My name is Hunter and yes I do in fact. I must say I would've hunted even if my name wasn't Hunter. I joke a lot that I hunt because I have to live up to the name I was given, but through my hunting experiences, I have helped myself become the person I am today regardless of my name. Hunting is much more than what it seems like to someone who has never hunted before.

When you first start out hunting, it seems very boring and honestly like a waste of time, but I promise you will need one encounter with a deer to know why people do this every single year.

That first encounter with a deer in the woods is like no other. I still remember mine from 10 years ago. When that first deer walks in your heart rate go absolutely insane. There is a huge rush of adrenaline like something I have never felt before. You shake so bad because you're all nervous, anxious and excited all at once and your body doesn't know what to do. Let's just say for me, I did not harvest that deer that day. It looked right at me shaking like a goofball and ran away. It seemed like that moment lasted for hours when in reality it was probably only 5 minutes.

The first time you harvest a deer is so unique and amazing. Again, I was shaking so much, but this time I was able to harvest my first deer, and when you're 10 years old, it is something that is truly unreal. You are so proud of it and you go around telling literally anyone that will listen to your story. It is something you will never forget in your entire life. That moment is that big in a hunter's life.

There still is a lot more to hunting than just the hunt. There are moments like deer camp, campfire hunting stories and consuming the venison.

Deer camp is one of the best weeks of the entire year. It is when everyone comes up north to the cabin and hunts and just has endless fun with many laughs. You see people there that you may only see once a year. After you get done hunting, you come back and share stories of that day/night's hunt. When you get back there is just a bunch of drinking, laughs, and good times that are unforgettable every time.

It is those cheery times that is a big part of why hunting is much more than just the hunt. Being with people you love and everyone is enjoying themselves gives hunting that good ole' bonding time that is so valuable. Also, since it is so far up north there is no phone service so people actually talk to each other and still can have a grand time. Also, I know that my dad and I wouldn't be as close as we are if there wasn't that strong hunting bond that we have had for what seems like forever. Growing hunting with him has had such a positive effect on our relationship and it is something we couldn't have formed anywhere else.

With deer hunting, comes a lot of different stories that can be told. Whether that is of that big buck that you missed, or when you finally got the big buck that you've watched grow for so many years. I just remember hearing all of these stories when I was young, and the thing I wanted the most was to go out hunting and get my own stories to tell.

Another positive is the meat you get from harvesting a deer. Venison is a favorite food of mine and of a lot of hunters. It is very good and there is a lot of it when you harvest a single deer. It always keeps our freezer filled throughout the year. It is healthy, lean and tastes amazing.

Hunting has always had a positive influence on my life. If I could recommend people to hunt I absolutely would. From the bonding times with loved ones to the life-long memories made. Hunting is an amazing experience and everyone should at least try it and see how it makes them feel because I know you won't regret it.