Prudence Matters

It's a difficult thing to have to write about, but every hunter knows lots of folks who want to hunt with him. Sometimes these folks are relatives. Sometimes these folks are close relatives. And sometimes, the answer needs to be "no."

Let me be as plain as I can be here. Only go into the woods with those you trust. You can't mess around with this. Bows are dangerous things; safer to be sure than firearms, but still deadly. People who drink are not to be invited to accompany one on a hunting trip. I don't care how rich, well connected, or “smart” they are. Some people just don't get it. Dick Cheney's friend should have followed this advice: just say no! Yes, even if it is the Vice President of the United States calling. You don't want to be that guy who is getting talked about on T.V... "I feel horrible. I shot my friend."

If you are hunting together, you are going to talk. Ask yourself: is this person the sort of guy (or gal) that I want knowing me this intimately? If you are married, you ought not go hunting with someone of the opposite sex who is not your spouse. Ever. Ask yourself: if I share anything with this person, can they be trusted? Are they prudent? Do they keep confidences? If you have any question in your mind, don't invite them, and make gentle excuses when invited. This is too serious and risky to mess around with.

People you let in and share things with can hurt you, badly. You will talk with and share things with people you hunt with. Are you sure about this? Let an invitation to accompany you hunting be something rare, and coveted. When offered, let it be to a select few that you really trust so those you ask will feel special, and honored.

Aquinas has a lot to say about prudence. It is worth the time to check out. I don’t know much, but here is what I know: if someone lacks a head on one’s shoulders, don’t hunt with them. This has nothing to do with cognitive ability. One can have a PhD in astrophysics and have only a fraction of the prudence possessed by the bricklayer with 40 years of wisdom and calloused hands. You want a sure sign of prudence in a hunting partner? Disagree with him about something and see what he does. Does he carefully weigh what you say, consider it respectfully, but still hold his ground if he is right. More importantly is he willing to move if he is wrong? If that is the case, then he has prudence. Anyone else, don’t hunt with.

If the virtue of prudence is absent, keep that guy at arms length. You don’t need people in your life who lack prudence. It isn’t smart to share important things with folks like that. It’s okay to notice that someone lacks prudence. This isn’t being judgmental; in and of itself it is an example of prudence to take note of these things.

Now, here is the hard question we all need to ask ourselves. “Do I have prudence?” Here is what I know. Prudence is a gift, freely given, and inculcated with practice, and I need to work on it, because I do not have it naturally, and it takes faith AND work to get it and exercise it. That is part of what this blog is about: sorting out in an anonymous forum what is and what is not good, right, and prudent. There is no way I have all the answers.

Not sure if you have prudence? First rule: don’t sweat it. If you are concerned about it, that is a really good sign that you actually have it. If you are in doubt, here is the great news: all you need to do is pray for it. Then read, study, and think. What specifically are you weak on? Is it shot placement? Practice. Is it getting over your fear of knocking on doors ahead of time to inform people a property owner in the area has given you permission, and if you are successful, would they mind if you track through, and having the prudence to handle the conversation well? Prepare ahead of time and practice what you are going to say. Is it getting over a lack of concern about having proper paperwork, permission, and tagging procedures handled? It’s the law, and it is enlightened public policy in my state especially. Obey it!

All the above needs to be dealt with if you are hunting suburbia. It all involves prudence. And what about hunting with guys? Do you have the prudence to keep a confidence a confidence? Offer good advice? Be a friend? Handle a difficult situation? (Imagine an irate “anti” seeing you hunting their neighbors land, and going nuts.) Can you be the sort of prudent ally your buddy needs in that situation? Do you have his back? Are you prudent enough to deescalate in a difficult situation? Can your buddy do the same? Are you certain he’s got your back if necessary?

Hunting is a school for life. It isn’t some cute little activity that is done for food and a day out away from family, something that is somehow optional. If you are a hunter, you know this. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t hunt. If you weren’t this fired up, you would stop, and return to the insulated life of the modern. This is LIFE. Modern people don’t get it. They live in a fake little world where meat comes in packages and they can pretend nothing had to die for them to eat, and vegetables come wrapped in plastic with no labor but the energy it takes to throw it in the basket. Such people are disconnected, though not to be hated. You were one once before you took up the bow or the spade. They'll figure it out.

Not sure what to do? Plant a garden, or hunt, or do both, and reconnect with what is true, natural, real and good. Practice developing prudence in the process. Disconnect from this artificial life of “civilized” progress for a bit, and reconnect with your DNA. God put your eyes in front of your head, and not off to the sides, for a reason. Be at one with your nature, and develop prudence in the process, and grow. No more sitting around. Get up and do something. And for God’s sake get someone else up with you! (But only if you trust them)