I promised hunting stories for this blog and so far I have yet to post a story from my hunts. Maybe that is because elk season was last fall and we are now on count down mode for our next hunt with the hopes of brand new stories and adventures on the horizon. No excuses.

We all begin making lists around this time of year for the items we need to bring hunting, purchase prior to hunting, or make for hunting camp. One of the best little inventions that is now on the top of the "bring hunting" list is the Poop Chair. Yes, the Poop Chair. It is simply a folding chair with a hole cut in the center and a toilet seat mounted on it. Fabulous! Although I will admit that since we purchased a camper, the girl's bathroom now takes the cake. However, the guys still prefer the poop chair - outside usually in the middle of the night.

​After a long day of hunting / hiking in the mountains, it is normal to arrive back at camp long after the sun has set. So, no one really notices when the poop chair is gone and someone has wandered off into the woods to be one with nature. Not entirely true for my man though. One night, after arriving back to camp the normal routine was taking place... removal of mud caked boots, starting the wood burning stove, hanging clothes on the line to be sprayed down with some type of scent removing spray, finding your favorite chair so that stories from the day could be retold. Then it happened, we all realized there was a glow coming from the middle of a small newly growing aspen grove. There he was. Poop chair unfolded. Lantern placed right next to him. It was as if a giant spot light was pointing right there for all the woodland creatures to see. I have never laughed so hard!

As he was walking back to camp he heard the laughter and all he said was, "What?" Apparently he thought he was completely surrounded by that grove of aspen trees. So, if you find yourself making your own folding chair port-a-potty to take on your hunting trips, remember that a small light in the darkness will indeed shine through sparsely populated aspen groves. Choose your spot wisely.

Not too long ago I attended a women's breakfast where the speaker was talking about a quiet time in the woods she experienced.  She was weaving together a great story for the audience about how her wonderful moment was almost ruined as she looked down and discovered all the deer poop in her nice peaceful spot.   Of course, the point of the story was something to the effect of having to get through the muck and the mire in life sometimes in order to see the beauty around you.  She tied it all together by relating to Psalm 40:2-3. (A great verse!)  I have to admit though, my mind started to wander a bit when she was describing the poop disappointment.  I was thinking thoughts like.... "what's wrong with you!  Look for the deer," and "If there is fresh poop, the deer are close!"  In fact, I probably would have actually stepped in the deer droppings in order to tell how fresh it was.  Just as that thought crossed my mind, a little smile came across my face as a I realized... I may not be a normal girl in this area.

So, on this thought.  Here is my list of things that may identify you as a fellow female hunter.  I know I'm not the only one out there.

You may be a female hunter if ....

1. You've ever stepped in elk or deer poop just to see if it is fresh
2. You have several pair of hunting boots lined up in your closet that almost exceeds your flip flop collection
3. You have a shot gun in your closet.. right next to your high heels
4. You aren't offended when your man talks about his "Hot Lips" or "Hoochie Mama"
5. You understand the importance of being scent free, and actually rejoiced when you learned there is such a thing as scent free shampoo, conditioner, and yes... lip gloss
6. You've eaten an MRE in the woods and actually enjoyed it
7. You are okay with the mounts on the wall and wish the biggest one was yours.. or maybe it even is!
8. You have to thoroughly check your purse for shotgun shells before going to the airport
9. The Cabellas side walk sale is an annual event in your household
10. You've decorated your camper in camouflage
11. You think staying on the hiking trail is boring
12. Given the choice of a grimy public bathroom or a pine tree in the woods, the pine tree always wins
13. and finally... You keep your small game hunting tag in your purse - just in case!