Bear Bums - Bear Hunting

I’ve admitted, years ago, hunting is extremely addicting. Like heroin, nicotine, caffeine and fish and chips, hunting can sneak up on one and latch on. My Dad, Prentice Smith, was a mailman making just over minimum wage. I recall the wonder I had that he left us (as little kids) and went to central Idaho to hunt elk in the Selway river country each September with my uncle Ned Hibbert. I think they too had the addiction. Sitting in the superintendent’s office after missing 2 weeks of school for an elk hunt with my dad at age 13, I recall trying to explain the addiction so I could get back in school.

I’ve tried all kinds of stuff to replace the control hunting has over me. Art, like the caricature, is an example. Photography was a good ploy until digital made me tilt with the added technology. There are other ways to satisfy the burn. Other personal examples are, blogging, web searching the hunting sites, raising horses or dogs, or fishing. I’ve tried substituting travel but noticed most of my travel swings right back to the north with at least a side of fishing or hunting. I’ve been known to check out turkey hunting in Hawaii or jaguar hunting in eastern Mexico. The ultimate was the time our family visited my in-laws in South Africa resulting in the harvesting of 13 different species of animals including a nice leopard.

Anyway, just an evening thought to perhaps prevent the booking of another hunt.

Our self guided bear hunt is getting closer. I’ve got to start thinking of the fishing part like hip waders with those funny belts and shoes, and groin blisters the day after the long hikes in those waders.