What you learn if you spend enough time hunting wild game

[2rocky]

You learn that your mind will go places in the dark that makes you uncomfortable because there is no external stimuli to distract you. That you will think about the worst case scenario first and be a pessimist.....Until you resign yourself to the inevitability of some things and commit yourself to being present in your surroundings.

That you feel uncoordinated those first few days/hours out in the woods/hills/mountains, until you get tired enough to slow down. Then all of a sudden your footsteps aren't so loud and you don't have to look down to see where you are placing your feet each step.

That everything sounds and looks like a deer or elk for the first few hours. The harder you TRY to see them the harder it is. Once you relax, then they just pop out like they walked in front of you in your living room.

You learn that "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" applies to moving through the terrain. You don't walk straight up hills you can sidehill around, you seek out places on a hillside that open up a view of the whole ridge.

That you become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Rather your definition of "comfort" becomes broader. Cold isn't as cold as it was a few days ago. Sore muscles might ache but don't hurt per se.... the rifle isn't as heavy on your shoulder...you feel more at ease in your surroundings and not as much an outsider...

 

[Bullshot]

You learn what every predator innately knows - that when you really see and sense your quarry as food, you are truly hunting. Hunt (or fish) when actually hungry and reliant on what you kill or catch, even for 1 meal, and see what I mean.You will focus differently, work harder, try new tactics, and new tactics again, until you succeed. Imagine if we harnessed that effort on every outing!

The 100% take it to the bank, most simple lesson I have learned - Spend enough time in the woods and stuff just happens.