the life of a hunter's wife
losing your husband to the woods for months at a time
Have you ever seen those shirts that read “(n.) most patient; married to the dedicated hunter; seasonal widow; his ultimate trophy.”? Welp, friends, this rings true season after season.
IT’S CALLED THE LIFE OF A HUNTER’S WIFE.
Jon and I started dating in 2013. Being from a smaller city (Naples, FL), I knew minimally about hunting but enough to know it was a fun adventure. I’m always down for an adventure, so hunting quickly became a fun outlet to adventure with Jon. Our very first hunting trip (pictured on the right) made me realize how dang much I love new adventures, being outdoors and searching for new things (searching being the non-hunters term for hunting). I will admit I’m a more go-with-the-flow type person who typically says ‘yes’ before realizing what she’s getting herself into. I’m an ‘I’ on the DISC profile, for those of you familiar with that assessment. But never-the-less, it was an adjustment when events and plans were scheduled around hunting season dates. Throughout the past 8 years, it’s been a fun adventure we often share together, but there has been adjustments along the way.
HOW TO ADAPT TO THE HUNTING LIFESTYLE.
Though it may sound dramatic to “adapt to the hunting lifestyle”, it’s genuinely a thing. After talking to the girlfriends or wives of many hunters throughout the past 8 years, it’s comical to see the similarities and things they often say.
1. Check the dates: Putting the hunting season dates on the calendar helps eliminate miscommunication, double booking events, and allows for you to get excited about hunting season with them. It’s not uncommon for hunters to say “March-May is booked” or “I’m not available any weekend in March-May because it’s hunting season”. It’s comical how many times hunters will get frustrated if someone plans a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower or any other type of event during hunting season. So really, check those dates!
2. Take an interest in it: It’s easy for wives to get frustrated or dismiss the hobby as a whole. I’ve found that some of my favorite memories and times I’ve seen Jon most in his element have been on hunts with him. When I take an interest in hunting have been some of my favorite conversations, because he comes alive when talking about hunting more than most subjects. When I ask questions about why something works the way it does, why turkeys act the way they do or how the seasonal patterns shift, it creates a shared hobby between the two of us. Though I may not go out every hunt and want to be in the woods every weekend with him, it’s a fun way to connect with him.
3. Use hunting season for gals trips: If hunting isn’t your thing, this is a great time for the gals weekends! I know plenty of wives who prefer to go out for the weekend with friends or visit friends in the bigger cities (#preCOVID). For me, it’s a time to have guilt-free “me” time. Maybe plan some of your trips throughout the year in that time frame and know that you can spend some of the time you would’ve spent with friends for some fun couple time.
Happy wife, happy life. And vice versa.
This phrase “happy wife, happy life” makes me chuckle, but I also think it goes both ways. Take some time this hunting season to spend some time in the woods with him and some time being independent and doing your own thing.
Happy Hunting!
JK Calls
Very well put Ashley, Now, from a hunter’s wife of 29 years, may I add to the story…hates flying on airplanes but is not an issue if it has to do with going on a hunting trip…mmmm?? All fears go out the window…hunting is that important! 🦌