This article is an opinion or view on what the hunting lifestyle means. There are basic questions to be answered about the hunting lifestyle and they will not all get answered in this article. The basic questions to be answered are, what is a hunting lifestyle? How do you have a hunting lifestyle? What is the definition of a hunter? Is the hunting lifestyle growing or dying? In this 21st century do we really need a hunting lifestyle? What are the benefits of a hunting lifestyle, personally as well as to society as a whole? This is just a sample of questions to be explored.  

My hunting lifestyle began at an early age. I can remember being the designated bird dog to fetch the fallen birds during some really great dove hunts. I can still remember the roar of the shotguns and the fast beautiful gray birds darting in and out. The smell of the birds in my hands, the wonder of the soft feathers and how they all fit together on these marvelous creatures. The different types of feathers on the bird, from the wing feathers, to the body feathers, to the down underneath feathers, they all fascinated me in their form and function. The smell of blood on my hands from the dove, which would be frightening to some, but was fascinating and different in all its strangeness to me as I retrieved the birds during the harvest. I saw lots of birds being shot at and not being hit. I saw birds fall and I ran to fetch them. I can remember being proud to fetch the birds and the compliments and thanks from the older hunters. The smell of the dirt in the fields, the hot sun and the cool afternoons as the sun set and the hunt ended. I can remember my Dad complementing on what I did right, and correcting me on what I did wrong, or could do better.  The evenings were spent sitting around the fire, eating great food and frying up some of the harvest from the days hunt.

The cleaning of the birds was an adventure, which was as fascinating as the hunt itself to me the young boy. Getting pointers on the fastest and easiest way to clean the birds was a learning experience from the older hunter's. I learned to be extra careful to wash all the feathers and dirt off to the satisfaction of my Dad and the older hunters, I loved to hear the statement "great job young man". I would not be allowed to fire a weapon for several more years but already all the details of the hunt had me hooked for life.

Squirrel hunting was another early memory. I was fascinated by the fuzzy creatures and staring up into the seemingly gigantic trees looking for the twitch of a tail or listening for the chatter and bark of an agitated squirrel. I carried a pellet rifle which was sufficient to harvest the squirrel; I just had to get him close. The first harvest was excitement, wonder, and sadness all rolled together. After the emotion of the harvest I was immediately ready for the next stalk on the squirrel. I could not seem to get enough. I was in love with the hunt and the kind of game that I pursued did not matter, I loved to hunt!

The beginning of hunting season was always an exciting time. There was a hunting club for all residents of the county who paid the membership fee. There was twenty thousand plus acres that was divided into three areas and seemed to be big as the whole world. We set up camps for the season, moved in tents and campers, set up outdoor kitchens, cut wood and cleaned out the camping areas from the previous year's weeds and debris. It was a process that took awhile and was a lot of work but oh so enjoyable. We had big hunting buggies, jeeps, and other four wheel drive vehicles and these all had to be readied and prepared for the season. We would leave on Friday nights and return on Sunday afternoons. It was a glorious time where we could feel like we were out in the wilderness and we were all alone.  I don't remember any world record game harvests. I do not remember a lot of harvests period. I do remember looking forward to those weekends with every cell in my being. I remember learning to drive on those weekends.

I remember a night sky so bright and full of stars, nothing could compare to its brightness, not even the sun. Games of hide and seek and tag that went on till the early morning hours. No fear of snakes or woodland creatures for which there was plenty. We felt we were part of the woods and thus invincible. Best friends that I have to this day were made during this time. We discussed with all the worldly wisdom of young boys, the mysteries of life, girls, and the big buck we were surely going harvest the next day. Dads were around, but they did not keep us penned up and were not worried what we were up too. They got a break from us and we got a break from them.

I learned how to put a clutch in a 64 Willis jeep.  I learned how to rebuild a flat head hurricane six cylinder motor. I learned how to take apart a 4 wheel drive hub turn it around and make it stay locked in permanently. I learned how to use a winch and jeep jack. I learned how to get a vehicle unstuck from the mud. Most of all I learned how to work and make the best of bad situations.

There were lessons of responsibility learned.  There were rules that were hard and fast and swiftly punished when broken by anyone especially the young boys. You bring a loaded gun in camp and you would find yourself in a world of trouble very quickly. Act foolish with your gun and handle it in an unsafe manner and you would not have it for awhile after getting your butt beat for stupidity. Even worse you would be shunned till you proved yourself to be a safe hunter again. There was no forgiveness or leniency with these. We were taught these rules were life and death and there was no room for mistakes. These were some of my earliest lessons about the seriousness of life and death decisions.

I learned the beauty of an early morning sunrise on the dew hung in cobwebs which hung in bushes across the farm fields that looked like ice on the ground. I learned the sound of a male bob white calling for his mate. I learned the sound of a gobbler sounding off letting the world know he was awake. The whir of turkey's wings as they flew up to roost for the night. The kind of trees that turkey preferred to roost in. The tracks made by different creatures in the great outdoors. I saw the evidence of life and death. The pile of feathers where the bobcat caught the turkey. The bones left where some creature had been eaten, and another had been fed.

These memories were the foundation for which my hunting life style was laid upon. My hunting life style continues even unto this day. I consider the life style a part of my being and I will describe in future articles how and what it means in my life. I hope this article shows where I get my love of this lifestyle from and the fundamentals that this lifestyle instilled in me.

Ray Scott of the Whitetail Institute sent out an email to all his customers promoting TalkHunting.com. In his email he stated he believes in what TalkHunting.com is doing.  What TalkHunting.com is doing is promoting a hunting lifestyle in a 21st century way.

Through the internet and  a forum, people from all parts of the world are sharing their hunting lifestyle on this great site. The site has the backing of many great sponsors

Hunter Safety Systems
Dead Down Wind
American Broadhead Company  
Peep Eliminator
Bowie Outfitters
Placita Ranch
Team Weekend Dreams  
The Up North Journal
Straight Creek Calls
Mikes Magic
Kolpin[/url
[url=http://www.outdoorsaddiction.com]Outdoors Addiction
Scents-U-Know
Box Light
BuckMasters Magazine
Bowhunter Magazine
Butternut Lures
Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine
Field Junky

I hope these great sponsors as well as TalkHunting.com may encourage you to embark on a hunting lifestyle or at least encourage you to investigate it a little further. The hunting lifestyle is a way of life that I truly embrace, and I hope to show you the benefits and joys of through future articles.

By Allen Ridgdill

Allen "Cowmanhunter" Ridgdill is a 42 year Old Male, life long resident of  Florida. Allen is married with three kids. Allen was raised hunting and fishing in Florida from a very young age. Allen has hunted Deer, Hogs, Turkeys,Doves, Ducks, and predators. Allen has hunted in Texas,Montana, Idaho, Nebraska,Maine,Florida,Kentucky,Northern Quebec and Mexico. Allen does most if not all of his hunting in Alabama now. He enjoys the time away with family and friends. Allen's goals are to raise a happy healthy family too adulthood and retire to his land in Alabama. He hopes to  acquire more acreage as the years go by. Allen is happy alone and he also likes people. 

Professional info: Certified General Contractor with the State of Florida
Pollutant Storage Contractor with State of Florida.
Allen has worked in the family business forever and a day.
Family Business consists of Construction, heavy Equipment, mining, road building etc. There are Convenience Stores, Mobile Home Park, and Land development for housing. Allen and his father raise Brangus cattle as Business/Hobby

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies/ Psychology/Philosophy.  Master of Divinity without Dissertation

Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Reading, Cattle breeding, Deer Management, Food Plots, Talk Hunting, Working his property in Alabama.

God is the reason for all that Allen is and all that he will ever be. God is the reason all things are possible in Allen's life. Allen lives out his days trying to honor and do God's calling.