Great stuff, Jesse. I was talking about that "point of no return" with a non-hunting buddy today. He was telling me how he watched a deer the other day in his backyard and couldn't imagine killing it. I think that's a decision you need to have made long before you head out into the woods -- otherwise, it's a dishonor to you and to the animal.
Yes, well said. That point is one I think people can get close to…with a camera, going out in the woods with a hunter. But that threshold space is ripe for exploration.
The art, the act of good hunting: "Shoot to kill, and you’ll likely have to watch it die, which is your obligation, your duty, what you owe to the animal."
Jesse, Finally took the time to read this. Very grateful. Your courage to face the fact that our hunting is killing, and it can indeed be noble when done with consciousness and intention as you have. Thank you!
Such a fine portrait of total immersion (flow) in an activity, Jesse. Spice’o’life!
And praise be for NSAIDs. Aleve is my drug of choice for post-hiking/gardening aches. I remember younger days when I didn’t need such pharma assistance. Oh well.
Great stuff, Jesse. I was talking about that "point of no return" with a non-hunting buddy today. He was telling me how he watched a deer the other day in his backyard and couldn't imagine killing it. I think that's a decision you need to have made long before you head out into the woods -- otherwise, it's a dishonor to you and to the animal.
Yes, well said. That point is one I think people can get close to…with a camera, going out in the woods with a hunter. But that threshold space is ripe for exploration.
I can really feel this one. Thanks for sharing.
The art, the act of good hunting: "Shoot to kill, and you’ll likely have to watch it die, which is your obligation, your duty, what you owe to the animal."
Thank you, Stacy.
Jesse, Finally took the time to read this. Very grateful. Your courage to face the fact that our hunting is killing, and it can indeed be noble when done with consciousness and intention as you have. Thank you!
I appreciate your acknowledgement and kind words, Bradley. Thank YOU.
Looking forward to meeting up this winter.
“Where to go?” is persistently the question.
Somehow, knowing you are always asking yourself this question is comforting to me. I ask it all the time, but I thought it was because I was a newbie.
Ha ha. Yeah, and I’m also checking the weather continuously. I wish there was only weather app/service!
Hell yes: "Shoot to kill, and you’ll likely have to watch it die, which is your obligation, your duty, what you owe to the animal."
A cyclical, attuned, truly human sentiment.
Great piece Jesse.
Thanks, Sam. The notion that one can only do the first half of the deed is absurd. They go hand-in-hand.
Such a fine portrait of total immersion (flow) in an activity, Jesse. Spice’o’life!
And praise be for NSAIDs. Aleve is my drug of choice for post-hiking/gardening aches. I remember younger days when I didn’t need such pharma assistance. Oh well.
Thank you, Baird. Yeah, it’s a nice hack to make it through the day when the miles add up.
I feel this in my bones. Powerful essay!
I appreciate that, Erik.
Great article Jesse!
Thanks, Jeff!