Anything but typical L.A.
The way in which we hunt depends on varying game species, regions, hunting cultures and hunting techniques. But the passion and delight of being out in nature is the same everywhere in the world.
For our article, we talked to three young hunters from very different corners of the world about their first hunting experiences, how they got into hunting and what hunting means to them today. Episode #1 is about Brittany Boddington, author and television host in Los Angeles.
My father is a hunter but I did not grow up hunting with him. I didn’t discover my passion for hunting until after high school when I began traveling and fell in love with the beauty and variety of species in nature. I was raised in Southern California where hunting is not a popular activity and my childhood friends did not understand my father’s hunting.
My first hunt was for a wild boar in central California. I told my dad I wanted to start hunting but he was not convinced that I would be able to pull the trigger so he decided to take me on a wild boar hunt because they are not cute or cuddly animals and he thought it might be a bit easier for me.
We were set up on a ridge when the pigs came over the top of the opposing hillside and my dad told me to shoot the one with the black spot. I took aim and waited until the pigs paused for a moment and I shot. My dad looked at me and asked if I was okay. I could see the concern on his face but I answered back with only excitement, “Is it down? Can we go see?”.
I was so happy when we found the wild boar and my shot had gone exactly where I wanted. I was proud of myself for the success but I was also thankful to the animal for the meat I would get to take home to my family and enjoy with my friends.
I feel like these experiences give me perspective on life and help me understand what is important.
Brittany Boddington
Hunting is not just my passion or pastime, it is my way of life. Everything I do is in preparation for my next hunting adventure. I feel most alive when I’m hunting and outdoors in remote areas.
I feel like these experiences give me perspective on life and help me understand what is important. Hunting makes me a more patient person. It makes me think before I act.
My hunting days are anything but typical because I am usually in a new place hunting a different species than I have ever hunted before but some things stay the same. I always double check that I have all my important gear and make sure that all my equipment is in good shape. I always clean and check my optics to make sure that there is no dust or debris that would prevent me from being able to make the best shot possible.
I suppose I dream of hunting everything there is to hunt all over the world but I also dream of a world that accepts hunting as a necessity for the preservation of animals and doesn’t think of it as taboo.
I still learn new things on every adventure and I feel that I grow as a person on every trip.
Brittany Boddington
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