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From Sunrise to Sunset

Jordan Swift Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

There’s just something about October and November that makes it my favorite time of the year, this being hunting season!

Hunting season has become one of my favorite things to do in the fall. There’s just something about sitting out in a tree stand from 30 minutes before sunrise, going back home for lunch, and then going back out until about 30 minutes after sunset. Most people aren’t awake before sunrise, so being outside, in the crisp fall air, hunting, I get to see the sunrise and nature “come to life.”

I started hunting around the age of sixteen with my grandpa. I would go every weekend with him during rifle/shotgun season (November-ish). This is a time for him and me to spend time together doing something that we both love. Every year up until now, I have had the opportunity to feed my family with deer meat. When we see a buck that I could have an opportunity to get, he will help me call it in and calm my nerves. It’s not easy to hunt. However, he reassures me with the fact that doing so puts food in my mouth. 

Two years ago, my papa and I both ended up getting a buck; however, it was on two different days. We were ecstatic for each other. My grandpa is one of the kindest, most supportive people I know. He’s always telling me that he loves me and is very proud of me. After I get a deer, I tend to cry as it is a very sad time. He always gives me a tight hug and tells me that what I did is not necessarily a bad thing, as it supports my family. 

As usual, last year, I had gone out hunting with my grandpa, and my parents had sat with each other in a different tree stand. We hadn’t seen anything all Thanksgiving week, that was until one of the very last days of hunting season. My mom and I both ended up getting a seven-point buck. We were both really excited for the other. This is a moment that we will forever cherish. It’s a different kind of feeling when you get to share it with another person. 

Now this year has been a little bit different. I’m hunting in October. October is crossbow season. My boyfriend had invited me to go and sit with him last weekend. And honestly, I wasn’t too sure how I’d like it. Usually, I sit in a tree stand that has full coverage and keeps me warm. Currently, I am sitting in a stand that has no coverage, and I have to layer up. After sitting with him last weekend, I can honestly say that I am LOVING it. This weekend I plan to go back out with him, and I CAN’T WAIT!

Even if you’re not a hunter, I highly suggest waking up one morning and sitting outside. There’s something about watching nature take its natural course, such as the sunset and the animals moving around. 

Jordan Swift is a second year writer at Her Campus at SBU chapter. She plans on writing about current trends, different events that have happened in her life, movies that she likes to watch, and how they relate to her life. Jordan is excited to get to know all her fellow Her Campus sisters. She can't wait to read all the creative writings that her chapter of Her Campus has to share with others in the world.

Jordan can be described as a senior at St. Bonaventure and is currently in the 3+2 program, with her undergraduate major being Public Health with an Occupational Therapy concentration. She has hopes of becoming an Occupational Therapist for adolescents in a school district. She has shadowed several different Occupational Therapists and has grown to love the profession.

When Jordan has free time, she looks forward to spending time with her family and friends, going on hikes, listening to music, watching movies, such as "Matilda" and "Hocus Pocus", and going on different spontaneous trips. She enjoys volunteering at local SPCAs, as well as volunteering at food banks.