Morning Quote.........

[snag]

"By the glow of the campfire we broil savory loin steaks (vension), and when done eating, we sit in the gloaming and watch the stars come out. Great Orion shines in all his glory, and the Hunters' Moon rises golden and full through the skies.
 Drowsy with happiness, we nestle down in our sleeping bags, resting on a bed of fragrant boughs, and dream of the eternal chase."-Saxton Pope from "Hunting With the Bow and Arrow".

In a hunting world of fist-pumping and endlessly chasing the biggest trophy, often not being fulfilled because of this singular goal, this quote is comforting and fulfilling in it's own way. It is the thrill of the hunt, the sharing of the experience with others, and the blessing of sitting before God in all His glory as His creation shines in the night sky as a vision of His awesome greatness and love for us. It is a bonus if your belly is full from the rewards of your skillful and often lucky journey afield.

By reading this book I will be mindful of the next trip into the high places how spoiled I am. I will sleep in my high-tech fabric tent upon my non-recycleable soft foam pad and think of Pope, Compton, and Young as they went into the woods with only 20lbs of provisions on their back for a week. They killed game for their meat cache, not so they could run back into town and show off the large elk rack and receive pats on their backs. They were as close to living off the land for that week as a white man could be. The gratification and fullness from sharing this experience was their reward, their goal. Thank you Mr. Saxton for reminding me of this.

[Rick Butler]

Great post Snag.
That one stirs the Hunters Soul.

[centaur]

Thanks for posting. A bit of a reality check for all of us.

[Ron LaClair]

Yes indeed...

 

[wapiti792]

That my friends, along with Ron's campfire photo, is why we are different from those folks who hunt for the gratification of others. We are a selfish lot...we do this thing because we love it and want to bask in glow of the campfire of others who love it  

Ahhhhh....this is the life!!

There is nothing wrong with the trophy, the mistake is what we consider to be the trophy.

Seems that the older I get, the truer it is..
Gotta have it!  

[Mudd]

A very fine thread David.

It makes me long to start building some memories with some of the awesome people who frequent this place.


God bless,Mudd

[Michigan Mark]

Tony, I mount every deer that mother nature has provided on the end of a fork.

[mcgroundstalker]

... And I thought it was only me.    Great Thread!

... mike ...

[highelk]

Good stuff for sure!!
Thank you  

[GO Rogers]

Ilove the campfire scene! Peace be with you.......

[wooddamon1]

Very heartening thread.Reminds me to be proud of this great lifestyle we've all chosen...great picture,Mr. LaClair!

[ArkyBob]

Great thread.  Thanks for sharing with us!!!!!!!.  

BOB

[Elkchaser]

Thank you Snag. Great inspiration.
Love the camp photo Ron.

[Steve Clandinin]

Snag,thats what its all about.This is the thing we can't put into words why we do what we do .I feel for non-hunters that will never experience our feelings only there ancesters before them felt this way and only in a generation or two so many have lost so much.The feeling in me of what you just described will die in me when they lay me to rest.Kudus my friend.

[Tater]

Well said.

  Thanks David for the post...

[youngarcher1]

makes me wish it was fall more then usual

[Mr.Vic]

Nice to hear stories from others who know what hunting and being in the outdoors is all about. And really getting the true meaning behind it. And not Perverting it for money to reach self gratification or boost ego's. Walk in Beauty brothers.  

[EL Mejor]

Good choice of words of inspiration....thanks

[LONGSTYKES]

Very good posting. I have so many memories of the past and hopes of many more in the future.

God Bless Don