Not a Blood Thirsty Trophy Hunter!

A common misconception about hunters that I see thrown about on social media is that we are all just a bunch of gun loving, blood thirsty, trophy chasers.  Unfortunately, very few non-hunters know how much time, care, love and attention goes into successful and ethical hunting.  Almost every hunter I know is also a conservationist that puts hours upon hours into improving the habitat in the areas that they hunt. 

Hunting is one of the most unique opportunities, a chance to view nature undisturbed.  Yesterday I woke up well before the sun, packed on my layers and headed out into the deep woods.  Hiking in as quietly as possible I climbed up into my tree stand to wait for the sun and hopefully an opportunity to take a mature deer.  The goal of a hunter is to blend in and go completely unnoticed.  So while I was sitting in my tree the woods came to life with the slow rising of the sun.  Right at first light a small  fawn came into the area and spent the next thirty minutes milling around, coming to within five yards of me without ever realizing I was there. 

Around the same time a flock of chickadees landed in the same tree that I was camped out in.  They were all around me singing and flitting from branch to branch even landing on the arm of my tree stand.  A much better way to spend a morning than sitting in a crowded, noisy coffee shop or on a commuter train.

The evening brought an even rarer surprise, a herd of bull moose.  Moose are generally solo animals so it was wonderful to see a herd consisting of six mature bulls.  It was rather foggy out so the pictures are not the best but here you go:

All were within 30 yards of the tree stand.  How often do you get to see a sight like this? 

Sadly I was not fortunate enough to have a mature deer come into the area.  Did I go home angry or frustrated?  If I were a "blood thirsty, trophy hunter" I may have.  However, I said a little prayer on my way home thanking God for another chance to view the beauty of his world from my quiet perch in that cozy little pine tree.