E31: Hunting, Ethics and Conservation - Joel Strimling on the complexity of hunting
Episode 31 of We are Open Circle’s Beyond Listening Podcast saw Joel Strimling come on to the show to share his experiences as a hunter, both personally and as a board member of the Oregon Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA).
His transition from no hunting experience into adopting a hunting lifestyle as an adult.
Why the morality of hunting is far more complex than discussions tend to suggest.
The work of BHA in preserving natural land for public access and wildlife.
Joel Strimling is a hunter and board member of the Oregon Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. He advocates for hunting as a means of preservation and food gathering, though above all Joel strives to maintain access to public lands, preserve endangered species and reap the rewards of experiencing life in natural habitats.
Here are some of the key insights from the conversation...
After initial trepidation, he now reflects on hunting as a positive change in his life.
”When I started, I didn't know, I thought I might try and go shoot something and just feel terrible and just be like: nope! And I was okay with that. I said to myself, if that's the way it is, that's the way it is. But at least I'll understand it and I'll have a better appreciation of the food that I eat. And I found that actually I not only could do it but I quite enjoyed it. It really changed my perspective again on my place in the world as well as interactions with others who have lifestyles that maybe I wasn't exposed to growing up. It really was a beneficial exposure both in the sense of culture, thought and eating.”
Immersing himself in nature gave him the chance to encourage huge personal growth.
“It really allowed me to expose myself to a larger natural world that we all read about, we see on TV... but actually interacting with that and honestly becoming part of it. And once I did, it was just like, ‘Okay, I don't want to stop doing this.’ It opened up my heart and my mind and again made me want to challenge myself more.”
By encountering death on hunting expeditions he has grown to appreciate life more.
”And if anything, maybe it makes me take life so much more seriously, right? In the sense of enjoyment of it and understanding that this animal is now going to provide meals to my friends and family and I got to do this amazing thing, I got to go be part of this natural world. It ties you back to that sense of that struggle. And it's weird to think that taking a life and death somehow ties you to life more but... that's what that does. It ties you to life and living more.”
The best place to find Oregon Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is here.
