It was named “Clubhouse Point” years ago, and it was always a prime spot where black bears would lay during the daytime and whitetail deer would hold up until their nighttime routine of feeding across the tops in search of acorns or traveling to the nearby fields to feast on farm crops. The top was several 100 yards wide and stretched for more than a half of a mile to where the drive would begin, while the sides were steep, laden with rocks and large boulders and a heavy stand of mountain laurel, making it an ideal place to put on a drive for bear. At the base of the hillsides, the terrain flattened out, and the hardwood forest of oaks, maple, and the occasional ironwood trees was the place where the watchers were placed in hopes of having a chance at taking one of Pennsylvania’s prized game animals – a mature black bear.
This would be the last of the three drives for the bear that would occur that day, and standing there as a watcher while waiting for the drivers to get into position to begin the drive allowed plenty of time to reflect and realize just how much there is to be thankful for. Thanksgiving Day would occur this week, but all of the things that we, as hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, can be thankful for will stretch out over the year and across a lifetime.
Life is short, and hunting seasons are even shorter. Realistically, from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas and on into New Year’s Day, ‘tis the season to be thankful! Here, then, in the spirit of the Holiday Season, are a few things to be thankful for:
Our Great Outdoors: Spending as much time as possible in the outdoors provides a privilege to witness nature at its finest—from hearing the first gobble from an old Tom on his roost at sunrise to watching grouse, turkeys, deer, and the occasional bear as they travel through the woods and along the streams. Brilliant sunsets signal the end of another day and present the promise of unknown things to come tomorrow. Hunting teaches patience, perseverance, and a great respect for nature.
Time With Family and Friends: Hunting is a time-honored family tradition that is often passed down from generation to generation. Whether spending time in the woods with a parent, teaching a youth to shoot, or swapping stories at camp, the bond between family and friends while hunting is unmatched in any other endeavor.
The Thrill of the Hunt: From the earliest days of small game hunting to graduating to hunting for big game, there is nothing comparable to the adrenaline rush of spotting game, tracking their movements, and then executing a perfect shot. We are constantly reminded of our role as hunters in the part we play in proper wildlife management and are always rewarded by the memories of a day afield, even when we don’t bring home the game. Every hunt is different and presents new obstacles and challenges, often elusive game and the opportunity to learn new lessons, making success even sweeter!
Food for the Table: There is a great feeling of satisfaction when you are able to provide healthy game meat for the dinner table. When you bring home venison, any of the upland game birds and animals, waterfowl, and even bear meat, you are supplying your family with free-range, non-GMO protein that is free of any government-approved chemicals. Along with the benefit of having the healthiest protein available, every meal – from venison burgers to wild turkey soup or smoked bear sausage – carries along with it a unique story and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
The Hunting Community: Every member of the hunting community shares a unique camaraderie. From the earliest of times when a new hunter receives advice and encouragement from an old pro or mentor to the days of sitting around the card table at camp and swapping tales of past hunts, being a member of the hunting community truly enriches your life experiences.
Camp Life: When you consider each of the previous factors that we, as hunters, should be thankful for – each and every one is enhanced greatly when you are fortunate enough to be a member or guest at one of Pennsylvania’s remarkable hunting camps. From small camps with fewer than a dozen members to the largest of camps with nearly 100 or more members, each camp provides the chance to greatly increase all the benefits of being a hunter. Wild game dinners, renewing and enhancing friendships, interacting with nature, and enjoying the crackling of the fireplace, along with the smell of bacon frying and coffee brewing before sunrise, are but a few of the rewards of camp life!
