I as well feel sorry for those who do not experience the outdoors.  The wonder of the woods.  I love to go in, and hate to come out. I always have the memories.  The owl that coasted by at 8 ft off the ground, the black squirl that almost sat on my boot, the young buck who came to within 4 ft trying to figure out the smell of garlic (don't ask).  All my memories of hunts past are what get me throught the times in the city, and the rat race.  I wonder what those who do not have my memories use to get by.  I think I will make some new memories this weekend.  

I drive for a car service and it amazes me how many people, especially the younger ones, are so oblivious to the environment. The leaves have been in peak colors, I love this tme of year. I am thinking of being in the woods while driving. Most of the young people can't get their eyes off their phones, either talking or texting. I'll sometimes point out a particularly beautiful tree, in color or shape.  I'll also point out wildlife to them. Most times they just grunt and go back to texting or playing games on the phone. The older folks are better, they are glad to be out, though we're usually going to a medical appointment. Sometimes I get a passenger that is actually interested and asks questions. I feel sorry for them since it's generally not their fault where they grew-up, and what they were taught growing-up. I was lucky my Dad was a country boy from the mountains of W.Va./MD, and he taught me the woods and hunting, even though we lived in the city. If not for my Dad I'd be just like them, oblivious to the wonders of the outdoors.

Oh, to hear the distant squirrels sound off as the redtail makes his way silently thru the woods. I know exactly where he is according to the squirrels crys. He come thru exactly where he did yesterday and jets directly towards a solid wall of laurel and briars. He picks his spot, folds up his wings and shoots thru the other side, wings wide open again and continues on his way...all without a single sound. All except for the squirrels, that is...

Oh yea, I can dig it!

JL

Some people just don't get it."Hey you gonna sit in a tree this weekend?" Sure you never know when a Blackcapped Chickadee is gonna land on your shoulder, or watch a little Sparrow hawk grab a Hen Pheasant that's bigger than him out of the air and bring it to the ground, or watch a Bobcat run past you, or listening to the coyotes at dark, or have an immature Red Tailed Hawk try to take the beaver balls off your bow string. To me being in the woods at Grey light right before the sun comes up and having the woods wake up is sometimes enough for me to make my day.How  about the smell of a pine forest after a rain? When they can bottle that smell I'll buy a bottle for sure.This is my therapy.

Bentpole, well said brother. how about the complete silence of a heavy snow storm, the cleansing blow of a gentle wind, whispering pines that talk to each other in their own language, these are the things that are so special yet so over looked.

When you have to answer the question Did you get anything? with no and you get that look of then why do you hunt.  I just laugh inside "They have no clue!"  Maybe it was the bobcat 3 feet away or watching a fisher cat chasing a squirel up a tree or being stalked by 3 coyotes to get the blood rushing. That's Why!!  As others have said, the beauty and magic that occures when we slow down and become part of the woods, fields,and animals.  That's why I hunt and always will.  Bringing something home for the table is just the cherry on top of the sundae.

Ken you nailed it. The complete silence of a snowstorm. If there is anything more peaceful or serene than watching the snow fall silently while sitting in a stand of oaks, I haven't found it yet. I feel closer to God there than anyplace I've yet to go.