I was not born into a hunting family nor did I seek it in my youth. Rather, after regular invitations from Eastern Shore friends over many years I finally said yes. After a difficult divorce, I could not stand the thought of sitting indoors alone all winter, and the invitations were from some of my closest and most esteemed friends.
For the last almost two decades, I have hunted and truly loved every minute of it. I don’t hunt for the kill. I don’t even hunt for the hunting. I hunt to get outside, to get closer to nature, to be alone, and to enjoy time with good friends. I also eat everything I kill. Even more importantly, I greatly value the connection between healthy table fare, our beautiful Eastern Shore landscape, and our shared tradition of hunting and harvest from the land.
Last week for 3.5 hours alone in a deer stand 15 feet off the ground I watched birds – lots of birds – sometimes using my phone apps for song ID or scanning migrating hawks for cool species. I also saw a flock of 13 turkeys jousting and canoodling right under my feet. I meditated. I watched bees running back and forth feverishly, saw nice fall colors, was concerned with the many Spotted Lantern Flies, and watched a pair of squirrels hiding nuts. I even had time to read an essay by my favorite author Brian Doyle. If you have not experienced extended stillness in nature, I highly encourage it.
For the record I killed a large doe at dusk that day. I don’t like the killing part – but feel ok about it when it is quick – and especially with deer – as they are terribly hard on our natural areas and communities here on the Shore. Our mix of farm, forest and suburban lawns are perfect for White-tailed Deer and their numbers are roughly 100 times more than 100 years ago. Their high numbers are not just a risk to rural driving, farmer’s crops and backyard vegetables, but also to our shared ecology. Maryland has 344 endangered species, most of them plants, and deer browsing is the first or second most critical threat to these plant species.
Not all hunters are conservationists like Aldo Leopold and I understand poaching or mixing alcohol and hunting are challenges. The club where I hunt adheres tightly to all regulations and the highest ethical standards.
Hunting is a deeply personal decision and all sides of this debate should be respected. Personally, I’m in and glad to be outdoors in the Fall and Winter on the Eastern Shore.
Rob Etgen retired in 2021 after a 40 year career in conservation – the last 31 years as President of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. In retirement Rob is enjoying family and working on global and local sustainability issues with Council Fire consulting out of Annapolis.
Adam Murphy says
Great article, Rob. I enjoy hunting in a very similar way. I’m glad that you and hunting found each other.
James Mahlon French says
I have hunted since I was 10 I am 76 that kill glan
I had at a young age is gone down I have killed one buck 10 years ago but I love what God has given me
Paul George Corrigan says
I very much appreciated Rob Etgen’s essay! I too have sat in a tree stand and enjoyed the benefits of being deeply immersed in my natural surroundings. Since I hunt in Maine where I grew up, and where the deer are few and far between, but usually very large,I spend a fair amount of time in my stand lost in thought; but welcome the moments when birds such as Canada jays, Ravens, Pileated woodpeckers and the more common Chickadees and Nuthatches come by to amuse me. Mostly though, I try to quietly scan the woods and listen intently for the sound of a deer shuffling through the leaves. So, obviously, Rob’s essay struck a kindred cord with me!
The heart of Rob’s piece for me was his conservation ethic which I honor and try to live up to. We hunters are obligated to abide by the rules of fair chase — following our game laws, making a clean and quick kill, and honoring the animal by using its meat in our daily cooking rituals. But also, as Rob Etgen has obviously done all his life, we must go a step further and become active in habitat preservation so that game species and non-game species continue to interact in the marvelous dance of nature.
Therefore, it was so good to read this concise and delightful essay by Rob Etgen!
James Dumont says
Well said. Hunting is so much more than the pursuit and killing of animals. The time in the outdoors is rejuvenating and cathartic. Excellent article.
Clifford Radcliffe says
I totally understand where you are coming from. I’ve hunted for over 55 years and put many hours in various types of stands enjoying nature. I’ve had great success over the years but the enjoyment of being outdoors and watching nature is second to none. I’ve hunted for over 20 years in Saskatchewan, CAN with great friends and usually spent 10 hours a day in the elevated (very cold) box blinds. At 71, I still get into the woods and even go with my hunting buddies to various outfitters in OH, KY and MD. But my desire to kill has dissipated. I have let many animals pass with just taking photos which is satisfying enough. We moved from Westchester County NY (where we had a myriad of daily deer visits) to Litchfield County CT and enjoy every moment of the visits from deer, bobcats, foxes and the occasional bear. More people should get outdoors just to enjoy the sights and hear the sounds.
Edgar Lattina says
I enjoy hunting in the similar way it seems like all the different sounds you hear brings a piece of saulitud.
William Weaver says
I feel free of all the hustle and bustle of every day life. I know the feeling like you do. I don’t have to see a deer just taking in nature is a glorious thing to do. I used to feel the need for getting a deer but know that I’m older just getting out is a pleasure by it’s self. Thank you for reminding us of that feeling for nature.
Branten Bottom says
You obviously weren’t raised a hunter, however, you’ve found how to enjoy your time in the woods….. Being a hunter we use the word ” Harvest”, rather than the word killing which has a negative response….
William moore says
Yes! I also started hunting later in life being raised in the city. But went camping with my brother inlaw and got invited to deer hunt with him so I tried it? And like you have never regretted it!!!! Still going this year & I’m 69 yrs old started in 1995.
Elisabeth Muse says
Thank you for this excellent explanation of how the majority of we hunters are able to enjoy the outdoors. I too came late to hunting and am making the most of this restorative, relaxing experience now. I highly recommend it for everyone, young and not so young!
David Leifheit says
Thanks
Taffy-Jo Allen says
Ok so ive been hunting for about 15 years now. Im a now 38 year old female self taught and of those 15 years i have only shot and killed 2 doe a 4 pointer and a 249lb 3 year old black bear. My buck i shot when i first started hunting then many years passed before finally getting a doe then my bear and again another doe. I dont hunt to kill or shot i too hunt for nature. To be alone without the responsibility that comes with being an adult. I often find myself sleeping 😴 more then hunting and boy do i sleep good in the woods. Hunting for me is about the calmness all around seeing the world differently. Ive also let a lot of deer and bear pass through as i dont particularly need the meat i enjoy it. And i dont need to harvest one every year. I also dont make habit of shooting doe but here in Vermont we have loads and if i see one thats alone no baby to care for i may take it. At the end of it all i do it for the joy i experience in natures life nothing else.
Josh says
May I ask how did you come to be active in hunting. Also do you hunt during archery season. Also what advice could you give about trying to get a teenage girl into the sport?
Leon W. Hightower says
I’ve enjoyed the wonders of our natural environment since I was ten and I’m 82+ now. I find solice while in the timbered woods of SE Oklahoma & on the hunt. Never tiring of the effort, in the preparation for the deer season opener. I hunt our liberal 107 day archery season, our 9 day muzzleloader season and the 16 day deer gun season. All on our family land. Some years I fail to harvest a deer, because I’m not interested in the killing of one or don’t need the meat. My real reward is just to be able to take part in the hunt & being able to climb into a tri-pod, ladder stand or a hub blind, if it’s raining. I did harvest a 10 point on Nov 3rd of this year with a muzzleloader & donated the meat to a couple of locals who helped, by taking it to camp for me. As I was camped & hunting solo for 11 days. Life is Great & Wonderful!
PS: My Mother taught me to trap when I was 10. My paternal Grandfather taught me to hunt & fish about the same time. Both taught me how to enjoy & respect God’s gift of nature…
Bob Hues says
I fully agree with the authors mindset too. I have hunted Pennsylvania for 40 years and always enjoyed it, but as you get older you learn to truly appreciate nature! It’s not about harvesting a deer(Costco has plenty of steak) it’s about serenity and taking in the little things in life. The turkeys, hawks etc. The things that most suburbanites don’t see often
Sometimes rest the rifle and just open your eyes to nature!
Michael W Hampton says
Out of all the years hunting I have seen a lot of interesting things watching wildlife in the deer stand or blind but I will say this the naps I’ve had in tbe blind or stand were some of the best naps. But most of off is talking to god and praying. When I lost my son that is where I found peace was in the woods
Steven Jeffries says
Happy to read about a highly numbered food resource being harvested by someone with serious and responsible attitude. Up north in Alaska, hunting and fishing are as normal as going to the grocery store. Thanks for an article about responsible use of food animals.
Willard T Engelskirchen says
Foe many years I hunted a farm in Kent County for both waterfowl and deer. I often tried to get some of the non-hunters in our group to just go out and sit, silently of course, in a deer stand to experience the show of birds, squirrels, and other creatures in the woods. It is best to start before dawn but not necessary. I am sure that quietly contemplating one’s surroundings as the sun comes up is an experience that many would enjoy. I can no longer hunt that farm and I miss it badly.
It is, by the way, coldest out there just as the sun comes up.
Thank you for renewing the memories.
Craig Prether says
I’m 72. Hunt about 6 hours per day almost the entire season. Early on it was about getting a deer. Now it’s the right deer at the right time. Watching nature in its fullness can only happen when surrounded by hours of quite and stillness. The behavior and awareness of deer is so amazing and yet they are so vulnerable. It was once easy to shoot but now it’s part of a process. I can say I feel the same passion and drive as I did as a young man but my choices are often different.
Kevin j kelley says
I read this in my tree stand. It is a wonderful peaceful time to take stock of ones life.at the quietest times it’s almost as if you are in a painting…..
David Jump says
I have hunted most of my life,I enjoy the out doors and watching the animals. I am with you as far as the killing but do eat the game. I love what God has created and try to take care of it the best that I can. I really enjoyed your article and feel a lot the same as you. Have a great day !
Marshall Sumner says
Great article, so many miss out on the joys of the outdoor experience. As stated it’s not so much about the kill as the overall experience.
Scott Murray says
The quietness of the woods, the time to unravel a cluttered mind and the joy of just observing creation are enjoyable beyond measure. To be still and actually hear a birds wings as it passes in the air above or listen to the calls of multitudes birds or animals brings peace and contentment.
Matt Ñicholsen says
That may be over there. But here in Wisconsin they are trying to wipe the whitetails out completely. Numbers are way down here in North Central and Northern WI. With reintroducing wolves and cougars that proves it all.
Paul Longo says
Great story. I find myself doing, pretty much the same thing. I’ve been hunting for 44 years now. I have Great memories of my father teaching me and my brothers, the hunting traditions he and his father had. Well, I wish you happiness and future success in your hunting endeavors.