Finding perspective in the smoke

I won't make this a lengthy post. It doesn't end with horn porn glory shots. My elk hunt started very hot and very smoky as many other hunts did for all of you.



Elk were a scarce commodity. I hunted harder and tried everything I could think of. I almost didn't go this year because of a pending home sale, but my wife convinced me to go anyway. Because of this, I made sure to keep in close cell contact.



Halfway through the hunt I received a text about a school shooting very close to home. We have friends whose kids go to school there. I spent the next couple of hours trying to find out if their kids were safe. One of my daughter's friends was shot and wounded. I wondered how the students there would ever feel safe again.



I hunted harder to no avail. I prayed for students and parents. I was relieved to find we didn't know the student who died, but all the same, he was someone's son and shouldn't have been murdered at age 15.



Shitty hunting turned the focus of the hunt to comraderie. I spent a day hunting with a guy who I met in the woods, and enjoyed it immensely.



Long days made time slip by quickly.



Unique perspectives are there if you look for them.



Enjoy your season friends, but most of all, hug your loved ones and appreciate the friends you've been blessed with along the way. Both old and new.

Sometimes killing an animal is the least important part of a hunt. Sorry to hear about your daughter's friend.

Great perspective and well stated JLS. Sorry for the terrible tragedy that your community and friends are having to live through. The school I teach in is having a lockdown drill this week to prepare our students in case such a situation happens at our school. This drill is now done two to three times a year, and is a necessary precaution we go through to live in our present day society.

I'm glad the hunt brought you perspective. I find that out and about, alone, more than during my "normal day". Thank you for sharing.

I hope your daughter's friend recovers ok. Outside of that, very nice post.

Thoughtful share, thanks.