alone in the woods

I have spent many nights home alone, At least technically alone. When you are home alone you have a T.V. which talks at you, a telephone you can use anytime you wish, and the realization of all the neighbors in shouting distance. I have also spent many a night alone in the woods, really alone. I enjoy hiking but most dedicated hiker's would call me a slackpacker. I rarely hike for more than a few days at a time. Mostly I day hike, hunters like myself call it scouting however I prefer to call it exploring. On the occasions in my life when I actually had a free weekend outside of hunting season I enjoy taking to a trail for a overnighter. I enjoy solitude and you will never be more alone than sleeping in a tent 12 miles into the backcountry. It is dark, really dark. and there are no human sounds at all, no one to turn to. You do everything yourself. If you get hurt it is up to you to get yourself out of the situation. It is the definition of self reliance. I think that is really why some people are scared to sleep in the woods alone. The extra sensation and heightened awareness makes me feel alive. You should try it sometime, see what your made of. Walk till you are tired, make camp, feed yourself and sleep alone.... if you can.

Women should hunt, just not my wife

I believe love of the outdoors has nothing to do with your chromosomes because I have known many whiny men who can't stand to be in the woods for more than a few minutes.

It was 24 degrees and had just gotten dark. I could see my breath and frequent trips to the fire to re-warm the hands were necessary while we sat up camp on a poplar/hickory ridge near the big south fork river. The group of campers were diverse but experienced with the exception of one couple, Dave and Mary (I have changed their names to protect the innocent). The entire time we all worked in sub-freezing temperatures to make the camp comfortable Dave stayed by the fire whining and complaining about how awful this was and he was miserable and how is he supposed to sleep when he is this cold and on and on. I had bitten my tongue since I did not know Dave well but his girlfriend Mary had finally had enough and basically told him to man up or go home. She was tough and loved the adventure of being out of doors. I would share a duck blind with her any day if my wife didn't mind. I don't think Dave lasted very long, the last time I saw her, the wife and I had ran into her with a different guy at the Outback steakhouse where she immediately showed me pictures of the first buck she had killed on her cell phone. I think she found a guy she could leave at home while she brings home the back straps.

I recently read an article on the American spectator site about hunting. The author dogged women and basically said they should leave hunting to men for several ridiculous reasons. I say women should hunt if the want to and I would be glad to go hunting with a female, my daughter for instance. I think retrieving your protein from the wilds and cutting it up is a valuable lessen for any body, male or female. However I am glad that my wife has no desire to go hunting because we spend every waking moment working in concert to keep the train on the tracks any given day. It is not that she would be a bad hunting partner, its just she is already my partner in everything else. I think it is healthy for us to have some separate hobbies and interests which we do without one another.

I will give you an example. When I leave for a day of hunting we are excited, but we are also glad to see each other when I get home. She likes to go to fancy restaurants with her friends drink over priced fruity martini's and watch movies that end with a loved one dying, I don't go, that would ruin it for her, not because I don't know how to properly drink a martini, but she needs a break from me sometimes. I know it is hard to believe.

Always Hunting

While little RGD mugs for the camera (which he is famous for) Big RGD scans the hillside for the grey squirrel rustling leaves.

It tickles me when a photo tells the truth. My wife snapped this photo while her and my daughter awaited us on a trail during a recent family hike at Big Ridge State Park. I think it is telling, even when the law forbids the taking of animals to eat I can't stop my instinct to constantly scan my surroundings for that tale tale flash of a tail or glint of an eye. I think sometimes i like being outdoors because its my natural habitat, just like west town mall is Mrs. RGD's natural habitat.

Remember the old tag line "take a kid fishing", I would like to change it to "take a kid outside". Maybe I am lowering expectations but I believe kids will love the outdoors if given a chance. I think outdoors beats video games every time you try it.

A Nuge influence

Ted Nugent has not been a political or musical role model to me, however his passion and love for independence and an outdoor way of life sends chills down my spine. Hearing him belt out "back strap fever" from a tree stand on the outdoor channel made me believe he wasn't just another trophy hunting T.V. host but a true outdoorsman who understands conservation ( taking does out of a population is necessary). And that he understands that taking an animal's life is not just sport but necessary if one intends to eat it. I despise people who call themselves sportsman but don't eat deer (or what ever they choose to hunt). That catch fish only to release them. I call catch and release torture. I call keeping the fish to feed my family fishing. Ted gets excited about the culinary aspect of being self-sufficient enough to retrieve his own dinner from the wilds and cook it up. It is a good feeling to rely on no one but yourself for food. For those out there that only know the Motor City Madman from his Rock and Roll or his many appearances on T.V. defending the NRA, you must watch his show "The spirit of the Wild", listen to his song about Fred Bear, or simply read his books ; Kill it and Grill it, or Blood Trails I and II and you will become a fan of the Nuge. I wish I could derail this Anti-hunting friendly sportsman movement that apologizes for killing animals. They use words like harvest instead of kill. I don't know about you guys, but I have never harvested squirrels but I sure have killed and skinned a lot of them. In one of the most ridiculous moments on T.V. I have ever seen, Jimmy Houston a famous fisherman and T.V personality tried to sell the Idea of hunt and release. He scouted , Climbed a tree stand, and when the deer walked by he said Bam got him, but did not shoot. I hate to tell Jimmy but he didn't get anything. He should really take up hiking and photography if that is what he wants to do. For myself I would pay money to see Ted Nugent kick Jimmy Houston's a** on pay per view. Got to go, my wife just finished putting the final touches on some deer tenderloin and if I don't get to the table the kids will eat it all. Just remember we are still part of the circle of life, I eat deer and earthworms will one day eat me.

To my Health

I am a young man of 34 years and I am active but a year ago I decided to quit using smokeless tobacco ( we call it dip in E. Tennessee). I loved dip for its calming effect but hated it for the control it had over me. I had to quit, my son was getting old enough to ask "whats in you mouth daddy" . Granted I gained some weight (close to 40 lbs) over this time which is expected. I was not at the least worried I still was real active and did not feel that bad, but I decided to go to a new doctor and get a complete physical prior to changing my calorie intake seriously and losing weight. It turns out that I'm not the only one to get fat, my liver is fatty as well, and my cholesterol is up and my try-glycerides are high what ever they are. So this year not only do I propose to explore the outdoors more and protect the groundwater of Tennessee but I must get healthy. Right now I weigh about 235lbs and my cholesterol is at 269. I will keep you updated on my health and where those numbers go in the future. I see this as an excuse to go fishing more. Fish are good for lowering cholesterol. My Goals are cholesterol under 200 and weight under 170. wish me luck.

We can all be angels

I have a neighbor who lost her husband and her son to sudden death and lives alone making her quite the busy body. Even though the lady irritates me by having her nose in everyone's business in the cul-de-sac I found myself compelled to cross the street and help her one day as she struggled with a bush she was trying to remove from next to her porch. She thanked me over and over, told me about loosing her son, and while I was trying to leave I felt the need to say something nice back to her since she was bragging on me so much. I said "I appreciate you keeping an eye on my kids when they are outside" or something like that it really meant nothing to me. Two years later for some unknown reason while I was having some trials in my life, and whining about them every chance I got, again I saw the lady raking leaves in her yard and decided to help her. So with the excuse of wanting the leaves for a leaf pile for the kids I proceeded to remove the leaves with a rake and a tarp. After some small talk she surprised me by saying that the words I said to her two years ago had saved her life, that when she felt alone and useless my comment made her believe she could have purpose again. She said I was her angel that day. Wow I thought, God works in mysterious ways. He not only used me to help the lady through a difficult time but helped me to realize how trivial my problems are. It seems angels come in all shapes and sizes even short surly outdoorsmen. Sometimes you touch other people without even knowing it.

Merry Christmas

I only feel free in the woods

My home state of Tennessee is abuzz with talk of the debate tonight in Nashville between two men looking to use the power of government to "Give" stuff to people or to fix all our problems by spending money we don't have on more programs we don't need. I have now realized that Americans no longer want to be free because they might fail and have to suffer. they would rather demand others (the government) insure there future. The only problem with that is that we can't afford as a nation to take care of everybody. I have mentioned before that I love to do multi-day hikes because of the sense of independence and self-reliance it brings me. I do not understand why people don't crave that in everyday life, It seems natural to me. I have heard conservatives say they wish they had another Ronald Reagan. I say he did nothing to change the tide of state dependent, lazy, helpless people. He simply cut taxes and grew government, just at a slower rate. I wish we had another Thomas Jefferson, I get chills when I read his first inaugural address he made in 1801. You will not hear anything resembling any of Jefferson's beliefs tonight at the debate just more promises to take care of us since that seems to be what Americans want. Everybody wants something from the government, either "free" health insurance or to punish gays with legislation. I am saddened by politics I guess I had better plant a garden, and go hunting.

Capstick Haters

One true joy in my life has been living out high adventure in Africa through the pen of the late Peter Capstick. Books such as Death in the Long Grass grabbed my attention and kept me turning pages. Capstick described outdoor experiences in an entertaining manner I could understand. He also gave voice to my belief that the best way to save a species from extinction was to give it value. People pay alot of money to go on safari and that money is used for conservation. I have recently read some blogs that say he stretched the truth. It always tickles me when someone who was not there wants to pretend to be an expert on what someone else did. I don't care if he took creative liscense, I enjoy his writings. One example I saw used by an arm chair expert was that Capstick over played the danger posed by Hippos. All I have to say to that is why don't you fly to Africa and pet a Hippo on the head then call me. God bless you Mr. Capstick, you are sorely missed in a time where the articles written by so called sportsmen remind me more of a P.E.T.A flyer than a hunting story. If Mr. Capstick was alive now he would be ashamed to see hunters writing apology pieces instead of extolling the virtues of a good stalk.

All land is not equal

Today I evaluated the soil on a 12 acre tract of land for a nice man. I hated to tell him it was no good for septic systems. I want people to be able to develop their land but it still amazes me that people decide to use their land in a certain way even though it is not suited for it. I wish people could see past setting rental trailors up and look for other ways of utilizing their land. I love to see local farmers having pumpkin patches and corn mazes to increase income without breaking the farm into a subdivision. Farms are great wildlife habitat. All land lends itself to a certain use, don't try to force what you want on to land that is not suited for it. Find land elsewhere and let someone else buy the land that intends to utilize it in the best way.

Wonderlust

I sit here at my computer after a long day at work. My children are tucked into bed. My wife is at work (I work days, she works evenings). Sometimes I let it get me down. Sometimes I still manage thankfulness for all I have. Other times I just yearn for a campfire and the knowledge of what is over the next ridge. I feel at ease in woods. I feel confident and never lack for the correct course of action. I can better predict the actions of a wild animal Than that of my wife of eight years. I believe it to be ironic that the natural tallents I was born with are more suited to life one hundred years ago. Today, The skills needed to interact in a feminized society are much more difficult for me. The constant struggle to fit the times and just survive in a world full of people popping anti-depresents and believing the world revolves around them drains me. Funny how I would rather solve problems like food and shelter than how to navigate relationships with people who's actions impact my family.The one saving grace is that there is still ample wildland left for me to escape to and recharge.

Turkey Day

There is a reason to be thankful on thanksgiving and it is turkey. We have these wonderful birds just roaming free, available to anyone willing to brave the outdoors and out smart these big breasted birds. I don't think enough people appreciate the fact that everything needed to survive is just outside. This is why conservation is so important and I believe that the best way to save the natural world is to convince people that land is more valuable (even monetarily) as a stand of woods than as condos. I think the best example of it working is in S. Africa where elephants were on the brink of extinction. Africans killed them because they were in competition with cattle which the Africans perceived as more valuable. When in fact sport hunting of elephant has brought far more money to the locals. Since then hunting preserves were set up so people could spend insane amounts of money to shoot one elephant. The potential profits have motivated people to preserve the habitat and work to increase the numbers of elephant so they can sell more permits to would be hunters. There are more elephants in Africa now than anytime in recent history. Whatever people place value on will be protected. More people simply need to value the outdoors the way I do. I paid the state of Tennessee $1200 for a hunting license because I value it. Now the state of Tennessee has bought additional land finishing the Cumberland wildlife corridor. Money makes the world go around, we just need to value nature more than concrete.

Broke down

The radiator on my truck busted today leaving me with no transportation or money until after the holiday. This means no hunting this weekend most likely. I saw a flock of 20 plus turkey in a big cow pasture at the end of Farmall rd. in maynardville today but was unable to secure any hunting privileges. It reminds me of the success TWRA has had with wild turkey in Tennessee. I have disagreed with a lot of things that the agency has done but I cannot argue with the shear numbers of turkey roaming around East Tennessee now. It used to be a special thing to see some turkeys just 10 years ago, now I see them almost everyday. being outside all the time is something I love about doing environmental work. I left work early today because of the truck breaking down but don't worry I was able to make the best of it by raking leaves and playing in the pile with the kids. They Know how to have fun.

day dreaming

I have not gotton to go afield much recently. my wife has had to work evenings and weekends while I work during the day so that one of us are always with our children. I am not a big believer in daycare. I still day dream about hunting and hopefully over the holiday I will be able to steal a couple of hours to sit over my favorite trail in Jacksboro. It will take more than one deer to feed my family this year. I am still looking forward to the annual camping trip I take with the guys to big south fork usually at the end of January. We do a lot of hiking and hunting(usually hogs are in season plus what ever small game we can find)but mainly we camp. in the middle of nowhere as far away from civilization as possible. The group of guys I go with have been my friends most of my life. They are a rough bunch but some of the best woodsmen you will ever meet. We enjoy acting like pioneers. I can't wait to blog about whatever happens this year. In the past mother nature always has something for us from the wildlife to snow storms and of course there was the year that a drunken member of the party decided to chainsaw a tree down in the middle of the night. In the middle of camp of course. It should be exciting as ever and I can't wait.