Need help with English paper

S

shooter mcgavin

New member
Hey Guys,
Deceided at 38 to go back to college.Unfortunately its cutting into hunting season but i get out when i can.
I have a research paper due next week where i have to do an evaluation on a book and i picked A Hunters Road by Jim Fergus. I dont know how many or if any of you guys have read it but i recommend that you do. Its a book i have read many times.
Where you guys can help is to post on why you love bird hunting. For me, its the too-much-coffee road trips with the dog,sunrise sitting in a duck blind, watching the dog flush a pheasant, and teaching my son to hunt.
Why do you truly love hunting?
 
I've tried explaining to people before when they asked why I loved hunting. They never understood.
 
I'm a redneck at heart but work in downtown Denver, so part of it for me is getting the chance to be myself and doing the things I love - toiling through fields with family and friends, giving them a hard time for getting spooked by a rooster jumping up in front of 'em and catching the same in turn from them, the smell of powder (blowing stuff up in general), relaxing afterwards and going over the highlights of the day over a few drinks.
So for me... relaxing, slowing down and being close to family and friends.
 
For me it is taking my dogs and going hunting with one of my son's. One is 48 the other 52. So they know what is what. We take their dogs too. But the beauty is we have a day together. Which is rare when your son's are the age mine are......Bob
 
For me its about getting out away from the city and civilation. To enjoy the beauty of the land and the wildlife. Good friends and good times. To me there is some thing primal about the whole hunt. Its soul therapy. The eats are a bonus.:)
 
Seems like all of the great replys so far share a common trait, that the circumstances surrounding the hunt are what is fun and memorable. I would go a little further as I have asked myself the same question as you are for your school work, I believe man has this pre disposition to survive, hunting is a natural instinct, in todays world many men choose to earn his survival another way, such as working in a factory, accountant, truck driver, lawyer etc. Hunting allows us to touch that inner instinct to survive, and by golly the good dogs, time with friends or relatives, well made shotguns, beautiful sunsets, covey's rising and more is a darn good bonus.
 
Thanks guys.
KInd of what i expected and I appreciate that.
Cheesy,why not try to explain it again.Im interested.
Has anyone else read that book?
 
Shooter McGavin, the reason that I love huntin stems from the bond that developed between my grandpa and I, and now my father, brother, and I. Hunting has formed a deep bond with myself and many members of my family that others from my generation do not have, I cherish every moment in the field with my family knowing that others are not as fortunate. On a side note, as an English major I also wrote a research paper a few years ago, not on the book you're reading, but on Upland Hunting in general and it seemed to go over well! Good luck!
 
Never read the book shooter, but Im always looking for a good read.

I take joy in getting out into gods beautiful creation with my best friend (my dog), meeting new friends, and finding new spots to hunt. I love the nuances of the hunt, watching my dog seek out the prime cover, working the wind, trying to keep up and in a good position to shoot. Every time I hold a quail in my hand I marvel at the beauty, knowing god took his time painting this wonderful game bird. I love hunting with family and friends, but I would just as soon go alone with the dog and enjoy the silence and solitude you can only get out in the field. Hunting truly let's us drop our worries and focus on living, at least for a few hours at a time.
 
There are experiences that happen in the field that can never be replicated outside of the hunting...

Three years ago I was hunting in South Dakota with girlfriends father, this was a second annual trip hunting together. We were having an incredible trip thus far, one full day of hunting behind us and each of us shot our limit the previous day. The second morning I had some business to take care of in the field. I had purchased an engagement ring and wanted to ask his daughter to marry me, but of course I had to get the father's permission. I thought what could be a better time than walking in a field in South Dakota, and the answer would have to be truthful because he was carrying his favorite 12 gauge. All morning long I was trying to muster up the courage to ask, we finished walking a row and I said to myself there is no better time than now. As we started walking down the next row, I stopped him and asked if he would approve of me asking his daughter to marry me, his response of course, is that why you have been acting strange all morning, now lets get back to hunting. We went on to have a wonderful trip, a wonderful wedding, and an incredible family. I can still picture that field. An experience such as this would not be possible without good dogs, good people, and wide open spaces.
 
Babcock

shooter mcgavin said:
Hey Guys,
Deceided at 38 to go back to college.Unfortunately its cutting into hunting season but i get out when i can.
I have a research paper due next week where i have to do an evaluation on a book and i picked A Hunters Road by Jim Fergus. I dont know how many or if any of you guys have read it but i recommend that you do. Its a book i have read many times.
Where you guys can help is to post on why you love bird hunting. For me, its the too-much-coffee road trips with the dog,sunrise sitting in a duck blind, watching the dog flush a pheasant, and teaching my son to hunt.
Why do you truly love hunting?
Click to expand...

This isnt much help...but...there is another book that is great regarding hunting...if you read it...it might bring up some interesting ideas that might help you regarding your research...the guy's name is Babcock and he is from South Carolina. Not that you would use something from another book???
 
I love the partnership with the dog. The pure enthusiasm they have for their job and the unconditional willingness they display to work together towards a common goal. It is a true form of collaboration with no agendas attached.

You just don't get that in business or social relationships with people. Unfortunately it is pretty rare in family life too.

I do love being outdoors. I do enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the opportunity to satisfy a primal urge. I love sharing the experience with my children and family. Those things are all an important part of the process.

Truth be told though I'm not sure I'd do it or how often I'd do it without that canine, human connection.

As far as Hunter's Road goes I like the idea of the book a lot. Traveling the country with your best friend and experiencing a wide variety of upland hunting opportunities with different cast of characters along the way. It's a big dream for many of us.

The book captures all that pretty well but I've always been a little troubled with the obvious stretching of the truth. I would have preferred a factual documentary version even if it wouldn't have made for the best story telling.
 
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This is a tough question to explain. It's really something that must be experienced. But for me being out in the wide open spaces of the South Dakota prairie with a gentle breeze blowing and my dogs criss-crossing through the grass in search of big ol' rooster is about as good as it gets. It's a place where all the problems of the world disappear, where one can re-charge and appreciate the wonders that God has created for us. It has nothing to do with harvesting a bird or firing the gun. It can be a great day even if you come home with an empty bag. I feel very fortunate to be able to experience this type of solitude pretty much any time I want.
 
thurrealty said:
This isnt much help...but...there is another book that is great regarding hunting...if you read it...it might bring up some interesting ideas that might help you regarding your research...the guy's name is Babcock and he is from South Carolina. Not that you would use something from another book???
Click to expand...
Ill probably get around to it one day but for now we have to focus on one book.
Its an evaluation.
 
Hunting Learned Literarily

Novelist Ralph Ellison said in an interview that he first read Hemingway to learn how to hunt. He needed to hunt because he was hungry and broke.
 
I like the question.
But how to do tell someone how the air smelt or the temp change as the sun comes up? I am glad some people like Hemingway can put words into feelings.
I think a good picture to the right person says alot.

hunting2010024.jpg


Congrates on the going to school decision:thumbsup:
 
thurrealty said:
This isnt much help...but...there is another book that is great regarding hunting...if you read it...it might bring up some interesting ideas that might help you regarding your research...the guy's name is Babcock and he is from South Carolina. Not that you would use something from another book???
Click to expand...

Itâ??s something that I am sure we all have been asked before and tried to explain to none hunters. For me itâ??s the whole package. My Dad was an outdoorsman and my brother and I have followed along in his footsteps now with our families. So family, friends and the bonding that goes along with our travels is a huge attraction. I still wear my dadâ??s belt on my brush paints just to bring a part of him with me.:(

The rest of it can change depending on the day or hour. On day you will see the most amazing sunrise or sunset where you could just stop to watch it change for a while. The next it could be some thing amazing our four legged companions do or what they donâ??t do, that makes a memory and brings us back over and over again.

I like putting game in the freezer just as much as the next but I canâ??t say it is the reason I do it. Thatâ??s my best explanation with out getting to carried away.:cool:
 
shooter mcgavin said:
Hey Guys,
Deceided at 38 to go back to college.Unfortunately its cutting into hunting season but i get out when i can.
I have a research paper due next week where i have to do an evaluation on a book and i picked A Hunters Road by Jim Fergus. I dont know how many or if any of you guys have read it but i recommend that you do. Its a book i have read many times.
Where you guys can help is to post on why you love bird hunting. For me, its the too-much-coffee road trips with the dog,sunrise sitting in a duck blind, watching the dog flush a pheasant, and teaching my son to hunt.
Why do you truly love hunting?
Click to expand...
This the book?
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/used/results.aspx?PEAN=9780805016192&SRT=PA&USEDPAGETYPE=usedisbn&SZE=25&USRI=A&CND=7

Maybe I'll have to buy it and read for myself.

Neil
www.uplandgameadventures.com
 
AquaVac said:
Itâ??s something that I am sure we all have been asked before and tried to explain to none hunters. For me itâ??s the whole package. My Dad was an outdoorsman and my brother and I have followed along in his footsteps now with our families. So family, friends and the bonding that goes along with our travels is a huge attraction. I still wear my dadâ??s belt on my brush paints just to bring a part of him with me.:(

The rest of it can change depending on the day or hour. On day you will see the most amazing sunrise or sunset where you could just stop to watch it change for a while. The next it could be some thing amazing our four legged companions do or what they donâ??t do, that makes a memory and brings us back over and over again.

I like putting game in the freezer just as much as the next but I canâ??t say it is the reason I do it. Thatâ??s my best explanation with out getting to carried away.:cool:
Click to expand...

And let's not forget the chase:D
 
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