Lessons from My Father’s Love of the Outdoors
Lessons from My Father’s Love of the Outdoors
Growing up, I learnt that my dad felt most at home under the open skies. Whether he was landscaping our front yard, forcing us out on a challenging trek, taking us camping or tracking game in the early morning light, his connection to the outdoors was undeniable—instinctive, almost primal. His (favourite) hobby is hunting, always has been. Almost every year, I watch him prance around the house, giddy and excited, preparing his equipment, testing his gear and double checking his guns when hunting season comes around.
My dad hunts moose, deer, elk and more. He’s an expert in speaking their language (literally!), tracking their footprints and guessing their location. But hunting season only lasts so long, so he turns to camping, fishing, hiking and exploring instead.
Now, my siblings and I often joke that in another life, he would have thrived as a farmer because he understands animals like no one else I know, and he would love to be out in the sun all day long, tending to his livestock and planting his crop.
If not a farmer, perhaps he would have been a full-time hunter or adventurer. But the life he lives today, although wonderful and lively, is one of sacrifices and hard work. As an immigrant, life was not so easy for him at first. He worked hard for many years and still does so that we could go out there and adventure whenever we wanted to.
Recently, I sat down and talked to him about his lifelong love of hunting and the outdoors. In this conversation, he shares not just tales of his hunting trips and hard-earned lifestyle, but the deeper idea behind living in sync with the wild.
Me: When did you start hunting?
My dad: I was 10 years old when I started hunting birds back in Pakistan. It was a hobby I developed with my classmates. When I immigrated to Europe, I didn’t get a chance to hunt for about 13 to 14 years due to being an immigrant, the regulations being stricter, not having the resources, you name it. In 2003, when you were about to be born, I moved to Vancouver, Canada, with your mom to give you and our family the best life we could offer. I finally started hunting with my friends again.
Why do you love hunting?
To me, hunting is a philosophy. I love the outdoors and everything outdoors. I have a keen interest in experiencing a primitive lifestyle. When I go hunt, it’s not just about finding sustenance and game. It’s about the environment I’m in, camping, natural life. Being one with the Earth. It’s about being out there and forgetting the hustle and bustle of daily life.
What’s your favourite memory from your hunting trips?
When I caught my first moose in 2016. We spent three days and nights in the woods. We had one day left for the hunt. On that last morning, we left camp just before sunrise, found our moose at first light and I whispered a prayer. When I shot it, I felt pretty good about myself. We would have meat for months to come.
Why do you take us camping every year?
Because I want you to do outdoor activities, develop a healthy physical, mental and spiritual health and realize how to take care of yourself. So you realize how important the outdoors is for your life.
Why do you enjoy the Great Outdoors so much?
It’s peace of mind. I leave all my stress inside. The deeper I go into the wild, the more the stress leaves my body. Observing nature and wildlife allows me to be grateful for what I have today.
What sacrifices have you, as an immigrant, made to be able to go hunting, camping or outdoors with your family today?
When you and your siblings were young, I was still trying to make ends meet and afford living in Vancouver. At one point we had no car. Taking you outdoors went as far as a walk to a park or around the neighbourhood. I had limited resources and not enough time or money to take you camping, hiking or cycling. It wasn’t until I established myself that we finally went on our first camping trip. And it became tradition every year since.
Is there anything you want to say to dads out there?
Take your kids outside. Take them away from their phones and show them the world. Take them to see the natural beauty that surrounds us. You won’t regret it.
