“Funny, you don’t look it” is a typical response when people learn I am a hunter. Aside from the fact I am gay, I am a gentle and thinking man. People find it hard to believe that I can choose to hunt down and kill a game bird or animal. Yes, hunting, unlike my gayness, is an ethical choice I make. It is a moral choice I keep to myself a great deal of the time as I find I have more venom spat at me for choosing hunting than for being gay. I concealed that I was gay and in a relationship with Mika from most of my hunting buddies. My hunting buddies are men and women from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. They are generally conservative. I feared I might lose them as friends and hunting buddies if they knew the truth, or at the very least, they would be uncomfortable knowing. It turns out they were not bothered in the least and are happy for me that I am in a long-term relationship with Mika. We remain friends and hunting buddies, taking to the field to pursue game and enjoy our sport. Everyone who takes up hunting has their reasons for doing so, but as for me, I have had a lifelong passion for hunting, the outdoors and wildlife. Continue reading →