The hunter's lifestyle

Growing up I was a little bit princess and a little bit tomboy.

I spent the majority of my childhood outdoors and to be totally honest, I had no idea deer even existed in East Gippsland, despite spending many school holidays camping in the Victorian High Country as a kid.

My husband Rob and I have always spent every spare moment outdoors, and while Rob was off hunting, I’d always be off trout fishing.

For some reason hunting just never really crossed my mind. I was never against it but I think I was just too obsessed with fishing at the time, that hunting didn’t get a second thought.

It wasn’t until 2014 (and most likely after hearing all about Rob’s hunting adventures) that I randomly woke up one day and I was like … I wanna go hunting and see what this is all about.

And from there, it has since turned into a mighty big passion for me to the point I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

There is certainly something about the Victorian High Country and sambar that ignites a whole new level of excitement and determination in me like nothing else.

The simplicity of being outdoors, is one I truly thrive off and I love sharing it with Rob and our two daughters Elsie and Bella.

From just two weeks of age we have had both the girls out with us camping, hunting and fishing.

Teaching our kids where meat comes from is really important to me and I strongly believe it’s so essential for them to learn and understand that the meat we harvest and eat as hunters is real and as fresh as it gets.

My love for not just hunting but the outdoors in general gives me pure excitement and a feeling of being really content on the inside.

For me, hunting is definitely more about the journey of where the hunt takes me rather than the harvest of an animal itself.

However the pull I get to venture into the unknown and the challenge to outsmart a mature sambar stag is what truly keeps me going back.

I am also crazily obsessed with finding casts. The whole antler cycle really amazes me and to be out doing what I Iove with the added bonus of finding a cast antler every now and then always has me smiling from ear to ear.

The part that I really love most about hunting is that it goes hand in hand with the healthy and well balanced life I love to live; being self-sustainable in harvesting my own fresh organic meat while keeping fit is something that I genuinely feel so lucky and grateful for.

I am definitely no expert when it comes to hunting but I do know I wasn’t born to be surrounded by four walls, cooped up inside. I sincerely do hope my kids and future generations can continue to enjoy this kind of lifestyle that we live and breathe.

- by Penny Cumming