“To those devoid of imagination, a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.” – Aldo Leopold
Why are we drawn to wild places? Do you ever think about that? What is it in our convoluted human makeup that compels us to venture into remote corners and get as far away from everything and everybody as we can?
As a hunter, I have always felt the urge to explore. What is over that ridge? Where does this old tram road go? If I follow it, will I find new places with a lot of game untouched by other hunters? Probably not, but the draw to explore it and find out is still there.
I think non-hunters feel a similar draw just to see the wild, seemingly untouched locales and all that they hold.
Some animals are synonymous with wilderness. Eagles and mountain lions are generally not found in a city park. You can hunt for squirrels in the wooded lot behind your Uncle Bill’s barn, but an elk hunt usually requires a trip to a more remote area. You can say the same for many fish. Bass and bluegills can be had in a local farm pond, but salmon and arctic char may require some travel.