Sometimes you need to see passion thru someone else's eyes

[Debbi]

I just did what I never thought I would do - and I really meant it. I told my husband that I wanted to learn how to hunt - really. We've been married for 13 1/2 years and together for another year. I've gone hunting with him. I've sat under a tree in the rain, and I've sat beside hay bales when it was too early for anything to be awake. I've even learned how to shoot a rifle but my heart was never in it. After the year we have had (and we have climbed mountains to get where we are), I truly want to "see" what he sees. I may not love it but I will never know until I really try. He's also OK if I can't take the "shot" when it comes. I have also asked him to see my passion. He has always been so tolerant of my photography - sitting in the cold and dark for sunrise or planning vacations to that "perfect place". He has agreed to actually look at "my world thru a lens". Neither one of us may become passionate about the others "love" but at least then, we understand. Isn't that what we are missing in this world - understanding?

ps. I am not asking for any political statements at all. What are your experiences understanding what you don't in this world?

[Westx]

Debbi good for you and him. My wife was in the deer stand for the first deer I ever shot. We both love the outdoors and we both love photography but she is more the point and shoot type that just can't figure out how to use a camera off auto mode LOL but she still loves taken pictures so we are always together doing most everything. We both love guns and shot pistols together for many years until we had kids and I got rid of all our guns. She could never learn to shot a rifle though because she is right handed and left eye dominant but she didn't mind setting in the stand watching me shot. I would say we both like to do what the other does that is until it comes to Facebook LOL. I can't stand it or any other social networking site.

As is said good for both of you and hope things work out for the best for both. Oh and we have been at this for 25 years come February.

[Patti Edens]

Debbi, I think what you are doing is very wise and will go a long way in achieving some common ground and understanding. Randy and I have been through similar experiences in our marriage and found that it really does help to understand someone when you look at the world from their perspective.

In our case, he took scuba diving lessons so he could go diving with me when we were dating. I was impressed that he would do that for me and he ended up a better diver than I ever was.

He was fascinated with flying and talked about it all the time. The thought of flying in a small plane scared me to death. But, after about 10 years of marriage, I finally decided to put my fears aside and bought him a one hour flight lesson at a local airport. We took a Cessna 172 (4 seater) instead of the 152 (2 seater) so I could ride along in the back seat.

At some point during the flight I went from clasping my Ziploc bag to asking questions (instructor gave us both headsets), taking photos and having a great time. When we landed, the instructor asked Randy what he thought. He shrugged his shoulders and looked at me. I told him if he didn't take lessons, I would! And I meant it.

He did and got his pilot's license. It is an incredible rush when you are in control of a plane soaring thousands of feet over the ground. For many years, Randy stayed current and we went on many flights together and enjoyed every one. It opened up a whole new world for both of us.

If you do manage to take that shot, you will likely feel what all hunters feel and you will understand. But, even if you don't take the shot, just lining it all up and knowing that you could take it and be successful will be very close to the feeling of a successful hunt.

On future hunts, you could be the official photographer. You can get some great photos of sunrises. Just watch that shutter click at the crucial times. Much of the joy of hunting is the same as nature photography - just looking through a scope instead of a lens.

[Breezy]

How awesome is that!?!
DH wouldn't want me to go hunting with him. I know I couldn't shoot the deer, but he would be mad cause I am sure I wouldn't shut up long enough for anything to walk up lol.
But congrats on "understanding" each other.

[Full curl]

Good for you. Lots of photo opps at the deer lease. I'm passionate about bowhunting, but I can't go without my camera. Good luck.

[snydersnapshots]

Debbi, I think that's fantastic. With an attitude like that, I think you two are going to be stuck with each other for a very long time!

[Linda Potter]

I go to the deerlease with my hubby, he shoots with his gun and I shoot with my camera. Works for us! Happy Hunting!

[dwilliams35]

I do both: same gear, same tactics, etc.: over the last few years, I'll take a deer early in the weekend, then switch to a camera: like was mentioned here, there's a heck of a lot of shooting opportunity all over deer country. I've done what I can to get my wife "on board" here: I'm not going to tell her to start hunting, but I do make an effort to put together hunting and fishing trips where she could go along and have fun: Go to Port Aransas instead of Seadrift: Dove hunts in San Antonio instead of Freer... etc. etc.

Like I always say, if I can convince her it's a weekend getaway, the hunting and fishing parts don't count against me...