Most of you now know I spent ten days in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness of Idaho on my elk hunt this year.  I want to share the images from that trip with you in this space and if you’d like to read a bit about it, you can proceed to the Danner blog where an essay about the trip is currently published and I have some of my field notes and images in a secondary post over on the Western Rise blog.  Additionally, if you are following my Instagram account, I have posted portions of my field notes from the trip in conjunction with a few images from the trip in my feed.

I photographed this hunt in an official capacity for both Danner as well as Seek Outside and it was so much fun to blend work with play with the insanity of a backcountry high hunt.  I’m still very happy with my work from this trip (so are those companies) (yay!).

This is one of the most amazing trips Robert and I have ever taken together.  I hope you feel the wildness while you sift through these images.

Also, I am aware that many of you do not hunt and probably wonder things about hunting all the time!  I encourage you to ask any questions you might have in my comment space!  One of the reasons I photograph and share stories about hunting big game and upland is because it’s what I have always done here — lived my life with conviction and shared what I am learning.  Also, I feel we live in a political and social atmosphere that is anti-omnivore, anti-firearm and anti-hunting.  I share because I want people to know the truth — that there is a way to take life, so that you can live, that is full of beauty, respect, love and holiness.  I am interested in clearing up any confusion there may be on the matter by educating folks as best as I can.  I am interested in changing hearts and minds on the matter.  It will be my pleasure to answer your questions as best as I can as well as bust any myths you may have been fooled into believing.  Inform yourself and the make up your own mind on the matter!  In the meanwhile, let me answer any questions you may have on how hunting legally works, how to get tags, general rules and regulations…ask away!

As always, huge thanks and love to Robert, for doing such a great job of teaching me how to hunt and how to hunt well (and there’s still so much to learn).

Lastly, please note:

There are a few images of a dead animal in this blog post since I had a successful deer hunt instead of a successful elk hunt — I feel these are beautiful, truthful images which is why I have shared them here.  My goal is not to offend your senses.  We hunt to eat.  If you are intolerant of firearms, omnivores and the practice of harvesting wild, clean meat from wild, clean lands please do not leave me nasty, judgmental comments in my comment section in an attempt to publicly shame me for my life choices.  Instead, please feel free to send me a respectful, intelligent email regarding your concerns on the matter:

thenoisyplume@gmail.com  

Thank you kindly.