I have asked myself why I hunt many times and just as often have come up with many different answers. Sometimes it gets confusing so I decided to jot the answers down. This will probably be a living document as I may find even more reasons that I hunt.

• For food: We have a large family and a good harvest of antelope, deer and elk plus geese gives us a healthy diet of meat for the table throughout the year. Some years it is quite inexpensive and some years our venison can cost thirty dollars a pound when you consider the total cost of the hunt.
• Connection with the forefathers: Humans have been hunting since the dawn of time. Today we take our food for granted. It is easy to go to the corner grocery store and pick up our meat wrapped in Styrofoam and saran wrap. I want to be connected to our forefathers and to be honest with myself and my family about where our meat comes from.
• Solitude: there is nothing quite like sitting in a forest or out on the open plains waiting for game to get close enough to harvest. There I find within myself the ability to let my mind wander in a daydream state and return to razor sharp focus instantly. I have had some of my wildest thoughts while waiting for deer and elk. I have also been never more focused for long periods of time.
• Companionship: There is a great camaraderie that happens before, during and after a hunt. Returning to camp after a day in the field full of solitude and sharing the sights, sounds and thoughts during the day is an experience everyone should experience in their life.
• Family: Since I have been hunting for only a short period of time I have not yet been able to enjoy hunting with my family save one year with my son Steven. I am looking forward to sharing the experience of the great outdoors with my younger children in the coming years. We visit the mountains whenever we can just to enjoy the great outdoors, but there is something special about the hunt that I believe needs to be enjoyed and passed on to the next generation.
• Independence: We live in an almost artificial world. As a handicapped person I have an overwhelming desire to prove to myself that I can survive in the elements without the assistance of government programs. In the wild there is no Americans with Disabilities Act. The elk, deer and other wild creatures, not to mention Mother nature cannot read the legislation. Sure the Colorado Division of Wildlife offers some handicapped programs and incentives, but for the most part I ignore them. For instance my hunting partner wonders why I choose to sit and wait for game instead of shooting from the vehicle. I want to experience the hunt, not a drive by shooting.