First thing I thought of was Fred Bear  

I see a picture of things that when viewed by most people think this man is out of step with the world.
But I see a man who looks at these things and he is sure the world is out of step with just about everything.
Happy hunting George!

I see a finely made Canadian Jacket..

Read a lot of replies, and then went back and looked at the pic again.

Three words came to mind: "Old and new."

...or...

After considering that George was asking the question:  "Old and used."


     (Just funnin, George)

I see the spirit of a man whom respects both the animals that he hunts as well as the woods where they roam.

I see a man laying his gear out for the late Bow/Muzzle loader season!!!!!  

Gee George, your stuff looks just like mine!!!!!    

I see timeless tradition, both old and new.  A tradition we hold dear to our very souls.  I pray this tradition carries on to the next and the next and the next generations to come.  A tradition of peace, solitude and satisfaction.

I see my old shirt I lost years ago.


For real, I see the way it was, the way it is, The way it should always be....

Past, Present & Future of Archery.

it will shrink if you wash it, and it needs a few burrs!
Just kidding!
I see a MUCH simpler and more innocent time, when any buck was a trophy, and Does weren't considered "deer". When a man's word was law, and wasn't given lightly.
When few people used foul language, and women were treated with the respect they deserved.
When you could and did leave your house and car unlocked. Sadly, Those times are long gone.
GOD, I miss 'em, but George, they ain't ever coming back.

I see a man behind those items that I could sit down and have a conversation with and learn something worthwhile.  

My grandpa

Those times live on in our hearts and minds, and can be found a simple walk from the parked truck.  Times are what we make of them and the guy who owns the goods in the photo can walk away for awhile and absorb that time that is still there, but undetected by those who can not see.

The items are a metaphor, of course, and one can see by the responses that they can bring back memories or simply represent stuff.  One man sees a creek he must cross to further his hunt....and curses the creek and the ruination of his hunt.  Another man sees the creek and sees an opportunity to camp and fish...and a water supply for the flora and fauna.  One man sees an old shirt like his grandpap wore and is sent on a trip to the past.  Another person sees an old shirt.

A person looks upon the bicycle tube wrapped around an old bow and sees a travesty that needs to be sent to Goodwill or the flea market.  Another sees a wrinkled old hand, on a curmudgeonly figure who understands the grip works for him...is warm and comfortable and cost just pennies to apply.  One person sees a dirty old shooting glove.  Another sees an archer at full draw in a beautiful woods.  

What I see is the sport that I knew and still know.  I see an old bow that comforts the hand and warms the soul; one that can cast a heavy hunting arrow two hundred yards down range, or quickly through a whitetail's ribs and into the hinterland on the other side.  I see the hand of the man who crafted that bow in a factory in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, in 1957...I see the pride in his eyes as he finishes the polishing task before sending the bow to shipping.  I see Art Laha shooting a similar model in the Wisconsin woods while dressed in his checked wool.

When I look at the glove I see Glenn St.Charles standing in front of the Chalet near a well used mule deer migration trail.  He doesn't stand for long of course, that's why they nicknamed him "Ridgerunner George."  

The shirt reminds me of who I am and how I see my own life.  It's relatively simple, yet advanced to the point that I need to choose; whether to follow a never ending supply of things I can't live without, or understand that money will never buy real prosperity, it merely supplies us with creature comforts to dull the senses for what is real....faith, family and satisfaction in being who and what your are.

Of course it also allows me to keep warm during the cold Pennsylvania winters, when those trails are snowed-over and the creek more resembles a glacier.  I can see all of these things, and more in that photo.  Thanks for all of the responses, I enjoyed all of them.

Holy Crap!  All I saw was a bow, arrow and glove sitting on top of a red and black checked shirt.

Well,  there your are.

We are all different yet all the same, everyone's idea of why we are outdoors doing what we do is a personal thing and should be cherished and enjoyed. Thats all I have to say about that.   Thanks George for the thoughts. Ron W

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
I see a grizzled old timer who knows his way around in the outdoors as well as most people know their own homes.  He is successful on occasion, but that is not what drives him.  He is not concerned with image or what others think.  His sole motivation comes from the feelings inside, and the comfort and security  that familiarity provides.

Cool picture!    

Whip, you stole my answer, but you said it way better than I could have!  That is exactly what I was thinking, put into words.

Very nice indeed!!

Now I didn't read your answer of what the picture is supposed to mean but here's my thoughts. I wonder if I'm close to being right.

I see a man's time worn hunting gear waiting to get used. Used by someone who thinks that gadgets and camo are way to complicated. Someone who like myself longs and hungers for simpler times. A man who loves his time in the woods watching mother nature and given the chance the opportunity to make a clean and quick kill all the while treading lightly.

Wish I could share some time in the woods with more people like that. George keep me in mind next time you are out in the woods.

Well said, George.

It reminds me of the old pictures of Glen St Charles.  Is that odd?

Just read George's post above.  Guess I'm not crazy.