What is the Greatest Gift of All?

Today’s blog post comes to us from Max Rowe – host of Just Kill’n Time.

What is the greatest gift of all? As we consider all the wonderful moments that have happened in 2012 and all that is before us in 2013…wow, think on that my fellow students of all things wild. If we let our minds ponder that question, the answer can, and should be, very difficult to find. (Yes, this isn’t an ‘easy way out’ post.) As complex as the question is the answer – though personal and of a different variation for each of us – is FAR more complex.

Max Rowe

For me the greatest gift one can give is their life. From religious beliefs to the neighbor next door who chooses to put themselves in harm’s way. The act of selflessly thinking of the greater good over one’s self is humbling. I am SO thankful to be living in this great land we call the United States of America today. I am awed by the knowledge of how many people have given what I consider their greatest gift so I can sit here in freedom and write this to you.

Having been in the outdoors since I was six years old in the company of men who believed that hunting was/is our natural given right, I have always understood that when I as a hunter take an animal, I received a gift. Amidst the wondrous excitement of the moment, during the rush that is natural and expected, I am always humbled by the simple weight of the moment. The animal has given me its greatest gift. And I in return promise it and myself that the gift will not be wasted or disrespected. It’s how it was with the Native Americans for eons and how it should be for us today as hunters. No apologies for our natural hunter’s heart that beat in our chests, no regrets, but there should always be respect. I hope you already know of or find that respect. Once you do it will snowball into greater self-respect and then respect for others in general.

Life is a journey; death is a part of that journey. Our actions define who we are, and how the world remembers us. The world is watching us as hunters and as people. When we show them we understand the greatest gift of all, we bring honor and purpose to the act and art of hunting.

So if we are ever able to share the woods together and an animal goes down, indulge this ole boy while I give thanks and show respect to nature and the animal for what I believe is the Greatest gift of all! Good and safe hunting my friends!