First Time in the Woods: My Introduction to Hunting

I never imagined my first experience hunting would be for black bear, deep in the middle of nowhere outside of Windsor, North Carolina. But there I was—bundled up before daylight, nerves buzzing, stepping into a whole new world with a good friend who invited me to come see what it was all about.

I didn’t go out there expecting to be a hunter. I went to feel it out—to see what it would be like, how I would react, and whether I could even handle it. Surprisingly, I did. In fact, I handled it much better than I thought I would.

We were off the grid, no cell service, surrounded by still woods and the kind of quiet that makes you more aware of everything—your breath, your heartbeat, the

crunch of leaves. It was intense and humbling. We were with a caravan of other black hunters and some were in charge of running dogs. This was also new to me. I was in new territory in every way, and yet, it felt right. I listened. I watched. I asked questions. And in the middle of it all, I met new people who were kind, patient, and willing to share their knowledge and passion.

That trip opened the door. Since then, I’ve been on several duck hunts—something I never thought I’d say. And I’ve got my first turkey hunt coming up soon.

What’s helped me lean into this new world is understanding why people hunt. Learning that hunting, when done responsibly and legally, can actually help manage populations and support conservation gave me peace of mind. Nothing is wasted—these animals are harvested for food, and the respect that hunters have for the wildlife they pursue is something I’ve come to deeply appreciate.

What surprised me most is how technical hunting is. It’s not just walking into the woods and hoping for the best. There’s strategy involved—knowing the animal’s habits, learning what gear works best, and understanding what calls or decoys to use and why. Every animal has a different behavior, a different rhythm, and different tactics that work best. The amount of knowledge, patience, and respect required is something I underestimated until I was out there in it.

I’m still new, still learning, still asking a hundred questions every time I go out. But I’ve really come to enjoy the challenge, the connection to the outdoors, and the community around it all. Just like with fishing, hunting has started to teach me new ways to slow down and reconnect—with nature, with myself, and with the food on my plate.

I’m excited to keep learning and growing in this space. Who knew that one bear hunt would shift something in me?

Stay tuned for how the turkey hunt goes—I have a feeling it’ll be another one to remember.