Today I went out and scouted the area that I drew an Antelope tag for. Unusual I am sure for the rest of the country, but not for Oregon ( typical), is that I have a tag for Antelope in a Unit that is pretty much forested! No open fields etc, like anywhere else.

The tag is for East Slope Antelope, the Western Boundary is Crater Lake Park. I hunt Elk on the West Side of Crater Lake.

The altitude is about 5500 feet, and their are several large peaks in the area that are above 9,000 feet or so.

Entering the area off of Hwy 138 just past Crater Lakes North Entrance, I stopped. Two other hunters who will be bow hunting for deer in September were also scouting the area. Like all hunters we talked for a bit. No matter what our game, or what our Weapon of choice We are all a brotherhood in the game fields. We all talked of owning our own businesses so that we could have more time off to hunt, and to enjoy what Oregon has to offer.

I spent probably 5 hours scouting out the area. I never saw another soul. What I did see was beautiful ponderosa forests, several deer, grouse, and a " flash" of some animal off in the distance multiple times. Mountain peaks to my North, West and South, clear blue sky with hardly a cloud in the sky. Temp was probably about 75 degrees at that altitude.

Getting an animal this season is of minor importance. What is of great importance, is that in todays hurry hurry world, and all of our social problems, when you meet most other hunters in the woods, there is that Hunting Brotherhood. Almost everyone is friendly to each other, the way the country use to be.
Everyone is equal. " what caliber are you shooting" is always discussed " Seen anything?"

Getting to see God's creation of beauty in the world, and the animals of mother nature roaming the forests. I even use to feel that way, when I was sitting in a tree stand at 30 below zero in Northern Minnesota, not being able to feel my toes. Mother nature was beautiful ( even if I was friggin freezing!).

We are not so lucky to be able to hunt as we are being a few of the chosen who still appreciates the " really" good things our society still has to offer. I just hope my 9 yr old son will get to experience the same thing when he is my age.

The experiences gained in Hunting are still one of Gods gifts.

Great post I'm with you 110%

Seafire,

Even when I was very young I used to count the days to camping time. There is really nothing in the world like total solitude in a pristine alpine setting. And you never know what your going to see there, a deer, an elk, a whole herd. On some recent "getting in to shape hikes" I have been happening across some diamondback rattlers, not exactly what I was hoping for but it wasnt boring either.

Just a couple days ago I was talking with my sister about our differences, she likes civilization, I hate the concrete jungle. Some people just get it and some dont I guess.

Thanks for sharing that, seafire.
That pretty much sums up the way I feel about hunting, and more importantly, being outside.

A lady friend of my wife's asked my about my mule deer hunt in NM this year, and "just couldnt understand why ANYBODY would want to be a hunter".

I answered that " I didnt understand why I loved to hunt, stalk my prey, and then kill the very thing that I love.But, I obey that primal urge".

Most men, when they were young, wanted to be a cowboy, or a soldier, policeman, or something that had a element of danger and adventure to it.

Then we grew up...and traded our dreams of hidden treasure, chasing wild Indians, etc., for a 9-5 job in a cubicle in some high rise building somewhere. What a shame...that young dreamer became a cog in a wheel, a number on a time card.

I still dream of distant lands, seculded cabins on the tundra, tracking, stalking and killing of game to live.

May all our dreams of youth be realized in this life, or the one to come...sakofan..

Sako:

Your response sounds like why I was motivated to move to Oregon. Got to the point in life, that I don't need all that corporate 9 to 5 dysfunction. 10 miles out of town and I am at 4,000 feet or so mountains as far as the eye can see. Get up on some peaks, and I can see snow capped peaks that are 150 to 200 miles away.

My county is the size of Rhode Island or more, has a population of 40,000 people and 75 % of the land is either BLM land, state forest or National Forest.

As for your wife's friend, Why she does not see why anyone one want to hunt? The last reason I hunt is too shoot game. If it presents itself, and the animal is worth taking, and I plan to eat it, or give the meat to someone else I will take it. I don't hunt just to be able to kill something.

When I am asked the similar question, my usual response is, " I want to be a hunter for the same reason you chose to be an anti gun/ animal rights liberal...." Choice.

I commune with Mother Nature by being out in it.
Not driving up to the mountains in my Eddie Bauer Edition SUV, and my $200.00 hiking shoes, and my latest " let's go hiking outfit from LL Bean", so I can call myself an experienced outdoors type for the next time I go to a " save the 'whatever' rally"

We live in a society that has become a haven for self professed know it alls, who criticize everything they know nothing about, and do it with the self righteousness as if it was the words of God.

God gave us Mother Nature, Mankind gave us Hippies, Liberals and Yuppies.

[ 08-16-2003, 10:32: Message edited by: seafire ]

Seafire,
I have not even been out this year been spending much more time on my favorite hobby of weightlifting, man do i miss sitting on a mountainside in the snow, everything is quiet. Awesome! No snow now but i need to get out and go for a hike in the woods!

Hi Seafire
I share too your admiration for the forest and animals and all wildlife and the lord who created them all.indeed i don't kill animals often . i do shoot many thousends of rounds yearly ,but maybe only one or twice at animals and some times even not at all. dispite paying a lot of money for being out for hunting. the forest is like a church for me there i can talk to the lord alone and meditate and bring force to myself.
regards
danny

Seafire,

I thank the Lord every day for the experiences that I have had living here in the midwest. I live in a Valley that hasn't changed much in the last 100 years( that's about to change due to older people dieing off and property being sold to investors). I grew up hunting with my Dad, Uncles, Grandfather, and Brother. Some of my fondest memories are of being at Grandad's house at deer season when everyone came to deer hunt. My daughter turns 8 in October and has asked to hunt in the youth deer hunt this fall. I hope she learns to love the hunt as much as I have.