3 Comments

Wow, Alice! Your insights in to the male ego as hunter hit the ten circle in a bullseye mark. My hunting career started out similarly, but as a young, sensitive male teenager, I wanted nothing more than to be welcomed in to the stereotypical image of manhood. Trauma changed all that and I found myself in the woods alone. It took a very long time to recognize the desire to see myself as "belonging" and with the help of John Denver's music, particularly "The Eagle and the Hawk," I recognized that I just might represent the true essence of men's need to "prove themselves" was not the size of the rack, the weight of a turkey, or the mastery of a double haul cast. It's really just about the connection to the present. My wife has been accepted into our camp's inner circle and my relationship with other men is all about shedding that outer layer of superiority and recognizing that we are all here for one thing - connection. Bless you for your observations in this piece. Carry On Spirit Warrior!

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You obviously have great taste in music. I do think my drive to prove myself has always been about being accepted. I almost always feel like an outsider. I hadn't really thought about that until I read your comment. I think that's worth exploring next time I'm in a treestand and have a few hours to kill.

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Alice I think we're all still trying to prove ourselves. Great article. We love living in Colorado but property prices have gone sky high and Denver/Boulder dominates policy.

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