I felt a little out of place sitting in the restaurant in my camo, hair a mess from wearing a hat all morning. We were just taking a little break from archery hunting and planned to head back out after lunch. At the table across from us, a couple kept stealing glances at us - at least it felt like they did.
Phil left the table for just a few moments and I sat there alone and uncomfortable, until our server came by. She smiled warmly at me and asked "were you hunting this morning?" When I replied, (feeling the stares from the other table) she asked if we had any luck. I told her about the bears my husband had seen heading in my direction and how I could hear them coming but never got a look at them. I almost expected a disapproving comment or condemning look but this young lady surprised me with her next statement:
"I'm going bear hunting next week!"
Instantly the couple at the other table vanished from my periphery. I was suddenly all in and animated, telling her how I would also be back next week and hoped to get my first bear. The conversation was much too short, as she had work to do and I had lunch to finish, but it had been the best personal encounter I'd had in a long time. Finally! Another female who hunts!
I know there are a lot of women hunters out there but I don't have that kinship with any females I know personally, other than my fifteen-year-old daughter. We can talk to our friends and relatives about hunting and fishing but we don't get that 'oh, me too!' response that instantly connects kindred spirits. Some are kind enough to listen to our hunting tales and encourage us in the activity they know we love. Some adopt a better-you-than-me attitude and show nothing but amusement in our stories. Then there are those who disapprove and go all out to make it known. Those who think all deer are named Bambi and all hunters hate animals.
So this blog is going to be my outlet for my hunting stories. I don't always succeed on the hunt. But every outing is a memory. If you know exactly what I mean by that, welcome to my blog. :-)
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