For Love of the Out-of-Doors

[David G Duncan]

Based on my experience and luck of having a wife that enjoys hunting, it seems that it was her love of being out-of-doors enjoying nature that was the key to her transition to hunting.

May be us husbands need to spend more none hunting time with our wives, just going for walks out in the woods to build up their appreciation of all there is to see and enjoy.

When was the last time you took your wife, girlfriend or daughter on a nature hike?

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Trapper Dave

[trout]

Trapper Dave,
Those who hunt and fish with their loved ones are really the happiest people,don't you think? Cindy and I will go driving the back roads if she's too tired.
We both enjoy the outdoors now.
At first she was leary of the woods ,she had a bad trip down the amazon once.
The couples we meet fishing are always very happy people...wonder why?????

[born2hunt65]

Hi Dave. I'm pretty lucky. My hubby incliudes me in alot of outdoor activities. It may not be as much as I would like but I guess guys need time by themselves as well as with other guys. That is hard for me to understand at times until I sit down and think about it. But you are right. I think some fellas feel if they show the females how fun the outdoors can be that they will loose the guy aspect of it all. They do not think of the long term affect that they will have a life long companion to share in the same interests. So many of the guys I know think my hubby is so lucky to have a wife who loves to hunt and fish, I often wounder if he truely thinks he is lucky or that he created a monster, lol. Well I am a monster I hunt and fish everyday I can, which is almost everyday. Right now I'm a fishing machine. Don't get me wrong I don't shoot everything that moves or keep every fish I catch. I just love being outdoors. Born

[David G Duncan]

Trout & Born,

Yes, I know how extremely lucky and happy I am since my wife has been sharing the places and activities that I love so much. A husband must be willing to make a commitment to spend the time necessary to make his wife's outings the best that they can possibly be.

It means lots of times sarificing his opportunities to shot the big buck in favor of putting her in that right spot, even though he knows that she still has a lot to learn and could blow the opportunity.

From my perspective I really enjoy playing the part of guide, even when it means that she can tell all our friends how she out hunted me and got her buck. I just smile knowing that I had a lot to do with putting her in the right locations.

This has been a ten year training program and now she really needs no help from me to find the right places to have me set up her stand. Some day she might even be hanging tree stands, but I hope not because I like being needed.

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Trapper Dave

[Steve]

Dave, some walks in the woods sounds like a good way to start.

[born2hunt65]

Dave maybe you can come up to the UP and teach the good ole boys a thing or 2,lol. So many guys here think it's a hinderence to do anything with a women let alone go on a hike. The guys that do are picked on by their male peers. It's truely sad to see how back woods most of the guys here think. That makes it even harder for a women that hunts. I'm so glad to visit this sight so I can see that all men are not alike. Thank you all so much for your open minds and willingness to include and except us girls. You guys are great. Born

[Oct.1]

Dave,
You hit the nail on the head.
Over the years I have had a great deal of enjoyment watching my wife learn what the outdoors is all about. She has always said that if she did'nt start doing the things I enjoy most, that she may not have anytime to spend with me.
I started my wife out slow, 32 years ago I took her camping for the first time in her life. Then over time it became boating, fishing, hunting, Ect. Ect.
I bought her a new shotgun for her birthday and she started Pheasant hunting with me and her way of life grew, not changed, but grew.
It bacame a thrill for me to listen to her tell others about the sounds that the critters make in the woods. One day we were just sitting on a fire trail and a large male Bald Eagle flew over tree top high, after that she was hooked.
The first time I took her deer hunting she put down a 172lb. buck after being in her ground blind for 20 min. She's now in a tree stands, has a few more deer to her count, and loving it. In fact we just returned from a wilderness fishing trip in northern onterio.
I know guys need some time by themselfs once in a while and I take that time also. However it sure has been nice not having a wife that wines when I want to go hunting.
In fact she makes me take her every weekend we can get away. Now thats not a bad way to go.
Our years together have become many, I am learning that just the strolls together hand in hand mean a lot to her, ya I enjoy them too.
Life does get better as one mellows out.

Oct.1
Only 8.5 weeks to go.

[The Nailer]

You guys really make feel jealous. Although my wife enjoys walks in the woods and snowshoeing w/ me I would never be able to convice her to hunt. In fact just this past weekend she made me turn the truck around and in a downpour get out and assist a very, very large snapper across the road. And I'll tell you he was not excited about the rescue attempt. It cost me an unbrella that I bent trying to move him out of the center of the road. I never knew they could jump or lunge that far, WOW!!

Fortunately for me she understands my need to hunt and more importantly understands the reasons we must hunt. And she supports these views and backs me up when these issues come up amongst her more liberal work associates.

[This message has been edited by The Nailer (edited 08-02-2000).]

[David G Duncan]

Nailer,

How that you are getting all programed to do your deer processing, what do you think about tackling a snapping turtle?

Snapper is some excellent eating and I think they are legal to take in July. May be we should see if anyone is up on the law regarding the taking of snapping turtles.

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Trapper Dave

[The Nailer]

Trapper Dave, I've heard that they were good eating but, I've got to tell ya this guy stunk so bad I threw the umbrella in the back of the truck. Besides I don't know how anything that mean could taste good. I thought I would just nunge him from behind but,he immediately spun around and lunged about a foot in my direction. I watched a show where a guy would stick his hands in the river bank and pull them out blindly. He's a better man than I.

[ckendall]

While I can see how husbands and wives could discover new pleasure in each others company through pursuing game together, I'd just like to offer what I consider to be another legitimate view:

I frankly don't want my wife with me while I'm hunting. And don't let that make you think I don't love her - I love her like crazy. But when I hunt, I really only want to include my boys, my buddies, and my dogs. I like male-ness that goes along with my bloodsports. And by the way, my wife is quite content to remain aloof from all my lurking about and killing. Anyhow, the separatist view seems to work for us - although I will be the first to acknowledge that I walk a careful line relative to the amount of time hunting takes me away from home and hearth (and domestic work).

[born2hunt65]

Several years ago before I learned about how fun hunting is I would have been content staying home while the "man" hunted, but since I have gotten the bug No Way. I do agree there has to be some time companions spend apart and do things with friends but by the same token to have your spose share your same interests what a way to grow old together. I have noticed that the older couples who share interests grow old gracefully together.


If a women has no interest in hunting than thats kool, but there is nothing sadder than a women who wants to learn to hunt and her hubby don't have the time of day for her. From the sounds of it the guys who partake in this site are not that way but many guys are. They just can't give up a little of that macho guy stuff to teach a lady what she needs to know. I thank god my hubby is not that way with me. I see so many ladies in my town that are not so lucky. It is my dream to someday buy a 40 and put up a ladies hunting camp here so others can be as fortunite as I am. They would have a camp where they are always welcome to hunt, learn, and just have fun.

Happy hunting guys bird season is only 13 days away yeehaa.

[Neapolis]

My wife and I have enjoyed the out of doors together in one shape or another ever since we were married. She was not into any outdoor sports at all before we met. Started out boating, I had a 14' ski boat when I met her. I am probably the only person in the country who rigged a ski boat as a duck blind. Next was camping, I knew I had a keeper when we went tent camping while my son was still in diapers. She has been into the combination of camping (we now have a 5th wheel camper - have went from tent to motorhome to pop up to present), boating (we now have a canoe - she wants a pontoon boat), and fishing (walleye, bass, trout - preferably anything with a campground closeby). She has never been interested in hunting, but I have had her shooting - a few rounds of trap and some small bore rifle - we have been to the Grand American trap shoot in Vandalia OH and the National Rifle and Pistol Championships at Camp Perry. She enjoys watching, with limited participation. Now that we are both retired, we walk almost everyday, usually in one of the large Metroparks near our home or the State Forest across the road. As hunting season starts, the State Forest will be off limits until spring. We have a combination camping and Grouse hunting trip planned for October in Southern Ohio. I'll have two shotguns in case she wants to join me. We will be at Ludington State Park in September for two weeks. I know she will be joining me fishing then. One trip we want to make, probably next year is a month in the U.P. We have been at the mouth of the Two Hearted River and Autrain Lake areas in the past (several years ago) and would love to get back. I didn't mean to write a book, but I do enjoy telling about our experiences as much as I do hearing about yours. :cool:


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Neapolis
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[born2hunt65]

Neapolis have a great trip. Sounds like your wife is a wonderful person. PS shoot a bird for me,lol. Born

[TGehrs]

My wife never got into hunting and just a small amount of fishing but we have always enjoyed the outdoors together. We ride four-wheelers and snowmobiles and last year took up kayaking. This thursday will be leaving for the UP for eleven days with the fifth wheel with the toy trailer behind. The East
Branch of the Fox is a favorite place and also Watersmeet. Even though foliage will still be heavy just can't resist going out for a go at the grouse. We'll kayak the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon and probably
fish it with the canoe. One can't go to Watersmeet without a few trips to the casino
besides they have good food. I should mention
that my wifes great love are her horses. I
don't have as much affection for them as I used to but still go with her to outings with
the driving club. My main contribution is to provide the music around the camp fire at night which I enjoy. Togetherness is great,
we are only 2 years away from our fiftieth.
Have a good one. Tom

[Ladykiller]

You guys are extremely lucky, I would love to find a lady that loves the outdoors, someone to go hunting, fishing, hiking with besides the guys. But these ladies are so few and far between these days for those of us in the younger generation.

[Hunter333]

I took my wife to the Sportsman Outing and we camped. She has a hoot!! She now wants to trp shoot as well as get a tent so that we can go camping while we have our summers off (we are both teachers). We are hoping to get out next weekend and just take some hikes and enjoy being outside. I love being in the woods and it looks like my wife is starting to enjoy it more and more!!

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Live to hunt, hunt to live!!
Take your kids hunting so you
dont have to hunt for them!

[The Nailer]

Hunter, You are one lucky guy! Hope you two have a great time.