Remember this: Every life is full of moments when you feel over burdened with demands, responsibilities, or personal trials.
When it is time to hunt all those cares can be put on the back burner. You finally have a momentary release from the albatrosses of the world. The only supply and demand is what you require for the product of your endeavors. If hunting is your 'me time' then why not take advantage of the moment and actually work on your inner being. You will be the better for it.
Everyone that hunts has been there. Waiting. When you have that kind of time on your hands, pull up a blade of long grass and put it square in your teeth. Do as the cows do: chew cud. Roll that sucker around in there and think your way to a better you.
One such idea to mull over is how you treat yourself as a woman who hunts. How do others treat you? Take a nice piece of stationary out, write these two questions down and scribble ten things that come to mind off the top of your head. This can be done in the deer stand as well. Really be honest with yourself. Fold it up and leave a copy in your stand so when you return everyday during hunting season you can decide if your outlook stayed the same or if you need a little 'self-love' makeover.
If you can clean your gun and oil it you can spend some time on yourself and the outlook you harbor.
As a female who hunts, when developing your aesthetic outlook, regarding the aspect of self love and acceptance into your arsenal is imperative. Whatever relationship you have with yourself before, during and after the hunt is the foundation for what other people see in terms of how they will visualize, approach, and treat you. The female hunter must be very aware of her self-cultivation in family, work, charity, and hunting.
In the spare moments of hunting, the Aesthetic Female Hunter should extend to herself devotion or attention of centering and connecting with her own heart and spirit through a landscape of tempermental nature. Learn to offer self love and acceptance to yourself then affirm these values. Believe in your own worthiness. In respecting, nurturing, and treating yourself as a treasure you can begin to cherish the Aesthetic Female hunter inside of you. Others will see this shining through and in turn will return as much as you are willing to give and receive.
The goal is to grow and expand yourself and your ideals using hunting as the platform to improve ever portion of your life.
If you are ever in a position as a Female Aesthetic Hunter that lessens your mentality, you have the right to set your boundaries and not apologize for it. Stand as strong and collected as you would when you focus in on your target, hold your breath then pull the trigger.
Women who hunt are not 2-dimensional beings on a computer screen. We are multi-dimensional beings that are capable of looking good, feeling good, and acting (respectable that is). You are your own Ambassador of Hunting. Where ever you go you are representing some portion of hunting as an individual. You can still be sexy but not ridiculous. Never make yourself ridiculous. The role and space that you occupy in the realm of Hunting will make you a caricature based on the spectacle you make of yourself.
When you step out into the field/woods with your gun, accept yourself and your deeds. At that moment you are beyond anyone's condemnation. If you can extent this to yourself then you can extend it to another person. Your tolerance can be someone else's tolerance. Accept your own imperfections. See your imperfections in another person as acceptable mistakes.
Always ask yourself these kinds of questions:
Learning your lessons helps others in your stead learn a lesson or two themselves.
You are a Lady of the Game Hunt. Treat yourself accordingly.
Written by: W Harley Bloodworth
~Courtesy of the AOFH~
