The Bear Hunter's Paradox

Bears intrigue me.  They're intelligent, amazing, beautiful wild creations.  It amazes me how quietly they can move through the nastiest, thickets, tree strewn woods with barely a sound, and appear like apparitions right before your very eyes.  In fact, if you asked me what my favorite Big Game is I would tell you it's the Black Bear and the reasons are endless. The Paradox lies in the fact that I'm a huge fan of Ursus Americanus, but yet I have a goal like all bear hunters that enter the woods, and it's to destroy, and take the life of one of these magnificent creatures. For those of confused by this "heartless primordial endeavor" let me explain. You may soon see why I don't consider it to be either of those things.  In my life, hunting is basically religion.  Hunting gives me purpose, and it gives me reason to keep moving forward--Maybe tomorrow!  Without the hunt, I would lose my identity.  Hunting has given me more great memories with family and friends then I could ever ask for, not to mention some of the best home cooked meals I've ever feasted on. It's the pursuit, the brotherhood, the hard work and the lessons learned fused together with some of my highest highs and lowest lows, that lead to some of the best experiences, in my opinion, that any human could ever have.  Humans are wired to hunt and one simple fact remains--Life Feeds on Life. Sure, one can purchase meat at the store, all tidy and clean-wrapped up and ready for consumption- but they are still guilty of murder by proxy. Just because one doesn't do the dirty work doesn't mean their hands are free of the blood spilled that created the meal they're about to eat.  I like to make it more personal.  I'm going to be the one to take this animal's life and then celebrate its unwanted sacrifice by enjoying its delicious organic flesh all year long. It has nothing to do with my opinion or your opinion of right and wrong but rather an acceptance on my part that certain things are simply what they are. I did not create the game of life and death and its intricate rules, nor do I have any authority to stop doing those things which I find to be a completely natural act.  It is what it is, and I choose to participate.  This is why I love hunting bears.  My license and tags along with millions of other hunters goes towards the protection and conservation of these great and noble beasts.  It is us "The Hunters" who spend the time and the money to pursue these wild things that undoubtedly ensures there will still be wild things for generations to come.  So the next time some ant-hunting propaganda crosses your path about how bear hunting is unnecessary and cruel, or it's simply a sport filled with testosterone laden, pride filled, blood thirsty backwoods freaks, please do think again.  It's a way of life for us bear hunters.  It's the meat we put in the freezer and the rug we put on the wall.  It's the close encounters and the near misses; it's the feeling that comes from staring into the eyes of such a wild creature only steps away and it's the outsmarting all of their senses on their own turf that creates the ultimate experience. It's as natural as taking a deep breathe or trying to perpetuate our species.  Like I stated before, the Black Bear is my favorite big game animal. I love seeing them in the woods, I love knowing they are there, and I love to hunt them yet I know what that ultimately means for at least one bear if I'm lucky.  This is the bear hunter's Paradox. However, it's something I'm willing to live with, and will continue to accept, and celebrate, until the day comes when I can enter "The Bear Woods" no more.  May that day be many more years and many more wonderful memories from today.