully he knows that I really only hunt fart when I'm hunting with my friends that fart. I think I become a different person while out in the woods. I can't help it. It's not my fault that we eat things like Bean Bake which only encourages hunt farting. Well, okay... I did make the Bean Bake, so maybe I'm a little bit at fault Some days I'm amazed we see any animals at all! Bean Bake: An Elk meat, bacon & bean collision I'm not sure I have a point to all of this other than the fact that if you ARE a hunt farter, quit the denial. Hunt farting is farting. We hunt. We fart. Hunt farting.
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How did you introduce your kids to hunting? Are you not sure HOW or WHEN to get your kids involved in your hunting adventures? Here are a few of our tips and what we've done so far with our now almost 2 year old daughter. We aren't experts by any means, but thought we'd share what has worked for us!
TALK ABOUT IT! Leading up to our trips, I made sure to talk to Lindsey about all the animals we would see and what we are going to do outside. Granted, she was only 15 months old when we took our first big hunting trip, but I think it did really help to get her excited when I told her what we were about to do. Plus I let her help me clean and pack the camper. By the time we set up our home on the mountain, she was used to the camper and excited about living in it for a couple weeks. BRING THEM WITH YOU! When we found out that we were pregnant almost 3 years ago, Troy and I knew that our hunting lifestyle was about to change, but we also knew that it didn't mean we would stop hunting. We spend the majority of September hunting elk in Colorado, so what was this going to look like with a baby / toddler? It was a lot of work planning and preparing to take along a one-year old hunting, but trust me, it was worth it. Take your kids with you, if you can! Here is what we did to make it possible...
MAKE IT FUN! Whether you are just bringing kids to hunting camp or letting them actually go on a hunt with you, remember to keep it FUN! You want to make sure that the first impressions are good ones, so adjust your hunting expectations and focus on introducing the hunt in a positive way. That means not expecting that a 2 year old will be able to be still or quiet for long periods of time. Remember that young kiddos have short attention spans! Here are a few ideas for a first hunt...
These are all just suggestions. I haven't had the chance to use all of them yet, as Lindsey is only 2 and we have only taken her on a turkey "hunt" and for not that long... it was more like setting up the blind and playing at the truck while one of us hunted. We'll get there eventually, but I think the important thing is to simply let Lindsey be a part of the process early on and see how fun it is. She was definitely excited to see the turkey this spring after I shot mine and wanted to be in the picture. Small steps! We want to know.... What have you done to introduce your kids to your hunting lifestyle? What tips do you have to share? ~Emily Elk hunters understand the significance of the last load out.
Muscles strained to the point of exhaustion, testify to the work leading up to the last step out of the woods. Carrying pounds of pure protein upon your back while traveling over downed timber and making elevation gains, is the result of filling a tag. Sometimes, this means several loads from the kill site. The thought of future meals, steaks on the grill, evenings with friends milling around a BBQ grill where elk burger smells fill the air, drives us to continue the journey, the motivation needed to take the next step. Back and forth we journey until the last edible piece of meat is removed. If you've never experienced the feeling of exhaustion from carrying out a years worth of meat out of the woods on your back, then you may never fully understand and appreciate where your meal comes from. It is a far cry from the normalcy of the nice, clean and easy trip to the grocery store. Hunting is messy, bloody and will test you to the core. It is a lifestyle in direct contrast to the current age of convenience where a burger can be located and consumed around nearly any fast food joint around the next corner in town. It is almost amazing that anyone would still willingly choose to take on the daunting task of hunting, killing and bringing meat out of the forests. Almost. I am still hopeful that future generations don't loose the understanding and love for the hunt. In this day and age I believe it is a toughness that needs to be cultivated. As I watch the cultural trends and mindset of this current generation, I am a little fearful that this way of life may be lost if we aren't intentional about passing it on. But then I look at the hunting community and am hopeful because of the many passionate individuals who understand the importance of valuing and teaching others why we hunt. Troy and I are committed to teaching Lindsey the importance of understanding where her food comes from, respecting the animals we pursue, and appreciating the outdoor lifestyle that we live. Hopefully, she will grow up loving the outdoors. Kids naturally love the outdoors and I've already seen her light up as she discovers new things in the world around her. I don't think the lifestyle of hunting and enjoying the outdoors will be a hard sell. Thank goodness! I was reminiscing recently about how I once carried out almost an entire an elk on my back (3 trips to take out the front shoulders and a hind quarter.) As I was making my way back to meet the guys on the mountain slope for the last load, I stumbled upon a doe bedded in the aspen. The beauty of the scene stopped me in my tracks. The straps from a bloody, empty packframe, strapped to my back, slowly swayed in the mountain breeze. The contrast of life and death swirled around me. There is a thankfulness for a pile of meat which will feed a family for a year, yet a reality of the cost it took to obtain it that washes over the hunter. She sat there unaware of my presence for several minutes. We shared the peacefulness of those few moments, while I let thankfulness for the opportunity to be there and simply let the beauty of it all fill me up. My muscles began to remind me that if I stopped too long, I may not want to or even be able to get that last load out. I had to keep moving. When I reached the guys for the last load, I was met with puzzled looks and the question of, "What took so long this time?" Joke was on me... they were slowly gutting and cutting up the meat, in the hopes that if they took long enough, I would end up carrying the entire elk off the mountain. I didn't tell them right away that I took a break on the way down the mountain that last time (thank you, doe, for the distraction!). We had a good laugh around the campfire that night. All this to say.... as hunters, we work hard to get every last bit of meat off the mountain, and when the last load is finally strapped to your back and hauled out, there is a sense of satisfaction that is hard to explain. I remember each elk shot on the mountain, each time we hauled out all the meat and each time we finally reached the truck with all the meat. I wonder if that is truly why elk tastes so good. It is a labor of love. |
From the DrawWe are devoted to sharing our bowhunting stories. We have a passion for passing on our hunting heritage to our kids. From the draw in the mountains to the draw on paper, the moments live on. Categories
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