Hunting and fishing to survive

[Doc]

I've been watching these TV shows on the people that live in the north country. Shows like " Mountain Men" and "Life Below Zero" where they put our passions, hunting and fishing and trapping, to the test of survival on a daily basis. Did you ever imagine what such a lifestyle would be like? It has it's appeal, but there are some nasty realities to living that way too.

[nyantler]

I often think of how different it was when you didn't have the safety net of being able to return to civilization if the life got too hard. There was no one to call to come save you if you got into trouble. No planes flying in provisions or carrying you to a hospital if you got sick. Much different when it is a choice and not the reality of life. Still an impressive feat if you can do it.

[First-light]

I think your mindset has to slow way down and priorities take hold. Slow and easy. 

[Four Seasons]

10 minutes ago, First-light said:

I think your mindset has to slow way down and priorities take hold. Slow and easy. 

Exactly. Much more thinking and a lot less reaction’s!

[avg. joe]

Gotta really wonder just how reliant they are on the land. I was on a fishing trip in Alaska several years back and the subject came up. The Captain and first mate laughed about one fellow that was on one of those shows. Basically the show had a lengthy segment of one fellow out hunting squirrels. The show made it out like getting a squirrel was a life and death issue. Long story short, they knew the guy and said he could have walked into town and bought a burger in less time than the show made it look like he was squirrel hunting!

[Doc]

You have to wonder if hunting, fishing, and trapping would become more like a job when you have to rely on it for eating. Maybe it becomes more of a job than a hobby.

I have to say that the landscape and scenery would be pretty easy to enjoy. The feelings of self-reliance would have to provide a certain amount of satisfaction. But a steady diet of fish and caribou sure seems to leave a lot of other vitamins and minerals lacking. Most of them have no garden, so they either buy vegetables from somewhere or have a supply of wild greens and such to balance their diet.

Also, I am surprised at the nice shiny new snowmobiles and ATVs that most of them seem to have at their disposal. Looking at the prices they are getting for those things you have to wonder where they are getting the money to afford them.

[surmn8er]

I think The Last Alaskans was the only realistic “wilderness” show. The others- Last Frontier, Mountain Men, and other such shows are pretty much staged.

[First-light]

11 hours ago, surmn8er said:

I think The Last Alaskans was the only realistic “wilderness” show. The others- Last Frontier, Mountain Men, and other such shows are pretty much staged.

Loved that show. The older guy and wife still travel to shows and such to talk about it. Came down to money that cancelled the show. Got too expensive to have crews out ther filming, that is what I read. 

[landtracdeerhunter]

Past generations of my relatives lived off the land, and I'm sure yours did too.  We could all write books,  of what we've heard.

A true realty, not some TV glammer account.

Edited Friday at 01:41 PM by landtracdeerhunter