To read how much he loved animals and nature and how there was zero conflict in his mind between having an absolute respect for wildlife and his love for hunting. He lived a balance between conservation and game hunting that is worth emulating.

I don’t hunt but I share TR’s love for the wilderness and outdoors. I think anything that brings us into the wilds is good policy, assuming it’s managed appropriately. As a backpacker, when I talk to hunters I can sense a similar zeal for the outdoors and I love the conversations we have.

What does annoy me though are big game hunters in Africa that basically roll up jeeps to a giraffe and kill it for no real purpose other than to get a shot on instagram. I don’t share the same kinship with these folks and I’m not sure there is a real love of nature in that endeavor . I get that those countries need the money and maybe it serves some kind of management purposes, but I feel I have little in common with type of a hunt.

As a general concept though, I like hunting and how it’s handled in America and appreciate the values it instills in hunters and their kids.