Traditions of Hunting

Traditions of Hunting

November 4, 2015

Deer opener is right around the corner, and hunters around Leech Lake are preparing for the hunt. While the ultimate goal of hunting is often to bring venison home for you and your family, it is not the only reason to get out in the deer stand this weekend. Many people get out to hunt to disconnect from the fast-paced way of life and to honor family traditions.

A family’s hunting tradition often brings three generations of families together. Through making lists, divvying up responsibilities, and gathering supplies – comradery is born through the simple act of planning. Once up north, hunters have yearly traditions they honor. Some traditions include visiting the same bars and restaurants, others include cooking and enjoying traditional meals (such as a venison steak from a deer from the previous year), while others involve storytelling and teaching young hunters about all that hunting has to offer. Lessons and rituals are taught throughout generations, and life time memories are made.

While out in the deer stand, you have the ability to experience nature in its truest and most simple form. Sitting quietly while waiting for a deer, other wild life will lend itself toward you. Foxes may come play around your feet, and squirrels will seem as if they are having conversations with you. You  have the time to sit and enjoy the crackling of the trees and the rustling of the leaves that may have otherwise been tuned out. Hunting often provides hunters a time to slow down and disconnect. With the need to stay silent and focused, there is no consistent bing of the phone reminding you of what you should be doing, and no WiFi to keep you distracted. Hunting provides some of the only time when we can truly disconnect with our fast paced every day and reconnect with things that really matter: traditions and nature.

Do you have any hunting traditions? Share with us in the comments below.

Good luck and be safe, hunters! We’ll see you in Leech Lake soon.