I’d been hunting with my dad a dozen or more times before I got to go out with my own gun (around 10 years old)..We sat all day and saw nothing, and as we walked out of the woods a guy we were hunting with said “good, now you’re not spoiled”.
I never forgot it. It forever framed what this particular pursuit is all about, the part that gets watered down by editing the experience down to the “coolest” parts.
Jiujitsu’s online presence can have the same effect. For some, instructional videos overload the system, flooding the viewer with hundreds of “surefire” ways to achieve a goal, all of which have to be “felt” in order to be applied to a fluid and dynamic contest. These are your “house boots”.
For others, highlight reels cheapen the best part of the whole thing- the process, the pursuit itself. Lacking realistic perspective, “glory” becomes the vision, and anything short of a trophy is a hollow failure.
I appreciate your perspective on this, and how it applies across all pursuits.
Damn, that guy had some wisdom: "good, now you're not spoiled," reveals quite a bit about his expectations and experience.
The churn of only the coolest parts and trophies ends up manipulating perspective (and ruining it?). True for adults, but I have some concern for he generation that's only known IG/TikTok as entertainment.
As you say, the pursuit is the best part. It's what makes the trophy a trophy. Without the struggle, it may as well be a canned hunt.
I'm really interested in your mention of glory in this; that's a whole other area to mine.
I know! I've been using them for years for hunting. I haven't googled it to confirm, but it seems inevitable that Voile or a competitor will realize this as a market and act accordingly.
Fantastic piece! The boots analogy really lands. "Digital comfort and safety" vs feet in situ captures something most people miss about any real pursuit. Testing gear in the living room tells you almost nothing compared to that icy rock ledge moment. Same applies to so many things we think we undrstand from screens alone.
Thank you; yes, I could not agree more. Essentially, if our world becomes mostly about looking at and manipulating electrons on a screen, it becomes easier to theorize about IRL experiences, but then never actually experiencing them (or attempting them and giving up quickly).
My bandit has hundreds of hours on it. Great pack. I go to nalgene in the pack when it gets cold, I've never been able to keep the bladder hose from freezing when it hangs in the air.
I’m really happy I discovered the Bandit. I have another larger Eberlestock pack I like too, but it’s overkill for gun seasons.
The problem I have with the Nalgene is this: if it’s not filled to the brim, them I can hear the water slosh with each step. I have a collapsable water bottle that can avoid this. With the bladder hose, I experienced the same as you. My solution was to tuck it inside the bag, against my back (heat) with it loosely packed in a spare beanie. So far, so good.
First aid: I oscillate on this one. I brought nothing this year other than emergency thermal blanket, birch bark/matches, and compass. (it’s a a different story for archery where I’m in a tree). I often hunt with some guys who bring less than me so it’s rubbed off. TBH though, I will likely pack a ¼ Gallon baggie with basics in the future (bandages, ointment).
I also have a larger Eberlestock with the gun sleeve. It’s outstanding for moving into turkey hunting locations and crossing no hunting zones—also for going into stands for deer hunting. I can fit a quilt [woobie,] puffy, extra hat and gloves and it sure is nice not to hand or sling carry a rifle on longer hikes.
Interesting, sloshing. I’m not much of a deer tracker, so water sloshing isn’t something I’ve noticed or thought about. The few tracks I have done have been close to the truck with no pack at all.
I got my Wilderness First Aid in the run up to getting my Maine Guide licenses. Listening to the stories from the longtime paramedic/instructor changed my view on going lightweight. In part because if you are out there enough, you’ll be happy you have some bandages, Coban wrap, gauze if you come across someone else whose hurt. Even without training you can do a lot with a wrap and some gauze.
I often go pretty far tracking, so weight is important, and ironically, so would be a med kit.
I also took WFA two winters ago, and after that, my pack grew with related supplies. And slowly, it's shrunk. You're right- those small items can make a big difference. I'm taking an EMT course in the spring, so I imagine the pendulum will swing back towards a more thorough kit.
You bought up both the simulacrum and panopticon. Both are wonderful methods of exploring our time and place—the "line" as you say. It is a war between participation and seclusion, all the more difficult because life is now digital when not in the woods. Looking forward to seeing how you navigate this novel space.
Choosing the right gear differs for everyone. I remember back to your earlier posts when you shared your gear lists, which is essentially the emergency stuff as well as the stuff to stave off emergencies - layers, nutrition, hydration.
Mindset though, you are doing what you need to do at this moment. Chores will wait - joy, purpose, intention, personal value - that is found in your hunts. Or at the very least, taking your gun for a walk.
Too often we do not give ourselves the permission to actually participate in what we enjoy. The other stuff is just stuff that may, or may not, need to be done.
Your perspective improves mine every time I read your writing. The wisdom in this piece expands to all domains of life in our digital times.
I tremendously value your analog and flannel insights!
Thank you, Kyle; that means a lot! Hoping to make more of these connections between natural and cognitive worlds. Reading your essays help too 👊🏼
Great piece.
I’d been hunting with my dad a dozen or more times before I got to go out with my own gun (around 10 years old)..We sat all day and saw nothing, and as we walked out of the woods a guy we were hunting with said “good, now you’re not spoiled”.
I never forgot it. It forever framed what this particular pursuit is all about, the part that gets watered down by editing the experience down to the “coolest” parts.
Jiujitsu’s online presence can have the same effect. For some, instructional videos overload the system, flooding the viewer with hundreds of “surefire” ways to achieve a goal, all of which have to be “felt” in order to be applied to a fluid and dynamic contest. These are your “house boots”.
For others, highlight reels cheapen the best part of the whole thing- the process, the pursuit itself. Lacking realistic perspective, “glory” becomes the vision, and anything short of a trophy is a hollow failure.
I appreciate your perspective on this, and how it applies across all pursuits.
Damn, that guy had some wisdom: "good, now you're not spoiled," reveals quite a bit about his expectations and experience.
The churn of only the coolest parts and trophies ends up manipulating perspective (and ruining it?). True for adults, but I have some concern for he generation that's only known IG/TikTok as entertainment.
As you say, the pursuit is the best part. It's what makes the trophy a trophy. Without the struggle, it may as well be a canned hunt.
I'm really interested in your mention of glory in this; that's a whole other area to mine.
Thank you, Tim.
Bravo. The frame of mind described here applies to everything. Inspired writing, Jesse. Thank you.
I appreciate it, Shelby!
Voile straps! They are the piece of gear that is infinitely useful but not many hunters have heard of or thought to take out of their ski pack!
I know! I've been using them for years for hunting. I haven't googled it to confirm, but it seems inevitable that Voile or a competitor will realize this as a market and act accordingly.
Thanks for reading, Melissa.
Fantastic piece! The boots analogy really lands. "Digital comfort and safety" vs feet in situ captures something most people miss about any real pursuit. Testing gear in the living room tells you almost nothing compared to that icy rock ledge moment. Same applies to so many things we think we undrstand from screens alone.
Thank you; yes, I could not agree more. Essentially, if our world becomes mostly about looking at and manipulating electrons on a screen, it becomes easier to theorize about IRL experiences, but then never actually experiencing them (or attempting them and giving up quickly).
My bandit has hundreds of hours on it. Great pack. I go to nalgene in the pack when it gets cold, I've never been able to keep the bladder hose from freezing when it hangs in the air.
Do you carry some first aid EQ?
I’m really happy I discovered the Bandit. I have another larger Eberlestock pack I like too, but it’s overkill for gun seasons.
The problem I have with the Nalgene is this: if it’s not filled to the brim, them I can hear the water slosh with each step. I have a collapsable water bottle that can avoid this. With the bladder hose, I experienced the same as you. My solution was to tuck it inside the bag, against my back (heat) with it loosely packed in a spare beanie. So far, so good.
First aid: I oscillate on this one. I brought nothing this year other than emergency thermal blanket, birch bark/matches, and compass. (it’s a a different story for archery where I’m in a tree). I often hunt with some guys who bring less than me so it’s rubbed off. TBH though, I will likely pack a ¼ Gallon baggie with basics in the future (bandages, ointment).
I also have a larger Eberlestock with the gun sleeve. It’s outstanding for moving into turkey hunting locations and crossing no hunting zones—also for going into stands for deer hunting. I can fit a quilt [woobie,] puffy, extra hat and gloves and it sure is nice not to hand or sling carry a rifle on longer hikes.
Interesting, sloshing. I’m not much of a deer tracker, so water sloshing isn’t something I’ve noticed or thought about. The few tracks I have done have been close to the truck with no pack at all.
I got my Wilderness First Aid in the run up to getting my Maine Guide licenses. Listening to the stories from the longtime paramedic/instructor changed my view on going lightweight. In part because if you are out there enough, you’ll be happy you have some bandages, Coban wrap, gauze if you come across someone else whose hurt. Even without training you can do a lot with a wrap and some gauze.
I often go pretty far tracking, so weight is important, and ironically, so would be a med kit.
I also took WFA two winters ago, and after that, my pack grew with related supplies. And slowly, it's shrunk. You're right- those small items can make a big difference. I'm taking an EMT course in the spring, so I imagine the pendulum will swing back towards a more thorough kit.
You bought up both the simulacrum and panopticon. Both are wonderful methods of exploring our time and place—the "line" as you say. It is a war between participation and seclusion, all the more difficult because life is now digital when not in the woods. Looking forward to seeing how you navigate this novel space.
Interesting times for sure, but I guess that has always been true.🙂
Thanks, Sam.
Choosing the right gear differs for everyone. I remember back to your earlier posts when you shared your gear lists, which is essentially the emergency stuff as well as the stuff to stave off emergencies - layers, nutrition, hydration.
Mindset though, you are doing what you need to do at this moment. Chores will wait - joy, purpose, intention, personal value - that is found in your hunts. Or at the very least, taking your gun for a walk.
Great perspective, Stacy, which I love hearing. Difficult to remember in the go-go-go culture of today.
Mindset is everything and takes time to maintain.
Thank you.
Too often we do not give ourselves the permission to actually participate in what we enjoy. The other stuff is just stuff that may, or may not, need to be done.
Here, here! Often, not doing has no consequences 🤣