"Huntress"
by Alexandra Summers
I am a huntress - a long-since abandoned word that gives me a shimmer of pride every time I apply it to myself. While occasionally I enjoy basking in the glow of uniqueness, it bothers me at times that there are so few huntresses in society today. Hunting is such a wonderful and thrilling part of my life; it saddens me to think I share this common joy with so few, especially amongst my peers. I like to think that by avidly pursuing my passion, I can show others that hunting is exciting and enriching like nothing else. Hunting has touched my life in positive ways; teaching me things I never would have known, introducing me to wonderful people I never would have met, and giving me something to work at and take pride in.
I have grown up hunting. It has been such an enjoyable part of my childhood. I'm sure I will always cherish hunting and the memories I have made even when I am so old I can't tell a firearm from a broomstick. My dad and I don't always see eye to eye, but hunting has been something we have in common and can talk about. My dad is a busy man, so some of the best times I spend with him are when we are hunting together. Even before I was old enough to hunt myself, I remember sitting up in a "tree house" with Dad, watching the ground below the feeder with single-minded determination and listening to the predawn silence with equal concentration. Later, I learned that hunting was extremely exciting in it's own right, but back then I was content to wake up before the sun and watch the gray-scale ground if it meant I could spend quality, uninterrupted time with my dad.
Hunting is not just a link between my dad and I, it is a bond that includes my entire family. As my brothers have grown older, hunting became not only a thrilling adventure, but an experience for the entire family. Even some of the people I have met through the sport have become part of a surrogate family. Dad's hunting buddy Howard has become like a grandfather to my brothers and I since our grandparents live so far away.
Hunting has also been a vital learning experience for me. Not only have I learned patience and a respect for other people's views, but I've gained a wealth of knowledge about wildlife. One memory that I keep close to my heart is when I shot one of my first deer. We had already waited several hours before a deer finally came to our feeder. I got my rifle up with a few thumps and found the deer in my scope. I was so nervous; my hands were shaking so violently that I couldn't make the shot. In a trembling voice I was forced to admit to my anxiously waiting father that I couldn't do it. I was too nervous. What my dad said to me I carry with me always:
"Alex, you're going to be nervous. Everybody gets nervous. It's natural. When you give a presentation, when you go to your first job interview, you are going to be nervous. The key is to accept that, acknowledge it, and don't let it stop you. You can do this. Just take a deep breath."
I took a deep breath as directed, reined in my nerves and gently squeezed the trigger. After we had collected the deer, I took a moment to cement my father's words into my mind, so I would always remember them and be able to call on them if need be. They haven't failed me yet. They are just a few among many words and lessons I've learned through hunting, either from my dad or that I've learned myself through the huntress experience.
One of the greatest realizations was that the lessons I have learned through hunting also apply to life in general. I've taken the things I learned and used them to enrich the rest of my life, such as patience and a respect for life. With all I've learned and gained through hunting, I find it hard to believe that more women, especially young women, don't take advantage of the opportunities provided by hunting. I hope to spread a positive view of hunting through my experiences and further writing.