Historical Hero Outdoorsmen with the "Primal Gifts"

The old adage that the best way to improve the future is looking to the past holds true when discussing what it means to be a true outdoorsman. Obviously a few people come to mind right away. The exploits of great men like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Lewis and Clarke, and Teddy Roosevelt are legendary and contributed greatly to the hunting and outdoor heritage we enjoy today as Americans. But there are other men who have been known for great accomplishments, but maybe their love for the outdoors was overlooked. This is important because I feel that their passion for the outdoors, its pursuits, and the primal gifts they were given all contributed to the accomplishments of the their lives.

One great example is one of my favorite historical figures. Although when it came topics like owning slaves and removal of native Americans from their lands, Thomas Jefferson was not a saint. He did however organize one of the greatest real estate deals in all of history - the Louisiana Purchase. Shortly after the deal was over Napoleon Bonaparte said,"This accession of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will humble her pride." Besides the political significance of such an event, shortly after the purchase Jefferson dispatched Lewis and Clarke to "explore" this brave new territory. We can never be sure the extent of Jefferson's time spent in the woods or holding a cane pole on a river bank, but we can be sure that it took an outdoorsman with lofty dreams to think of such aspirations for his country.

Teddy Roosevelt has been called "the last great romantic". To be a romantic simply meant someone who might have lived in the period of Romanticism in the late 18th and into the 19th century in Europe and America. But more than just living in that time, a romantic, among other things, was known as being an emotional and sometimes even brash individual. One key characteristic was that they allowed themselves to feel that sense of awe from encounters with nature. You have probably had this feeling before. When you see a beautiful vista, meet a wild animal along the trail, or just have a blissful moment in the outdoors, and then the goosebumps come. The only difference between that feeling and being a romantic is simply romantics allow that feeling be their inspiration that drives their will to live and to do. That's what Teddy Roosevelt had and I call it the primal gift.

It is ironic that we should call President Roosevelt the last romantic because unfortunately I fear we are seeing less and less people with this nature driven inspiration and passion for life. Sure we see it in many but it doesn't manifest itself as being the will or heart of a true outdoorsman. One example of contemporary romanticism is Ted Nugent. That's right I said Nugent. If you look past the long hair, mutton chops, and crazy rockin' guitar player, you find a true outdoorsman who allows nature to inspire him not only while he is taking part in the wonderful recreation nature provides, but also allows his primal gifts to permeate his everyday life. But it is important to note that you don't have to be a famous president or a rockstar to epitomize the model outdoorsman and romantic. One of my good friends who is serving in the US Army currently is one great example. His love of nature is only trumped by his love of his family and his God.

I have just come to the realization that all the men I have mentioned (especially my army friend) possess a hero quality. Maybe being a romantic, an outdoorsman, and having the primal gift means that, whether you like it or not, you become a hero to somebody no matter how great or small.