| Outdoor Truths: Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ Oct. 20th |
Gary Miller ~ outdoortruths.org
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The pictures are flying in. They’re coming from everywhere from Maine to Missouri and from Texas to Tennessee. The hunt is on. Bears and birds, ducks and deer; it seems that most hunters are filling tags and freezers. And the next two months will probably be even better as the ducks move south and the deer begin to rut.
For years, the annual opening day for hunting has been more like a national holiday. It has been observed since hunting was actually segregated into seasons. And while the archer is the first to get in the woods to chase deer; it is the opening day of rifle season that has become the most anticipated day. This day brings out not only the serious outdoorsman, but also the guy or gal who simply looks forward to a few days each year of getting away with a few other folks, sitting in a hunting house, and waiting on a buck to enter the crosshairs of the scope on their gun. The old and young are both members of this great club and many times, the hunting cabin will be home to granddad, dad, and son during this special day.
I’m always amazed at how hunting and fishing seems to bridge all sorts of generational, relational, gender, and even racial gaps. I know of nothing else that can be enjoyed with equal passion and requires limited ability than the hunt. It is a great platform for relationship building and for imparting subtle wisdom to those who may need to hear the truths of life in an unintimidating setting. Even as I write, I am thinking about how I will try to guide my own grandson’s life by taking him hunting and fishing. The time waiting on fish to bite or a deer to show up will not be wasted or unproductive. It will be the real reason for our trip and the real harvest will be long after the actually day itself. The hunt will simply be his marker to remember. And while he may be able to tell others about his success in the field, he will hopefully recall a life lesson that helped mold the man he wants to be.
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